Omoda is gearing up for a product offensive in South Africa that will include at least three new models, with a fourth option still to be confirmed.
The carmaker recently celebrated the launch of the C9 flagship SUV, where senior staff members announced that the company is entering the second phase of its South African rollout.
This phase will introduce the new C3, E5, and C7 crossovers, while the C9 may receive an additional variant with a hybrid powertrain.
Lots to look forward to
The only model with a confirmed release date thus far is the C7, which will touch down in South Africa in the second quarter of 2025.
As its name implies, this will split the difference between the C5 and C9 in terms of size, measuring 4,621mm (L) by 1,872mm (W) by 1,673mm (H).
It is classified as a midsize SUV, so it will likely be taking on models like the VW Tiguan, Toyota Rav4, Kia Sportage and Ford Territory when it arrives next year.
Depending on the market, the C7 is being sold as a petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery-electric (BEV) model, and it is currently unclear which versions will be brought here.
At the Festival of Motoring earlier this year, a staff member mentioned that the C7 will be fully electric, but given the state of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in South Africa, it seems unlikely that this will be the only option we’ll receive.
It’s more probable that the C7 will initially be sold with petrol and PHEV systems, with a fully electric model to be introduced at a later stage.
The combustion plant is the same 1.5-litre block found in the C5, which pumps out 115kW and 230Nm.
The PHEV units marry this engine with an electric motor, but the company has yet to reveal its performance stats.
It did, however, disclose that the C7 PHEV can travel 95km on just the battery, with a total driving range of 1,200km when both the petrol and electric systems are utilized.
Speaking of electric cars, one vehicle that is still in the pipeline for South Africa is the E5 – a BEV version of the C5 crossover.
This was initially scheduled to appear in the second half of 2024, but Omoda and its sister brand Jaecoo have been internally reshuffling their line-ups to better suit their long-term goals.
As a result, the electric Jaecoo J6 is expected to debut first in 2025, but the Omoda shouldn’t be far behind.
The E5 uses a front-mounted electric motor with 150kW and 340Nm, which is powered by a 61kWh battery good for 450km of driving.
The last vehicle confirmed for South Africa is the C3, which has yet to be shown off in an official capacity.
However, Chinese media outlet Autohome showed off pre-production photos of the C3, which strongly resembles the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, albeit with styling more reminiscent of what we’ve seen on the C5.
This makes a lot of sense, given that the C3 will naturally fit in as the brand’s new entry-level model when it reaches South Africa.
The small crossover is probably sourcing the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol drivetrain from the Tiggo 4 based on other collaborations between the nameplates, which produces 108kW and 210Nm.
Pre-production Omoda C3
The final model is still under investigation for our market, but Omoda has expressed interest in a PHEV derivative for the flagship C9.
The C9 only recently went on sale in South Africa with two trim levels, both of which feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged mill with 192kW and 400Nm.
In China, the C9 PHEV uses a smaller 1.5-litre petrol plant, which generates 115kW and 220Nm on its own. This is linked to a front-mounted e-motor, which puts out a separate 165kW and 390Nm.
Combining these systems gives the SUV an output of 280kW and 610Nm, and its 19.4kWh battery allows for 83km of electric driving.
There’s also a more powerful dual-motor option with a combined reading of 445kW and 920Nm, which can travel for 150km thanks to a bigger 34.4kWh cell.
It remains to be seen whether Omoda will confirm these entries for South Africa, given they are sure to be quite pricey, but it’s worth noting that one of the C9’s main rivals, the BMW X3, is also getting a PHEV option, so the Chinese carmaker may want to compete in this segment after all.
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