Jaecoo's new entry-level SUV is expected to come with a considerable price cut compared to the J7.
Teased and selectively detailed for South Africa ever since its world debut last year, Omoda & Jaecoo has officially confirmed September as the month of unveiling for the new J5.
In detail
Shown publicly at the Shanghai International Auto Show in March, the junior sibling of the J7 will be offered in the same trim levels, Vortex, Glacier and Inferno, with a solitary powertrain option.
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Measuring 4 380 mm long, 1 860 mm wide and 1 650 mm tall, the J5 rides on the same T1X platform as the J7, with its wheelbase stretching 2 620 mm.
Although available in other markets with a 1.6 T-GDI engine and as a full EV, for South Africa, motivation will come from the Chery Group’s 1.5 T-GDI that produces 115kW/230Nm, the same as in the Omoda C5.
At the same time, drive will go to the front wheels only through a CVT rather than the ubiquitous seven-speed dual-clutch.
Spec sheet
Its boot able to accommodate between 480 and 1 180-litres of luggage, the J5’a confirmed list of features include a 13.2-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, a wireless smartphone charger and a drive mode selector with three settings: Eco, Normal and Sport.
Approved options include ventilated front seats, leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control.
In the United Kingdom, where it is called the Jaecoo 5, the list of items further includes a six or eight-speaker Sony sound system, a cooled glovebox, heated and electric front seats, and ambient lighting.
Likely price
Seemingly not set to make its public showing at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring next week as per previous rumours, pricing for the J5 will dramatically undercut that of the J7, though little is still known.
As a comparison, the four model J7 range starts at R519 900 for the entry-level Vortex and ends at R689 900 for the plug-in hybrid SHS.
Expectations, therefore, point to the J5 possibly starting around the R450 000 mark; however, this is purely speculative and will only be announced once the official launch takes place next month.
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