Voice command system tweaked for those who give their cars a name.

VOICE command with reactivity to it being given a prescribed name is set to feature in the Omoda 5, a sports utility that heads the indirect return of China’s Chery to New Zealand - though don’t expect to see that parent name mentioned.

The provision to activate the car’s ‘intelligent voice command system’ with a ‘wake word’ is expected to become a popular feature, local brand boss Sheldon Humphries contends.

He believes many people will decide their special word is a name they will give their car.

“With many car owners naming their cars, the intelligent voice command system is going to be a popular feature for most owners” says Humphries, the make’s country manager.

“The Omoda intelligent voice command system allows you as the owner to personalize the name of your on-board AI.”

The Omoda 5 is set to arrive in the first quarter of next year, with confirmation of three powertrain options, two four-cylinder petrols and an electric. Prices have yet to be shared. 

Both petrol engines will avail across two trim options. The highest-end Premium will have a 147kW/290Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol married to a seven-speed automatic and provisions with a leather steering wheel, a power sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, red brake callipers and 18-inch alloy wheels as enhancements over the The base car, which in cheapest form runs a 108kW/210Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol paired with a continuously variable transmission.

Humphries says tech is the car’s focal point. A dual 10.25 inch screen and vehicle display is provisioned. 

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging are standard and the premium trim has front and rear parking sensors as well as 360-degree exterior 3D camera technology “to enhance situational awareness.”

The car is also equipped with a 17-function advanced driving system package; ACC adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking are among provisions.

The maker also touts advanced LED lighting, including an adaptive lighting system as standard.

Expected to be badged as E5, the electric model runs a a 61kWh battery pack with the make citing a 450km range cited and a 10-80 percent charging time of around 35 minutes from a DC fast charger.

The electric and petrol cars share the same bodywork, but differ in frontal styling. Whereas the petrol has an open grille, for air flow, the electric has a closed-off, body-coloured panel, and a restyled lower bumper.

In China the output for this edition is put at 165kW, with an electric motor driving the front wheels. 

The Omoda 5 petrol was meted a five star crash test credential from the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP), though it was criticised in some areas. It is unclear if that score will transfer to the electric, but often that is not the case.

The Omoda and Jaecoo brand names set to be used here are run by Chery, which tried and failed to make a life for itself in NZ years ago. But don’t expect to see the parent brand return.

Explains Humphries: “The Chery name will not return to NZ, we will be using the Omoda name for all our Omoda offerings going forward.

“Whilst Chery is the parent company, we want to build Omoda as a brand in NZ.  As Omoda continues to roll out globally, you will see this same pattern in all future markets.”

Omoda has been the name at the forefront in the 15 countries the make exports to. It shipped 12,842 vehicles overseas last month.