Jetour’s answer to the Toyota Prado is coming to South Africa

After Chery announced its Globalisation 3.0 strategy, which will shift Jetour upmarket, the Chinese automaker confirmed that this will include the introduction of its flagship G-Series SUV.

Jetour South Africa told TopAuto that the G-Series will create further opportunities for the brand to expand into the premium off-road and high-quality mobility segments.

“The G-Series represents an important part of this direction, combining off-road performance with driving comfort and advanced technology,” it said.

Currently, the G-Series consists of only one offering, the G700, which was unveiled in Dubai nearly a year ago.

It was positioned as an all-terrain premium hybrid off-road SUV blending the ruggedness of an off-road vehicle with the comfort of an urban SUV.

As a result of its heavy focus on adventuring, the G-Series has been developed to deliver powerful performance on land, water, and adaptability in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments.

During the range’s launch, President of Jetour International, Ke Chuandeng, said the G700 is more than an SUV, calling it a “commitment to protecting dreams, loved ones, and the earth we share”.

While its local pricing and specifications, as well as its launch window, remain under wraps for now, we can look to its native China for the specifications of a car sold under the brand’s “Zongheng” badge.

Naturally, it isn’t guaranteed that its Chinese specifications, or specifications in markets like the Middle East, will translate to South Africa.

However, it is unlikely that Jetour would change too much about what will likely be its flagship local SUV offering, ready to rival established players like the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

What to expect from the Jetour G700

First of all, the G700 is quite sizeable, measuring roughly 5,198mm long, 2,050mm wide, and 1,956mm tall, and sporting an expansive 2,870mm wheelbase.

This body is built on Chery’s GAIA Architecture, which integrates its super hybrid iDM-Off-road system.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system combines a longitudinally mounted turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with two front- and rear-mounted electric motors.

Combined, the system delivers a whopping 665kW and 1 135Nm, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, despite its stature.

It also boasts a 34.13kWh battery that enables a 100km electric-only range and contributes to the over 1,000km combined range offered by its 8.8l/100km fuel consumption.

As a dedicated off-roader, the vehicle is fitted with a triple differential lock configuration with front and rear electronically controlled clutches, offering more than 20,000Nm of locking torque for extreme traction.

Alongside its Smart Continuous Damping Control (CDC) damping with active air suspension, the G700 is also equipped with a full-domain intelligent control system, offering 14 drive modes.

Inside, the luxury SUV features five, six, or seven Cloud Seats, finished in premium leather and offering ventilation, heating, eight-point massage, and extendable leg rests.

The G700’s cabin also features a professionally tuned Lexicon audio system found in other top premium vehicles, to ensure each passenger benefits from a VIP listening position.

Throughout the cabin, the driver and passengers can expect a 35.4-inch dashboard screen, a 15.6-inch floating screen, a 17.3-inch rear ceiling entertainment screen, and an exclusive 8.88-inch rear climate screen.

Earlier this year, Jetour also launched the factory-customised G700 Topfire, raising the SUV and widening its track to bring the total dimensions to 5,272mm long, 2,150mm wide, and 2,043mm high.

This model also features a redesigned grille, wheel arches, side bars, and front and rear bumpers, MAN nitrogen-filled shocks and Atlas AT off-road tyres.

Jetour also swapped its powertrain for a CDM-O Super Hybrid system and a 2.0TD hybrid-specific engine, but it remains to be seen if this model ever makes it to our shores.