While Malaysia is set to welcome the fully-electric Jaecoo J5 EV, a newly spied hybrid variant could be on the way with 354 hp. CarNewsChina reports that a unit has been spotted in China bearing Jaecoo badging, suggesting that the hybrid variant of the Jaecoo J5 is destined to join the global lineup alongside the petrol-powered Jaecoo J5 and the pure EV variant.
Because Jaecoo cars are not sold in the Middle Kingdom and the Jaecoo J5 is not marketed there under the Chery marque, the spotted unit is reportedly bound for global export.
Detailed powertrain specifications are yet to be fully revealed, but reports indicate the Jaecoo J5 HEV could feature Chery’s latest “Kun Peng 2.0” hybrid powertrain. This system consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and a 5.1 kWh battery, delivering an output of 354 hp (260 kW), and is claimed by Chery to offer longer pure EV range and support vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.
For comparison, the current hybrid powertrain from Chery, featured in the Tiggo Cross Hybrid, utilises a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that delivers 102 hp/125 Nm. This is paired with a Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT) that integrates two electric motors producing up to 204 hp and 310 Nm. This would mean the new “Kun Peng 2.0” hybrid powertrain packs an extra 150 hp over the current setup.
RELATED: Jaecoo J5 HEV and BEV shown in China – could arrive in Malaysia by 2026
Should the Jaecoo J5 HEV arrive with a hybrid powertrain capable of producing 354 hp, it would become the most powerful option in the range. It would easily eclipse the petrol-powered variant, which makes 147 hp and 210 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, as well as the EV variant, which makes 207 hp and 288 Nm from a front-mounted traction motor.
Other changes on the Jaecoo J5 HEV are its safety systems, with the spotted unit featuring a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor. This setup reportedly features Chery’s “Falcon 700” ADAS system, which is also utilised in the iCaur V27.
The ADAS suite includes a dense hardware array comprising the aforementioned LiDAR sensor, 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, and three millimetre-wave radars. This setup delivers a touted computing power of 560 TOPS, enabling advanced capabilities like point-to-point navigation and automated valet parking.
Apart from these hardware and powertrain changes, the exterior of the Jaecoo J5 HEV remains mostly identical to the petrol variant except for a new “Hybrid” emblem on the tailgate and a set of aerodynamically profiled alloy wheels.
Closer to home, the Jaecoo J5 EV was recently teased by Omoda Jaecoo Malaysia, hinting at a market debut happening in the near future. It is set to become the brand’s first pure EV model in the country, featuring the same aforementioned powertrain specifications. This local variant is juiced by a 61.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, enabling a WLTP-rated range of 399 km.
ALSO READ: Thailand welcomes the iCaur 03T REEV – is Malaysia Next?
