Peter Lyon
November 29, 2023
This week, Chery Malaysia previewed the electric Omoda E5 in advance of its debut in 2024. Although its specs were announced earlier this year, a number of new details about the Malaysia-bound EV have also been revealed.
The Omoda E5’s design mainly mirrors that of its gasoline-powered sibling, with a few subtle changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. The most noticeable modifications are up front, where there is a new charging outlet that, according to Chery, makes charging easier because consumers won’t have to worry about parking their car in the correct spot. The front fascia also has been changed, eliminating the central intake grille.
Other exterior design modifications include new, aerodynamically-focused 18-inch wheels and sophisticated front bumpers with automated cooling shutters.
The Omoda E5’s interior has undergone an electric makeover, chief among which is the dashboard redesign that replaces the touch-panel climate control panel with a touch-screen control. The conventional gear lever has been removed from the central console, which has also been rebuilt with a flatter, more user-friendly shape.
Twin 10.25-inch screens now sit inside a special curved dash panel, featuring high-gloss lacquered wood-like trim. According to Chery, a new Qualcomm 8155 chip powers the vehicle, promising improved performance, especially with the screens.
The Chery EV is expected to deliver 430 km of range
As for the drivetrain, the Omoda 5E will employ a 204hp rated single front axle motor. Utilising a 61 kWh blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which has an average power consumption of 14.5 kWh per 100 km in the WLTP test cycle, the battery pack can deliver up to 430 km of range. Additionally, the Omoda 5E will feature Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, with an output of up to 3.3 kW from the exterior ports.
Performance-wise, the Omoda E5 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in less than 7.6 seconds. According to the carmaker, there’s also a single-pedal drive mode for a more satisfying driving experience. To charge, the Omoda 5E will support 9.9 kW of AC power, or up to 80 kW using DC fast charging – which enables a 30-80% charge in under half an hour.
Pricing information has yet to be announced, although we do know that this EV will be offered in a single variant for now, with its official launch scheduled for March 2024.
OUR THOUGHTS
Chery is now a major player in the fast-growing EV market, with great-looking cars and some of the best tech and electric range on offer. Although prices are still under wraps we can expect Chery to launch the Onoda E5 at a very competitive price that will stun some rivals.
