Further expanding Omoda and Jaecoo’s footprint in the Philippine market are two new models that were just launched at this year’s Philippine International Motor Show: the electrified J5 and the all-new J8.
J5 EV: an expansion of the BEV roster
Starting off, the Chinese marque unveiled the fully electric version of the J5 compact crossover SUV. Having ditched the 1.5-liter gasoline engine of its SHS counterpart, the J5 EV now has a single electric motor powered by a 58.9-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, sending 208 hp and 288 Nm of torque to the front axle with a range of 461 km. This means the J5 EV now keeps the EJ6 company in the brand’s fully electric lineup.
Aside from the specs, the fully electric J5 still retains the pet-friendly TÜV SÜD-certified synthetic leather interior designed to resist any damage pets on the more chaotic side might try to cause.
Other interior niceties include a 13.2-inch infotainment screen on the dashboard, a 50W wireless charger in the center console, a panoramic sunroof, and a power tailgate. Price-wise, the J5 EV is set to come in at around P1,400,000 when it hits showrooms nationwide.
J8 SHS PHEV: Diving into bigger waters
Stepping out of the comfort zones of compact crossovers comes a preview of the J8 SHS alongside the J5 EV, signaling the intent to enter into the 3-row, mid-size crossover market, going toe-to-toe with the BYD Tang DM-i and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Global specs state the J8 is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-pot making 142 hp and 215 Nm of torque on its own, paired with a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. And because this is an SHS model, it comes with a 34.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, bumping the total power output to 605 hp and 915 Nm of torque to all four corners.
The J8, being a 3-row SUV, sports a 2-3-2 seating setup with a 60:40 bench seat second row, although variants elsewhere like the “Executive” trim are available with second-row captain’s chairs, making it a 2-2-2.
Aside from the seating layout, other interior niceties include a 24.6-inch dual-curved infotainment system that also acts as the gauge cluster, dual wireless chargers with a cooling fan for the driver-side charger, and a panoramic sunroof.
However, because the J8 is only being previewed at the Philippine International Motor Show, details are yet to be revealed. Either way, this preview builds anticipation for its local arrival.
Autocar’s Take
Although Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines are among the younger brands in the Philippines, this status is not being used as an excuse for complacency. Rather than resting on their laurels, Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines are making steady expansions to their lineups to keep up with fierce competition from rival brands in segments such as compact, subcompact, and possibly even mid-size crossovers in the future.
