Chinese automaker Jetour will make its public debut in Malaysia at the Malaysia Autoshow next month, with the Dashing and X70 Plus set to be on display. According to a local Jetour representative, both SUVs are still on track to launch here as locally assembled (CKD) offerings in the second half of the year.
If you’ve never heard of Jetour, it’s one of two Chery sub-brands announced for Malaysia, alongside Jaecoo. Jetour opened a branch in Malaysia a few months ago as a separate company from Chery Malaysia with an independent management team and will compete with Chery (along with Jaecoo).
Focusing on the Jetour cars we’re sure to see in Malaysia soon, the Dashing is a five-seater SUV that’s the first to be based on the company’s Kunlun architecture. Measuring 4,590mm long, 1,900mm wide, 1,685mm high and 2,720mm wheelbase, the Dashing is sized between a Honda HR-V and a CR-V.
In China, the Dashing is available with a choice of two in-line four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines. The first is a 1.5-liter unit producing 156 PS (154 hp or 115 kW) and 230 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels. The second option is a 1.6-liter unit with 197 hp (194 hp or 145 kW) and 290 Nm, paired with a seven-speed DCT that also drives the front wheels.
The SUV is also available with an i-DM (Intelligent Dual Motor) plug-in hybrid system that uses the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder as a base. There is also an electric motor with 170 hp (168 hp or 125 kW) and 315 Nm, resulting in a total system output of 326 hp (322 hp or 240 kW) and 545 Nm.
The energy for the electric motor is provided by a ternary lithium battery with an energy capacity of 19.27 kWh, which ensures a purely electric range of up to 80 km according to the WLTC standard. Like the non-PHEV variants, the i-DM model is front-wheel drive, but uses a three-speed hybrid transmission (DHT).
The X70 Plus (not to be confused with the Proton SUV) is a three-row SUV with seating for up to seven people. At 4,749mm long, 1,900mm wide, 1,720mm high and a 2,745mm wheelbase, it’s a much larger car than the Dashing – the CR-V is smaller in comparison.
Like its smaller brother, the X70 Plus is offered in China with a choice of powertrains. The first is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine that produces 156 hp (154 hp or 115 kW) and 230 Nm. This is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a DCT to drive the front wheels. The second option is the Dashing’s 1.6-liter turbo four and seven-speed DCT with the same power ratings. There’s also a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine with 254 PS (251 PS or 187 kW) and 390 Nm, which remains front-wheel drive and a seven-speed DCT.
As previously reported, the Dashing and X70 Plus were initially selected for Malaysia as they are already available in right-hand drive – both are currently produced and sold in Indonesia. Going forward, the T2 (also known as the Traveler) will be added to the local lineup when right-hand drive production begins sometime in July or August.
The T2 has a more rugged off-road look and is offered in China with two powertrains, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 184 hp (181 hp or 135 kW) and 290 Nm, mated to a seven-speed DCT transmission the front wheels. There’s also a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 254 hp (251 hp or 187 kW) and 390 Nm, which has all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DCT.
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