Forget your electric vehicles. For many buyers it will be hard to ignore a stylish SUV that delivers no range anxiety. With an impressive range of 1200km, the Jaecoo J7 PHEV (plug-in hybrid) will go on sale in February 2025, according to a Facebook announcement from Jaecoo Malaysia.
The J7 PHEV, which was first shown in October 2024, is expected to come in a single front-wheel-drive specification and start at RM170,000.
The J7 PHEV Generates A Beefy 347hp
A 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four Miller-cycle engine, an 18.3 kWh battery pack, and a dedicated hybrid gearbox (DHT) power this Jaecoo SUV that generates a beefy 347 horsepower when combined and 525 Nm of torque.
The J7 PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid to support DC fast charging. It can be charged with 3.3 kW AC power through a three-pin socket, 6.6 kW AC power through a wallbox, or 40 kW DC fast charging.
The primary feature of this system, which Jaecoo has dubbed the “Super Hybrid System,” is its capacity to function in fully-electric (EV) and pure engine driving modes in addition to parallel and series hybrid configurations.
Jaecoo Malaysia recently organised a cross-country journey from Singapore to Hat Yai, Thailand, showcasing the potential of the J7 PHEV. Five PHEVs, having a maximum range of 1,427.5 km, made the trip without the need to recharge or refuel.
The official WLTP-rated range of 1,200 km was surpassed by all five vehicles. The Jaecoo J7 PHEV also recorded a maximum EV range of 108 km, surpassing the official range by 18 km..
CARLIST THOUGHTS
If you’re looking for a car to potter around town in, then an EV is a good buy. But if you need a car that delivers real range—like anything north of 1000km—well, an SUV in the mold of this J7 PHEV might be in your future. Malaysia won’t have to wait long for the formal launch ceremony, which is scheduled for later this month. Watch this space for our official coverage of the debut of the Jaecoo J7 PHEV!