Latest make from China aiming to rock compact SUV sector with sharp stickers.

POTENTIAL for price closeness, perhaps even parity, between a new sports utility brand’s debut offer here and the already-entrenched Omoda crossover it shares underpinnings with seems possible.

This supposition fuels from Jaecoo having today teased that the incoming J7 - which twins in technical aspect to the Omoda C5 that landed several months ago and aims at other popular compact light duty Korean and Japanese sports utility wagons - will have a starting price in the $30,000 band.

Omoda and Jaecoo are new-to-New Zealand sister brands, both belonging to Chery; the first produces road-tuned products and the second is designated as a sports utility specialist, with cars that have some off-road aptitude.

The marques are now the big international thrusts for Chery, which built 1.2 million cars last year and is China’s largest vehicle exporter, selling 450,000 in global markets.

The hint about Jaecoo J7 logically points to be it being the higher end of the $30-$40k band, as it is only provisioning with the more powerful of the two four-cylinder petrol powerplants availed in the C5. 

With Jaecoo, the indicated preference is to avoid the  base 108kW/210Nm 1.5-litre petrol and instead focus on the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit, which makes 147kW and 290Nm.

The latter also steps away from a constantly variable transmission and to a seven-speed automatic, which also seems to be the J7 preference. 

The 1.6-litre C5s, which both badge as GT variants, sell for $37,990 in front-drive and $39,990 in all-wheel-drive, which is logically coming to the J7. 

The 1.5 C5s are $29,990 and $34,990 and front-drive.

The other C5 variants here are two ‘E’ badged front-drive electrics, in $47,990 and $54,990 forms, those being introductory stickers up for review soon. 

Their electric drivetrain is one the J7 seems set to avoid. 

Instead Chery has created a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid version, with 255kW/525Nm and an electric-only range of up to 88km.

That variant, pictured, was revealed at the Beijing Auto Show in April and is thought to be set for introduction here in due course, though no exact timeframe has been shared.

Chery claims the J7’s PHEV powertrain boasts best-in-class thermal efficiency of 44.5 percent - most road legal car engines have thermal efficiency of between 20 and 40 percent - and that it has a total range of more than 1200km, with real world fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km.

Unlike most other PHEVs, the J7 boasts DC fast charging and V2L capabilities that allow it to act as a power source for external electronics.

Jaecoo here also has eyes on a slightly larger SUV, the J8 (above), which features a design similar to the J7, including retractable handles and an imposing front grille with vertical chrome slats.

It has a 1.5 TGDI petrol engine and two electric motors, one per axle,  providing all-wheel drive, 447kW and 915Nm torque, with that arriving via a three-speed hybrid transmission.

In comment about the J7, Sheldon Humphries, the country manager for both brands, said bringing here was a significant milestone.

“The competitive pricing structure we’ve developed means more Kiwis can experience the cutting-edge technology, exceptional performance and comprehensive safety features we are known for. 

“We believe this launch will not only broaden our customer base but also set a new standard for value and innovation in the off-roading market”.

Like C5, the J7 relies heavily on driver assistance programmes that, in the crossover, proved quirky on test.

The J7 has what Jaecoo calls an ‘innovative’ ARDIS - for ‘all road drive intelligent system’ - setup designed to provide intelligent and efficient driving control across various terrains. 

“Featuring nearly 20 ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system) functions, the J7 offers comprehensive safety assurance for all drivers,” it says in provided comment.

Humphries is confident the car will be well-suited for New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and outdoor lifestyles.

He said purchasers this year achieve seven years of AA roadside assistance to mirror a seven- year vehicle warranty.