THE Jaecoo J7 Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) is due to be officially launched in Malaysia by the end of this year.

Currently on display at Sunway Pyramid over the weekend, the model will be available in two variants with an estimated price from RM170,000 to RM180,000. 

The All-wheel Drive (AWD) variant offers seven driving modes namely, Economy, Standard, Sport, Sand, Mud, Snow, or Off-Road. Meanwhile, the Two-wheel Drive (2WD) variant offers three driving modes, namely Standard, Sport, and Economy. 

The PHEV system is powered by an 18.3kW battery and 60 litre fuel tank that can produce 525 Nm of torque. It is also fitted with a Direct Current (DC) Charger that supports up to 40kW.

Minus the new PHEV powertrain and its capabilities, the new J7's exterior is largely identical to the petrol variant including its safety systems and a number of features.

“Fans will have an option of colours, rim styles and interior upgrades available to choose from which add a distinct individuality to the Jaecoo J7 PHEV, while staying close to the brand’s essence, ‘From Classic, Beyond Classic’. 

"Registrations of interest for the Jaecoo J7 PHEV will begin at our preview in October ahead of its official launch end of this year. We anticipate to subsequently begin delivering the J7 PHEV by February 2025,” said Jaecoo Malaysia vice president Emily Lek.

Recently, Malaysia became one of seven nations to put the Jaecoo J7 PHEV to the test in an ultra-long range driving marathon from Guangzhou to Wuhu, China. 

Along with Malaysia, a multinational contingent comprising Italy, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, travelled over 1,300km (NEDC range) on a single tank of fuel and a full battery without stopping to recharge. 

Chery Corporate Malaysia executive vice president Leo Chen said the company's strategy to introduce the Jaecoo J7 PHEV is timely as the market demands the best of both worlds, engine performance and fuel efficiency.

“We understand that range anxiety is a concern among drivers when it comes to electric vehicles. This is why Jaecoo placed the J7 PHEV in the hands of drivers from around the world to witness the unprecedented experience of travelling with confidence and peace of mind," he added.

The 13-hour drive from Guangzhou began on Oct 16, 2024 and saw the multinational contingent navigate various driving environments including traffic congestion during morning rush hour, national roads, and intercity expressways. 

On paper, the Jaecoo J7 PHEV has a class-leading pure electric range of 106km (NEDC) and the lowest fuel consumption in its class, at 5.99 litres per 100km, in a power-depleted state. 

The journey also apparently highlighted that the J7 PHEV surpassed its specifications to achieve a range of 125.2km while in pure-electric mode, which is 19.2km (NEDC) more than the expected range during the ultra-long range driving marathon.

"This is a testament to Jaecoo’s Super Hybrid System (SHS) Technology which empowers the Jaecoo J7 PHEV to maintain an efficient and energy-saving driving state. This raises the bar for energy efficient and economical mobility, and we are proud to introduce the Jaecoo J7 PHEV for the Malaysian market to enjoy,” Emily added.