Jaecoo J8 SUV coming to Malaysia; here’s what to expect

Jaecoo is the premium sub-brand of the Chinese automaker Chery which is ready to establish its presence in Malaysia. It focuses on producing more rugged SUVs than Chery’s urban-focused lineup. The brand will be marketed as an entirely separate entity and will carry out the assembly of vehicles locally. 

Last week, Jaecoo held a preview event for the upcoming SUVs - J7 and J8, which will hit local showrooms later this year. We have already discussed the upcoming Jaecoo J7 in detail yesterday, and now we are here to talk about what the Jaecoo J8 would bring to the table. So, without further delay, let’s get started.

Exterior

The Jaecoo J8 is a large SUV measuring 4815 mm in length, 1924 mm in width, and 1710 mm in height. These dimensions make it a competitor of the Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-8. It can be configured as a 5-seater or a 7-seater; however, the model previewed in Malaysia was the 5-seater variant.

Design-wise, the J8 offers a premium and macho vibe. The front incorporates a large chrome-plated waterfall-style grille conveying a sense of high quality. The charm is heightened by the soft strokes of natural light on the sharp shoulder lines. Further adding to the overall mature style of the SUV are 20-inch alloy wheels.

Interior

The cabin of the upcoming Jaecoo J8 exudes elegance and comfort from every corner. It is adorned with Nappa leather seats, a matte black deer leather roof for aesthetics and sound absorption, and TOM-made faux wood adding a touch of natural wood texture. 

Speaking of the advanced technology, the SUV would come loaded with a 24.6-inch ultra-smart curved central display, 255-colour waterfall-style rhythmic ambient lighting, and a 14-speaker SONY sound system. The SUV also features a "super-sensory" air conditioning system called "540 stereo," offering independent temperature and fan settings for each row of seating. It is mated to the "C-PURE Cubic Cabin Technology," ensuring fresher and healthier air inside the car.

Engine

The global-spec Jaecoo J8 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine, which cranks out a maximum power of 249 PS and a peak torque of 385 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, paired with either a front-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive system. Jaecoo is expected to offer the same mechanical setup with the local-spec version.

Off-roading

Just like the J7, the J8 can also accommodate seven fundamental driving scenarios effortlessly viz. urban, suburban, highways, mountains, deserts, mud, water crossings, and snow. The four-wheel drive system of the SUV promises optimal power transfer in all situations. 

The Jaecoo J8 comes equipped with a CDC magnetic height-adjustable suspension that possesses the capability to adjust the vehicle's height based on varying loads and road conditions, providing a good balance between comfort and handling at all times. The SUV also offers a well-balanced off-road driving experience, claims the automaker.

Safety

The upcoming Jaecoo J8 adheres to the rigorous global 5-star safety standards. The robust body structure of the SUV features a caged energy-absorbing design and is composed of 85% high-strength steel. It is packed with an extensive 10-airbag system incorporating a special "far-end safety airbag" strategically placed between the driver and passenger seats for an extra layer of safety.

In terms of advanced-driver assistance systems, the J8 is likely to mimic the J7 that boasts 21  intelligent functions such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, jam assist, curve speed assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic braking, front collision warning, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, intelligent evasion system, traffic lead car departure notification, park assist and more.

What do you think of the upcoming Jaecoo J8 SUV? Sound off your comments below.

Also read: Chery Omoda E5 previewed in Malaysia; launch in Q1 2024