Omoda has a lot in store for South Africa, as it plans to launch no less than four cars here in the near future.
This includes the new C3 and E5 crossovers, as well as a new powertrain for the C9, though these products have yet to be given an official release date.
This is not the case for the C7, however, which is greenlit to make an appearance in the second half of 2025.
What to expect
As its name implies, the C7 will be a new mid-range model that slots between the C5 and C9 already on sale in South Africa, measuring 4,621mm (L) by 1,872mm (W) by 1,673mm (H).
Depending on the market, the SUV is sold with a variety of powertrains, including a petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fully-electric option.
Unfortunately, Omoda has yet to confirm which versions we will receive, but it’s reasonable to assume that the electric one is the least likely, given the general state of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in South Africa.
Adding to this is the fact that the company has still not launched the E5 here, which is the electric version of the C5 that was meant to arrive in late 2024.
Though it’s possible that Omoda could launch the more expensive EV first given that most of the current audience for EVs in South Africa seems to be geared towards the premium segment with units like the Volvo EX30 and BMW iX1.
The petrol engine is therefore the safest bet, as it happens to be the same 1.5-litre turbocharged block found in the C5, which produces 115kW and 230Nm.
The PHEV system uses the same engine but features an additional electric motor, and Omoda claims that this unit will be able to travel for up to 95km on just the battery, significantly cutting down on a household’s weekly fuel bill.
Combining the PHEV’s electric range with the petrol tank also means that the C7 will be yet another hybrid in South Africa capable of travelling over 1,000km between stops, assuming it is coming to our market.
As for its equipment, the C7 is expected to feature many of the luxuries already seen on the C5 and C9, including a leather multifunction steering wheel, electric front seats, leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a Sony sound system, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, and two large screens for the driver and infotainment functions.
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