Jaecoo Malaysia has announced that it has begun delivering its latest offering, the J7 PHEV, to its dealerships across the country.
According to the company, the delivery of the first batch of the SUV in the first quarter of this year is proceeding as scheduled.
“The arrival of the first units of the JAECOO J7 PHEV at dealerships nationwide marks a major milestone for Jaecoo Malaysia and demonstrates our commitment to customers. We are excited for Malaysians to experience the innovation and sophistication of the J7 PHEV firsthand,” said Emily Lek, Vice President of Jaecoo Malaysia.
Launched on February 28, the J7 PHEV is priced at RM158,800 and is locally assembled at the Chery Malaysia production plant in Shah Alam, alongside the pure ICE-powered J7.
Each purchase of the J7 PHEV comes with a seven-year engine warranty or up to 150,000 km mileage, and an eight-year warranty or up to 160,000 km mileage for the battery, power motor, and power motor controller unit.
The eight-year warranty offers a 1-to-1 exchange if the state of health (SOH) of the battery falls below 70% during the warranty period.
The J7 PHEV is available in three colours, namely Khaki White, Carbon Crystal Black, and Moonlight Silver. Khaki White is a limited-edition with only 100 units available, after which Jaecoo will subsequently introduce an Olive Grey option.
Last week, Jaecoo Malaysia launched the J7 PHEV at a very enticing price of RM158,800, which is more than RM10,000 lower than the estimated price announced in October last year.
At first glance, the J7 PHEV appears to be a spitting image of the ICE-powered J7, but both models are rather distinctive, not only when it comes to powertrain but also in the aspects of exterior and interior design.
Powertrain
J7 PHEV
J7
As its name suggests, the J7 PHEV comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain rather than an internal combustion engine like the J7. The powertrain, dubbed as the Super Hybrid System, combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Deep Miller-cycle engine producing 141 hp and 215 Nm of torque, with an electric motor that generates 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque.
The combination results in a total system output of 347 PS and 525 Nm, which is transmitted to the front wheels via a single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission or DHT.
Exterior
From the outside, the J7 PHEV can be distinguished by several features. This includes the wheels, as the J7 PHEV is fitted with aerodynamic 19-inch rims wrapped in Kumho tyres.
Additionally, the newly launched SUV can also be identified by its more aerodynamic mirror design (with silver trim), a Range Rover-esque rear bumper with zero visible exhaust tips, a ‘PHEV’ badge on the tailgate, and a charging port located on the right side.
Interior
Get inside and the first thing you will notice is that the J7 PHEV’s centre console is visibly tidier than that of the J7. This is because the conventional gear lever found in the latter has been removed and replaced with a column shifter.
The wireless charging tray remains, but the drive mode selector is now gone while the cup holders are now positioned horizontally to make room for a row of buttons for the hybrid system. Additionally, the J7 PHEV showcases a simpler door card design compared its non-hybrid sibling.
Features
The infotainment system in both the J7 PHEV and J7 is one and the same, comprising a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a 14.8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display, and a Sony audio system with eight speakers.
Boot Space
Despite being equipped with a battery located beneath the boot floor, the J7 PHEV offers greater boot space compared to the J7, measuring 500 litres. However, the kicker is it does not come with a spare tyre – buyers get a tyre repair kit instead.
Jaecoo says the tonneau cover on the J7 PHEV can be used as a projector screen, which can be directly powered by the vehicle through the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function.
Pricing
As aforementioned, the J7 PHEV is priced at RM158,800. The J7, on the other hand, is available at RM138,800 for the 2WD variant and RM148,800 for the AWD variant.
The J7 PHEV comes with a seven-year engine warranty or up to 150,000 km, and an eight-year warranty or up to 160,000 km for the battery, power motor, and power motor control unit. The eight-year warranty offers a one-to-one replacement if the State of Health (SOH) of the battery falls below 70% within the warranty period.
The Jaecoo J7 PHEV has officially been launched in the Malaysian market, approximately four months after it was first previewed.
This SUV is priced at RM158,800 and is locally assembled at the Chery Malaysia production facility in Shah Alam, where the J7 is also produced.
As its name suggests, the J7 PHEV is essentially the plug-in hybrid version of the J7. It is powered by a 1.5-litre TGDI engine that produces 143 PS and 215 Nm of torque, complemented by an electric motor generating 204 PS and 310 Nm, giving it a total systemoutput of 347 PS and 525 Nm.
Power is transmitted to the wheels via a one-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
Another key component of the hybrid system is the 18.3 kWh Blade LFP battery, which offers an electric driving range of 106 km.
The BYD-sourced battery supports 6.6 kW AC charging, allowing it to charge from 30% to 80% in three hours, as well as 40 kW DC charging, which requires only 20 minutes for the same charge.
Alternatively, owners can use a standard three-pin 230 V residential socket, which takes approximately 8.5 hours for a full charge.
Jaecoo claims that the combination gives the J7 PHEV an overall range of up to 1,300 km (NEDC), with a fuel consumption rate as low as 4.77 litres per 100 km.
The performance of this powertrain in real-world driving conditions has already been proven. In January, five units of the J7 PHEV managed to cover a distance of 1,200 km (WLTP) on a long-distance trip from Singapore to Hatyai, Thailand, via Malaysia, using just one tank of fuel and a charge.
In terms of appearance, there is not much difference between the J7 and the J7 PHEV. However, the latter can still be distinguished by its blue ‘7’ logo, the ‘PHEV’ badge, aerodynamic 19-inch rims, and the battery charging port located on the right side.
The J7 PHEV is currently available in three colours, namely Khaki White, Carbon
Crystal Black and Moonlight Silver. Khaki White will be a limited to 100 units, after which Jarcoo will subsequently introduce an olive grey option.
Inside, you will find a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.8-inch infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as dual-zone climate control.
It is interesting to note that compared to its non-hybrid sibling, the J7 PHEV boasts a larger boot capacity of 500 litres, which can expand to 1,265 litres when the rear seats are fully folded down.
Safety features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, driver monitoring system, emergency lane-keeping assistance, intelligent high beam assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.
The J7 PHEV comes with a seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000 km warranty on its battery, power motor and power motor controller unit.
The eight-year warranty provides a 1 to 1 exchange when the state of health (SOH) of the battery falls below 70% during the warranty tenure.
Jaecoo also announced a special early bird package which qualifies all existing J7 PHEV bookings and bookings placed up to 2nd March 2025 for a 10-year/1,000,000 km warranty mileage extended engine and high voltage battery warranty.
It’s no secret that Jaecoo Malaysia is set to expand its model lineup with the introduction of another SUV, the J7 PHEV.
The upcoming model was unveiled to the media last October and is scheduled for launch on February 28, with an estimated price of around RM170,000.
Although the J7 PHEV has not yet been officially launched, we were fortunate enough to be able to take it for a rather long distance drive last January.
To be exact, yours truly and a few other media representatives actually embarked on a journey from Singapore, through Malaysia to Hatyai, Thailand with just one tank of fuel and a single charge.
The trip aimed to demonstrate the real-world capabilities of Jaecoo’s Super Hybrid System in terms of fuel efficiency.
In other words, it was to discover just how far the J7 PHEV could travel without needing to refuel or recharge the battery.
So, what exactly is the Super Hybrid System? For the J7 PHEV, it comprises a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and an 18.3 kWh battery.
Altogether, the powertrain produces a total system output of 347 hp and 525 Nm of torque, enabling the J7 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds.
But as you may already know, speed is not the primary focus of this SUV. Its true strength lies in its fuel efficiency, with Jaecoo claiming it can achieve readings as low as 5.99 litres per 100 km.
With a 60-litre tank and a zero-emission driving range of 106 km courtesy of the battery, Jaecoo claims that the J7 PHEV can cover an impressive distance of 1,300 km on a single tank.
On paper, those figures are indeed impressive, but can the SUV prove its mettle in the real world?
I personally believe that the J7 PHEV is capable of covering the claimed distance, at least in theory. But as you may already know, fuel consumption and range depend on various factors, such as driving style, traffic conditions, weather, load, and more.
The three-day trip was undertaken with careful consideration, meaning that the car was driven within the national speed limit for most of the journey. I also made a conscious effort to avoid aggressive acceleration to maintain optimal fuel consumption.
Additionally, to maximise distance, I made use of the regenerative braking system at varying levels of braking force according to the driving conditions.
For instance, when cruising on flat roads, the braking force was set to a low level to allow the vehicle to coast for longer. In hilly areas, however, I increased the braking force to allow the battery to charge more rapidly.
Upon reaching our final destination in Hatyai, the trip computer showed a distance of 1,051 km, with 269 km of fuel range and 21 km of battery range remaining.
When these three figures are combined, the J7 PHEV theoretically could cover up to 1,341 km without needing to refuel or recharge through a cable.
While achieving this figure may be challenging under more realistic driving conditions, if an owner could record a distance of around 1,100 to 1,200 km, I believe that would still be incredibly worthwhile.
Just think about it – how many other SUVs in the same price range can boast such fuel savings? Furthermore, with the anticipated restructuring of the RON95 petrol subsidy set to roll out this year, the J7 PHEV emerges as a very wise choice for buyers in this segment.
Jaecoo Malaysia has announced that the first locally assembled (CKD) J7 PHEV unit has started rolling off the production line at its Shah Alam facility.
According to Jaecoo Malaysia, the SUV will be officially launched by the end of this month.
“We believe the J7 PHEV fits in perfectly with the market’s appetite for an alternative between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) segments providing the best of both worlds with its superior Super Hybrid System fondly known as SHS,” said Emily Lek, Vice President of Jaecoo Malaysia.
“As Malaysia’s EV ecosystem continues to develop, JAECOO is happy to offer greater peace of mind to consumers considering the transition to hybrid energy mobility,” she added.
The J7 PHEV is powered by a combination of a 1.5-litre TGDI engine, a one-speed hybrid DHT transmission, and an 18.3 kWh LFP Blade battery, delivering a total power output of 347 PS (255 kW) and 525 Nm of torque.
The battery supports 6.6 kW AC charging, enabling it to charge from 30% to 80% in three hours, and 40 kW DC charging, which only requires 20 minutes for the same charge level.
Alternatively, owners can use a standard three-pin 230 V household socket, which takes approximately 8.5 hours for a full charge.
Most recently, the J7 PHEV was tested in a long-distance drive from Singapore to Hatyai, Thailand and clocked over 1,200 km WLTP range.
Last October, the Jaecoo J7 PHEV demonstrated its capacity to travel more than 1,300 km on a full tank of fuel and battery during a marathon event from Guangzhou to Wuhu, China.
This time around, the SUV once again showcased the prowess of its Super Hybrid System by successfully completing a long-distance course from Singapore, through Malaysia to Hatyai, Thailand a on a single tank of petrol and charge.
The three-day journey saw five units of the J7 PHEV surpass the 1,200 km WLTP range, with the longest range recorded at 1,427.5 km.
According to Jaecoo Malaysia, 947 km was covered purely on petrol, while 108 km was achieved using electric power, which is 18 km more than its specifications.
Fuel consumption was reported at 3.5 l/100 km, significantly lower than Jaecoo’s stated figure of 6.6 l/100 km.
“We are incredibly proud to finally demonstrate the Jaecoo J7 PHEV’s performance to the local market. It has truly exceled when put to the test during the course of this journey, a testament to the Jaecoo brand promise of delivering best-in-class vehicles.
“In addition to being the only PHEV with a direct current (DC) charging capability, our Super Hybrid System technology is the first in its class here in Malaysia. We are excited for our customers to enjoy the benefits of the Jaecoo J7 PHEV very soon,” said Emily Lek, Vice President of Jaecoo Malaysia.
Set for its Malaysian launch this February, the J7 PHEV is powered by a combination of a 1.5-litre TGDI engine, a single-speed DHT hybrid transmission, and an 18.3 kW LFP Blade battery that delivers a total power output of 347 PS (255 kW) and 525 Nm of torque.
The battery supports AC charging at 6.6 kW, enabling it to charge from 30% to 80% in three hours, and DC charging at 40 kW, which requires only 20 minutes for the same charge.
Alternatively, owners can use a 230 V three-pin home socket, which takes approximately 8.5 hours for a full charge.
Jaecoo Malaysia has announced that it managed to sell 7,041 units of the Jaecoo J7 in the first five months following its launch in July last year.
Jaecoo Malaysia vice president Emily Lek stated, “We appreciate our customers for their faith in the Jaecoo brand and we will remain dedicated to deliver on our brand promise with best-in-class vehicles and a premium ownership experience.”
Following the success of the J7 and C9 models in 2024, Jaecoo Malaysia aims to introduce more new models in 2025, in line with its mission to provide a range of affordable luxury vehicles in the automotive market.
The company’s efforts will begin with the launch of the J7 PHEV in February 2025. In preparation for its launch, the SUV will undertake a long-distance driving challenge across three countries – Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand – using a single full tank of petrol and one charge.
Meanwhile, to appreciate the achievements of its dealer network, Jaecoo has recognised 12 outstanding dealers at its first dealer award ceremony.
During the event, Auto Galaksi, which is based in Johor, took home the trophy for achieving the highest sales within the network.
Also recognised at the dealer awards ceremony were Gagner Auto, ES Premium Holdings, Luxury Legend, Siang Hin (KL), Apple Autotech, Kluster Automobile, Carshen, AAW Nexus, BH Premium Auto, Indah Utara Enterprise, and Tropical Impact Auto.
“These awards recognise the vital role our dealer network plays in the brand’s overall achievement. We will continue to expand our dealer network in line with our ambition to provide the absolute best customer experience” said Emily.
In an effort to identify further growth opportunities, Jaecoo will be expanding its evaluation to include Best Customer Service Index (CSI) and Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) scores among others in the coming year.
Jaecoo recently previewed its latest Jaecoo J7 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) premium off-road SUV in Malaysia at its first experience pop-up store, with over 3,000 visitors recorded in a span of just five days.
While PHEVs and traditional Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are common, Jaecoo’s interaction with patrons at the PHEV preview revealed an opportunity to enhance understanding about PHEVs which can help drivers make informed decisions.
While both PHEV and HEV technologies contribute towards lower carbon emission mobility, PHEVs are designed to provide superior flexibility, efficiency, and driving experience in key scenarios.
Longer range on pure electric power
PHEVs allow for significantly longer trips on electric power alone compared to HEVs, which rely on a much smaller battery capacity. For example, in daily commutes or city driving, PHEVs can travel up to 40 to 50 kilometers (depending on the model) without using a drop of petrol. This means drivers can experience emission-free, quieter, and more efficient driving for most short-distance trips, making it ideal for urban environments. The J7 PHEV’s battery range of 88 km is based on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
Home charging convenience
PHEVs offer the flexibility to charge the vehicle at home or at public charging stations. HEVs, on the other hand, can only recharge their battery through regenerative braking or engine power, limiting their electric driving potential. With a PHEV, owners can wake up every morning to a fully charged battery, ready to handle most daily journeys on electricity alone, greatly reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Enhanced performance with dual power
PHEVs allow for a seamless switch between electric and petrol power when needed, offering superior acceleration and performance compared to HEVs. In situations where instant torque is required, such as overtaking or navigating steep inclines, the electric motor of a PHEV can instantly provide additional power, making it a more versatile option for both city driving and long-distance travel.
Fuel independence for short journeys
In contrast to HEVs, which must use petrol after a short period of electric driving, PHEVs can run on pure electric power for most of the shorter daily trips, significantly reducing fuel dependency. This gives drivers the freedom to choose electric for local trips and petrol for long-distance travel, without compromising on performance or convenience.
Environmental impact
Since PHEVs can operate for extended periods without relying on the internal combustion engine, they contribute to reduced emissions, especially amidst concerns around air quality. HEVs, while fuel-efficient, still require constant engine engagement, making PHEVs the cleaner choice in many driving scenarios.
Set to be launched this year, the J7 PHEV All-Wheel Drive and Two-Wheel Drive variants are estimated to be RM180,000 and RM170,000 respectively.
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