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Review: Jaecoo J7 AWD – Brawn and Beauty in a Muscular Package

Never heard of Jaecoo? Don’t worry, up until recently, neither did we. In fact, up until a few years ago, Malaysians were never really exposed to automotive brands coming out of China except for the major ones such as Chery, Geely and GWM.

Of course, automotive fan boys would have known that Chinese car makers were growing quickly and were gobbling up troubled brands, like what Geely did with Volvo and Lotus.

But there were others who chartered their own path rather than flashing their wads of cash to buy up brands. Chery is one of those brands. Having been in the automotive business for 27 years now, Chery has grown from humble beginnings to selling close to two million cars a year, in the Chinese market alone.

It is also an ambitious company that reinvests profits into research and development. This has resulted in some very impressive cars such as the Tiggo 8 Pro and the Tiggo 7 Pro.

But that is not all for Chery, it also has a diverse portfolio of brands, one that it has built from scratch rather than outright buying out. Part of its diverse brand portfolio includes Exeed, Omoda (marketed in Malaysia as a model rather than a brand), Jetour (soon to be launched in Malaysia) and the topic of this article – Jaecoo.

Jaecoo, which is an acronym for the German word Jager, which means hunter, and the English word cool, which is quite self-explanatory.

The Chery sub-brand was created to cater to an upmarket, premium clientele which Chery could not access with its main brand. Chery has long been associated with everyday cars that most people can afford. So, to reach the upper masses, Chery needed a new brand, and that’s where Jaecoo comes in.

Founded in 2021, Jaecoo is relatively new to the automotive game (figuratively speaking), but judging from its product portfolio, it is confident about its capabilities.

Malaysians got a first taste of the Jaecoo brand just recently when the company started making waves with media previews and roadshows where its first model was introduced – the J7. And interestingly, Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to welcome the J7, which says a lot about the importance of Malaysia to Jaecoo and Chery.

The J7 has been well-received by Malaysians, with glowing first impressions by local motoring media and successful roadshow campaigns indicating that the J7 will be a success story for Jaecoo on its first rodeo in the country.

The design is arguably its biggest allure, with no angle that sits out of place as an eye sore. In fact, some say that it looks like a baby Land Rover, specifically the Range Rover Evoque. We can see the design inspiration and the sprinkles of Land Rover design bits around the car, such as the hidden door handles that pop out to greet you when you unlock the car.

Though some Chinese car and motorcycle makers are notorious for copying designs of popular car models, the Land Rover stimulus is not a simple copy and paste job by unimaginative designers and neither is the J7 a joint venture of sorts between the Chinese and British brands. It is in fact a little more complex than that.

Back in 2012, Chery and Land Rover had inked a joint venture where the former would assemble the latter’s cars for the Chinese market. That went well, and since then there has been some learnings and knowledge transfer which has obviously benefited Chery. And that’s where the design inspiration and some underbody mechanical know-how comes from.

Talking about the mechanicals, the J7 is powered by a 1.6-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine making 197PS and 290Nm. There will be two variants for Malaysia, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model (which we drove briefly off-road recently) and a regular front-wheel-drive (FWD) model. Both have a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to the wheels.

So, during the recent test drive, Jaecoo Malaysia was eager to show the off-roading prowess of its AWD variant. It is rare for SUVs of this segment to be used off-road and Malaysians rarely take their cars off the beaten path.

But with traffic getting worse by the day and the rise of the “jalan tikus” thanks to GPS systems like Waze and Google Maps that have an uncanny ability to reduce your time on the road by suggesting roads that will get you home quick as long as you are willing to get your car muddy. So, it is good to know that your car has a little off-roading prowess to tackle whatever the GPS suggests.

And the Jaecoo J7 AWD has more than just prowess, it was built to tackle the paths regular drivers will never dare venture onto. For this, it has some built in talents such as the All-Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS) that provides for multiple drives modes and other features such as the 21-degree approach angle that lets you climb up some steep slopes, and a 29-degree departure angle, ensuring you do not scrape anything as you get back down.

It also has a 200mm ground clearance which means that Malaysia’s monster potholes will never be a problem. And just in case you have to deal with a flooded road, you can rest easy knowing that the J7 has a 600mm water wading depth capability. That is impressive considering pick-up trucks like the Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Ford Ranger are able to manage 800mm of water.

It also has some advanced driving modes that are designed to maximise power, grip and efficiency in all situations. So, to say that the Jaecoo J7 is off-road ready, now that will be an understatement. In fact, the J7 is probably the only SUV in its segment that has these talents. Its competitors such as the Honda CRV and the Mazda CX-5 are tarmac Princesses in comparison.

Besides its obvious capabilities, it is also a pleasant car to drive and to be in. Unfortunately, we did not get to drive the car on-road, which is a bit of a pity since that would have highlighted the comfort and refinement levels of the car (but we’re sure that will happen in no time), but we did spend decent time to absorb the interior.

Just like the exterior, the interior too has some Land Rover inspiration, particularly the “all-sense” seats that are broad and comfortable, probably the best in the class considering that they are heated and cooled with 10-levels of adjustability functions. But we will finalise that judgement after spending more time with the car.

We also like the exposed screws and overall design of the interior; it looks tough and masculine. And as you would expect, there are dual screens up ahead, a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and another 14.8-inch infotainment screen.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are to be expected of a car in this segment and they do make an appearance, and your favourite music is piped into the cabin through a Sony audio system.

We are sold as far as off-roading capabilities are concerned since we did try to twist its chassis but the tensile steel body with 80% rigidity stood up to everything the specially laid out course could throw at it. We were even given the chance to drown it in 650mm deep water, just to test out Jaecoo’s claim about its water wading capabilities, and yet it survived, which is again impressive for an SUV of this segment.

As you would imagine, it also has an armada of safety systems that includes a suite of ADAS functions that includes 21 different functions. The J7 just can’t seem to put a wheel wrong, but the ultimate judgement will come after driving it on tarmac and that will tell us a lot more about its refinement and comfort levels. For now, we know that it has some impressive off-roading abilities.

But the biggest question of them all is the price tag. Since the Jaecoo J7 has yet to be officially launched in Malaysia, we only have an indicative price. According to Jaecoo Malaysia, the 2WD model will be priced around the RM150,000 region while the AWD model will cost around RM160,000. And to put it simply, that is a bargain considering everything that you are getting.

Specifications:
Engine: 1.6-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder
Power: 197PS
Torque: 290Nm
Transmission: 7-Speed Dual-Clutch
Suspension: MacPherson Strut (Front) / Multilink (Rear)
Price (As tested): RM160,000 (Unconfirmed)

We like: Design, Interior quality, Off-road abilities
We don’t like: Imposing front grille

Jaecoo J6 EV Confirmed for Malaysia

The Jaecoo J6, also known as the iCar 03, is set to make its debut in the Malaysian market soon, following its appearance at the Beijing Auto Show, 2024, and where our media friends confirmed the news.

With dimensions measuring 4,406mm in length, 1,910mm in width, and 1,715mm in height, it offers a spacious interior and a relatively long wheelbase of 2,715mm. While slightly shorter than its counterpart, the J7, the J6 boasts a wider and taller stance.

In terms of design, the J6 sports a unique grille design and lacks the illuminated ‘i’ logo found on the lighting units of the iCar 03. However, the Malaysian version will feature the iCar 03’s grille at the front and include a storage box at the back.

The iCar 03 is available in China with a choice of rear or all-wheel drive electric motor configurations. The dual motor version delivers 279PS and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds, with a limited top speed of 150km/h. It is equipped with a 69.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by CATL, offering a range of up to 501km according to the CLTC standard.

Additional features of the J6 include a side-hinged tailgate, pop-out door handles, a large infotainment touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster integrated into the dashboard, electric door poppers, and a crystal drive mode selector. Roof-mounted solar panels are available as an option to help recharge the battery pack, along with ADAS cameras.

There is no telling which features will make it to the Malaysian market, but expect pricing to be competitive.

The Bentley Bentayga Apex Edition by Mulliner – Limited to 20 Examples Globally

Bentley Motors is introducing the Apex Edition, a limited 20-car collection under its Mulliner bespoke division, to enhance both the visual impact and dynamic ability of the Bentayga luxury SUV. This exclusive collection features ultra-strong, lightweight 22” Mulliner carbon wheels paired with carbon ceramic brakes and is offered in six unique specifications curated by Mulliner’s design team.

A central painted livery stripe extending over the bonnet and roof, a first for the Bentayga, adds to its distinctive appearance. Additionally, owners of the Continental GT Le Mans Edition will have the opportunity to commission an Apex Edition Bentayga in matching trim and livery.

Based on the Bentayga S, which boasts Bentley’s potent 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine producing 550PS and 770Nm of torque, the Apex Edition delivers enhanced agility and braking performance. With Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control and rear-wheel steering as standard, the Bentayga S offers exhilarating performance complemented by the sound of its free-flowing sports exhaust.

The Apex Edition’s 22” Mulliner carbon wheels, developed in collaboration with specialists Bucci Composites, save 24kg in unsprung mass, providing increased steering agility and more responsive braking. Carbon-Silicon-Carbide (CSiC) discs further enhance braking performance, offering a weight saving of over 20 kg compared to iron disc brakes.

Six curated themes by Mulliner offer a range of exterior finishes, livery stripes, and interior color combinations, allowing customers to personalize their Bentayga Apex Edition. Additionally, owners of the Le Mans Edition Continental GT can specify an Apex Edition Bentayga in matching livery, further enhancing exclusivity.

Each Bentayga Apex Edition comes comprehensively equipped with bespoke exterior and interior features, including the Styling Specification’s aerodynamic components in satin carbon fibre, Naim for Bentley audio system, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with Touring specification.

With production limited to just 20 examples worldwide, the Bentayga Apex Edition offers exclusivity and the opportunity for customers to further personalize their vehicle through the bespoke co-creation process with Mulliner designers, ensuring each Bentayga is a true one-of-one expression of luxury and performance.

Persona Energy and UTM Launch Motorsports Education Program

Persona Energy Sdn. Bhd. (Persona) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have entered into an official partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an integrated Motorsports program within UTM, Malaysia’s leading engineering institution.

The collaboration aims to establish the Technology Transfer Apprenticeship Programme Xcelerator (TTAP Xcelerator), a tailor-made educational platform designed to provide micro-credentials to engineering talents, facilitating their entry into the dynamic world of motorsports.

The MoU exchange ceremony took place at Menara Razak, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, with the attendance of Jazeman Jaafar, Executive Director of Persona Energy and Malaysian International Racing Driver, and Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi bin Ismail, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

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BMW Group Malaysia and Gentari Electrify The Exchange TRX

BMW Group Malaysia, in collaboration with Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) through its subsidiary Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd, has unveiled new electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at The Exchange TRX, a premier lifestyle destination in Malaysia. These state-of-the-art facilities represent another significant stride towards enhancing the country’s EV ecosystem.

Located conveniently at The Exchange TRX’s basement carpark, the newly introduced EV charging facilities comprise thirteen units of 22kWh AC chargers. These chargers offer EV owners a fast and efficient method to recharge their vehicles while visiting the luxurious shopping hub. Five charging units will be stationed at the Premium Parking level, while the remaining eight units will be situated at Level B1.

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New Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic Launched For RM528,888

The new Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC has been unveiled by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, setting new standards in the luxury SUV segment. With its updated design and advanced features, it promises unparalleled comfort and convenience for family adventures.

Powered by a mild hybrid variant with 48-volt technology and the Integrated Starter Generator of the 2nd generation, the GLE 450 4MATIC offers increased power of up to 375hp and 500Nm of torque, along with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. This enables it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, delivering a thrilling driving experience.

The exterior of the new GLE features modern updates, including a new front bumper, diamond grille with chrome pattern, AMG Line exterior elements, and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke light alloy wheels. The signature light flare in the headlamps, Multibeam LED technology, and revised taillight design add to its distinctive appearance.

Inside, the GLE boasts a luxurious cabin with a latest-generation steering wheel in Nappa leather, capacitive sensor surfaces, chrome-accented air vents, and Artico man-made leather upholstery. The Anthracite open-pore oak wood trim adds to the premium ambiance, while two USB ports in the rear armrest provide convenient charging options.

The second generation of the MBUX infotainment system offers advanced digital and intelligent features, with 12.3-inch LCD screens, touchscreen functionality, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GLE also comes with MBUX Navigation Premium, MBUX augmented reality for navigation, Active Parking Assist, and a 360° camera for effortless maneuvering.

Safety and assistance features include the Driving Assistance Package Plus, Parking System Generation 5.0, and the premium Burmester 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos immersive audio experience.