Jaecoo J5 is Recorded Using LiDAR, Chery S Hybrid SUV is Ready to Upgrade Features

JAKARTA - The latest Jaecoo J5 is seen in China with a LiDAR device on the roof. This finding signals that Chery is preparing a hybrid SUV with more advanced driving assistance features for the global market.

CarNewsChina quoted Thursday, July 2, reported that spy photos showed the Jaecoo J5 in a self-charging hybrid variant or HEV. The English emblem on the car also indicates that this model is prepared for export.

The most striking change is on the windshield. There you can see the protrusion of LiDAR, a laser-based sensor that helps the car read the surrounding conditions. Sources in China say the J5 will use Chery's Falcon 700 driving assistance system.

The Falcon 700 system is also seen on the iCar V27 SUV and the Exeed Exlantix ES sedan. This package uses one LiDAR, 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 3 mmWave radars. The system is claimed to be able to run point-to-point navigation and automatic valet parking.

In terms of engines, the new Jaecoo J5 is allegedly getting an upgraded hybrid system. The "hybrid" emblem on the trunk door and the absence of a special battery charging hole point to the use of an HEV system, not a plug-in hybrid.

However, there is no certainty whether this model will use Chery's latest hybrid system, Kun Peng 2.0. The system is said to combine a 5.1 kWh battery with a 1.5-liter turbo engine and produces a maximum power of 260 kW or 349 hp.

For comparison, the Jaecoo J5 HEV is currently reported to use Chery's first-generation hybrid platform. The system combines a 1.83 kWh battery with a 1.5-liter turbo engine and produces a combined power of 165 kW or 221 hp.

Chery claims its new HEV system can provide a longer electric mode driving range. The system also supports the vehicle-to-load or V2L feature, which is the ability to use the car's battery power to turn on electrical devices. Features like this are usually found more in electric cars and plug-in hybrids.

The Jaecoo J5 itself is not sold in China because Chery does not market the Jaecoo brand in its home country. This model is built on Chery's T1X platform and has a close relationship with Omoda 5, Omoda 7, Omoda 9, and Tiggo 5x.

According to Jaecoo Australia, the J5 has a length of 4,380 mm, a width of 1,860 mm, a height of 1,650 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,620 mm. Its curb weight ranges from 1,420 to 1,710 kg, depending on the variant and drive system.

Globally, the J5 is offered with several engine options. The options include a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine, plug-in hybrid, self-charging HEV, and pure electric version. The electric variant is claimed to have a WLTP range of 402 kilometers from a 58.9 kWh LFP battery.

If the new LiDAR and hybrid system is true to the Jaecoo J5, this model will get important additions in two main sectors, namely driving assistance features and hybrid system efficiency.