..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
OMODA and JAECOO, the two new brands of the Chery Group, have received unrivalled attention since their launch at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
Since then, the O&J Brands’ social posts about these two new models have been viewed more than 4.8 billion times, clearly demonstrating the global interest in these two new automotive powerhouses.
Both the new brands have been celebrated as vehicles that will be at the forefront of the new energy and technology revolution with a special focus on intelligent mobility.
Not only do the brands sport fashionable and cutting-edge design that will appeal to the aesthetics of the youth, but more importantly it speaks to the green consciousness of this market segment through its intelligent configurations focused on new energy technology.
To concretise this philosophy, OMODA has now launched an electric version of its SUV, the OMODA C5 EV.
This model is the brand’s superb offering to those seeking green and intelligent mobility solutions, while still enjoying a high level of creature comforts and performance.
As displayed at the Shanghai Auto Show, the OMODA C5 EV has the same dimensions as its petrol-powered siblings, with some unique styling updates to fit its clean energy credentials. At the heart of the styling upgrades is a new front design that replaces the grille with a sleek, aerodynamic front design with no openings for airflow to a radiator.
“The OMODA C5 EV is not merely a concept and the first left-hand drive models have already been shipped to destinations across the world,” says Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of OMODA South Africa.
“The model is under study for South Africa and other right-hand drive countries like Australia and we look forward to testing the model on local soil.”
One of the reasons why OMODA has been able to transition from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion in the OMODA C5 is its next-generation platform.
Unlike many other vehicle manufacturers that have to redesign their vehicle architecture to accommodate an electric motor and battery, the OMODA C5 platform has been created with all kinds of propulsion in mind. That means the OMODA C5 EV will offer the same interior space and driving dynamics as the turbo-petrol C5, despite a completely different drivetrain setup.
It also means that OMODA will be able to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the C5 or other models in the future.
Not to lag behind, JAECOO is in the final stages of the layout of its own new energy model, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
O&J Brands have also used the 20th Auto Show to reveal its third-generation plug-in hybrid electric vehicle platform. This systems uses battery-electric propulsion and an ACTECO engine was designed specifically for use in a hybrid application and has a deep Miller-cycle combustion system that recycles exhaust gasses for a second pass through the combustion chamber.
This system not only cleans the emissions, but also ensures that remnants of the injected fuels are burned for greater efficiency. It is currently ranked as the engine with the highest thermal efficiency on the Chinese market.
At the same time, the additional power from the hybrid system and the larger electric batteries means that this JAECOO PHEV will be able to travel for longer distances on electric power alone.
The PHEV will be available towards the end of 2023.
