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Chery Omoda 5 axle issue – vehicle being inspected and investigated, recall for small batch of customers
Chery Malaysia has issued an official statement following the circulation of a social media post regarding a customer’s Omoda 5 that apparently had its rear axle detach from the vehicle.
The owner of the vehicle involved alleges that the rear axle of the Omoda 5 had broken whilst being driven, without hitting any bumps or potholes, nor being involved in any accident.
This is the second case of a customer-unit Omoda 5 that had been publicised in viral social media content, the prior case being an alleged brake issue, for which Chery Malaysia issued an official statement earlier this month.
Statement by Chery Malaysia:
29 April 2024
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Chery Auto Malaysia is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation solutions, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all our vehicles meet the highest safety standards.
We wish to provide an update on the recent matter regarding the axle of an OMODA 5 vehicle. Chery Auto Malaysia has contacted and is in communication with the customer. The vehicle has been brought to our service centre for a thorough inspection and investigation.
As a proactive measure and in line with our safety protocols, Chery Auto Malaysia is currently reaching out to the affected customers. For additional peace of mind, all customers who are concerned can book an appointment at their nearest service centre for a thorough inspection, all inspected vehicles will receive a full report.
In addition, and for added assurance to all Chery and OMODA customers who may have questions, the Chery Malaysia Customer Careline can be contacted at +603- 2771 7070.
Our sincere thanks to our customers and followers for your patience. We are committed to transparency and assure you of our unwavering dedication to quality and satisfaction.
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Beijing 2024: Neta L launched in China – pure EV later, REEV variants first; 1,300 km hybrid range; fr RM86k
The Neta L has been launched in China during this year’s Auto China currently ongoing in Beijing. The new SUV is priced from 129,900 to 159,900 yuan (about RM86k to RM105k) and will initially be offered in four variants, all of the being range extended electric vehicles (REEVs) – a pure electric vehicle (EV) version will be introduced in the future.
The base option features a 30-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that powers a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 231 PS (228 hp or 170 kW) and 310 Nm of torque, which is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds and top speed of 180 km/h.
All other variants come with a larger 40-kWh LFP battery and the same electric motor, although they are slightly slower in the century sprint at 8.2 seconds – the top speed remains unchanged. Neta claims all variants require 19 minutes to get the battery from a 30-80% state of charge via DC fast charging. There’s also a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that can deliver up to 3.3 kW to power electrical devices.
The range extender aspect of the powertrain comes in the form of a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine running on the Atkinson cycle. With this and a 50-litre fuel tank, the hybrid mode range is as high as 1,300 km (CLTC standard) for the 40-kWh variants and 1,250 km for the sole 30-kWh option. Without the internal combustion engine serving as a range extender, the 40-kWh variants will do 310 km in EV-only mode, or 220 km for the 30-kWh variant.
In terms of dimensions, the Neta L measures 4,770 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,810 mm. The design is reminiscent of the Neta X, albeit with distinguishing cues such as integrated headlamps (with DRLs), pop-out door handles and H-shaped taillights.
Inside, the dashboard is dominated by two 15.6-inch touchscreens, the central one being the main access point to the infotainment system while the other is for the benefit of the front passenger. A third display is a small instrument cluster integrated into the dashboard. Powering the infotainment system is Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155P chip, which also enables digital voice assistance, telematics, various connectivity options as well as over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Depending on the chosen variant, available equipment include a 64-colour ambient lighting system, powered front seats (with heating, ventilation and massaging functions), a refrigerator, a 16-speaker sound system, 60W USB-C ports, dual-zone climate control (with rear vents) and a powered tailgate.
A Horizon Journey 3 chip powers the Neta L’s driver assistance systems and is linked to up to 12 ultrasonic sensors, five long-range millimeter-wave radars, four surround view cameras and one forward-facing camera. Functions include a 360-degree camera, autonomous emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane change warning, cross traffic alert (front and rear), automated parking and more.
Deliveries of the Neta L to the first customers in China have already begun during the ongoing Auto China, and the model will be rolled out to 20 countries worldwide in the second half of this year. Would you want this to come to Malaysia?
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Tesla FSD to expand outside North America – LHD focus, some time to go for RHD markets like Malaysia
Tesla looks to be gearing up to expand the availability of Full Self Driving outside of North American markets, based on a few developments that have happened recently.
Swedish Transport Administration senior advisor Rikard Fredriksson recently posted on his Linkedin that he experienced a demo of FSD in a Tesla Model Y in Germany, where it is currently unavailable. This suggests there are talks with European regulators to have it approved.
FSD V12 in Germany 🔥 https://t.co/c4mlrA2t9s pic.twitter.com/3V79Io77dc
— Timmy (@elektrotimmy) April 27, 2024
There are also reports that suggest Tesla has partnered with Baidu to provide map and navigation data to allow FSD to work in the Chinese market.
However, it might take some time for FSD to ever be available in Malaysia. If you notice, the above two are both LHD markets, which is something they have in common with North America.
On April 27, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet that Tesla believes FSD v12 is ready for LHD countries but RHD will take a bit longer.
We believe version 12 is ready for supervised FSD in LHD countries. RHD will take a bit longer.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2024
FSD is currently available for purchase in Malaysia for RM32,000 which when converted to USD is one of the cheapest prices in the world at this time. At today’s exchange rate it is around USD6,700, compared to USD8,000 in the US.
FSD is currently unavailable to use in Malaysia for those who have paid for it. Would you buy FSD at RM32,000 if it was available for use in Malaysia? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Proton opens new R&D centre in China – serves to upgrade homegrown models, EV development
Proton has opened its new R&D centre in China as part of its collaborative efforts with business partner Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely). The new facility, which is located within the Geely Automobile Research Institute at Hangzhou Bay, will complement Proton’s existing R&D facilities in Malaysia.
In an official release, the company said its R&D centre in China will strengthen its ability to conceptualise, design, develop and manufacture new vehicles by combining its in-house competencies with the resources and know-how that Geely can offer.
“Aspiring to mirror the success story of China Euro Vehicle Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, this latest development moves Proton’s R&D facilities in Malaysia closer to becoming the sixth in the Geely Group’s global network of R&D centres,” read the release.
The new facility will have a workforce of 50 employees and covers top-hat and platform integration for internal combustion engine (ICE) and future electric vehicle (EV) models. This also includes the upgrading of Proton’s homegrown models, which are presumably the Saga, Persona and Iriz, as covered in a previous report.
In addition to vehicle development, Proton’s R&D centre in China will also serve as a platform to engage with vendors for the continuous development of the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, Perak, including focusing on full business life cycle areas such as quality, procurement, and manufacturing.
The new centre will have three departments, namely the Central Research Institute, Data Intelligence Development Centre as well as the R&D Digitisation Centre. The first is responsible for coordinating the R&D system for vehicles and to enhance Proton’s technology capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Data Intelligence Development Centre covers research development and delivery of big data and artificial intelligence before formulating product deployment plans. Lastly, the R&D Digitisation Centre explores and manages the digitisation needs of the R&D system and formulating of strategies for digital transformation.
“We have witnessed the birth of a facility that allows us to work closer than ever with our partners and will inspire connections for years to come while helping to expand Proton’s global presence.,” said Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.
“It is our hope this important milestone would enable us to move towards our goal of Proton becoming the sixth Geely Group R&D centre, while bolstering Proton’s existing capabilities that are already well established in Malaysia. We remain steadfast in our commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and making endless possibilities for the future of mobility,” he added.
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2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X launched in Malaysia, RM26,900 and RM29,900
Now in Malaysia are the 2024 Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, priced at RM26,900 and RM29,900, respectively. This follows the earlier announcement of Malaysia market pricing for the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X November last year.
The pair of what Triumph calls “T-Series” bikes are identically powered with a single-cylinder DOHC ‘TR’ mill with four-valves producing 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm with 37.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Euro 5 compliant, the TR engine is made to look air-cooled while carrying a slim radiator.
Power goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive. Differentiating the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X is wheel sizing, the Speed getting 17-inch wheels front and rear while the Scrambler comes with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel.
Additionally, the Scrambler 400 X gets switchable ABS with rear wheel ABS disabled for off-road work while the Speed 400 has full-time two-channel ABS. Braking is done with a 300 mm diameter disc in front for the Speed with the Scrambler getting a 320 mm disc, clamped by a four-piston radial-mount brake calliper for both.
For suspension, 43 mm diameter upside-down Big Piston forks are fitted, with the Speed getting 140 mm of travel and the Scrambler coming with 150 mm travel. At the rear, a monoshock with remote reservoir is fitted, adjustable for preload and giving 130 mm of suspension travel for the Speed 400 and 150 mm travel for the Scrambler 400 X.
The Speed 400 weighs in at 170 kg wet, with seat height set at 790 mm while the Scrambler 400 X tips the scales at 179 kg wet with a 835 mm seat height. 13-litres of fuel is carried in the tank.
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2024 Peugeot 408 launched in Malaysia – 218 PS/300 Nm 1.6L turbo, three variants; from RM146k OTR
Following its initial preview earlier this month, the 2024 Peugeot 408 has now made its official launch in Malaysia, arriving in three variants – Allure, Premium and GT, priced at RM146,055, RM166,055 and RM196,055 on-the-road without insurance for the respective variants, and this is locally assembled (CKD) at the Stellantis plant in Gurun, Kedah.
All three variants are powered by the manufacturer’s PureTech 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-four cylinder petrol engine, rated to produce 218 PS at 5,750 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. Drive is transmitted to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Built on parent group Stellantis’ EMP2 platform, the fastback 408 measures 4,687 mm long, 1,859 mm wide and 1487 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,787 mm and ground clearance of 189 mm. Luggage capacity is 536 litres with the rear seats in place, and expands to 1,583 litres with the seats folded in the GT variant, or up to 1,611 litres in the Allure and Premium variants.
Click to enlarge Exterior equipment for the 408 includes alloy wheels ranging from 18 inches on 225/55 for the Allure and Premium variants, up to 20 inches with 245/40 for the top GT variant. Wheels are finished in Granite Grey for the Allure, two-tone Granite Black for the Premium and Monolithe Black for the GT. Allure and Premium variants are equipped with a spare tyre, while the GT gets a tyre repair kit.
The Allure and Premium variants get a front grille finished in chrome, while the GT grille is finished in body colour. For lighting, the top GT gets automatic matrix LED headlamps and 3D ‘claw effect’ LED tail lamps, while Allure and Premium variants get full LED headlamps and tail lamps.
Inside, upholstery starts with vinyl for the Allure, then steps up to leather for the Premium variant, while the GT gets Nappa leather. All three get electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, while the top GT variant adds a memory and a massage function. The front passenger in the Allure gets manual adjustment, while those in the Premium and GT variants get electric adjustment.
Instrumentation is the 10-inch i-Cockpit digital display for all three, while the GT gets a 3D quartz version of the i-Cockpit unit. Infotainment for all three is by a 10-inch i-Cockpit HD colour touchscreen unit, with the GT gaining configurable i-Toggle controls.
Audio for the 408 comes courtesy of a six-speaker system for the Allure and Premium variants, while the top GT variant gets a 10-speaker Focal Premium system, and all three get a wireless phone charger. The GT also gets a cabin air cleaning system.
Safety kit on the 408 range is comprised of AEB, ESP with hill start assist, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system along with rear parking sensors, a rear camera, active bonnet pedestrian impact protection and six airbags.
To these, the Premium variant adds front parking sensors, advanced traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, advanced AEB, front collision warning, blind spot detection, and rear cross traffic alert.
A total of four colours are offered across the three variants of the 2024 Peugeot 408; Obsession Blue, Perla Nera Black, Okenite White and Artense Grey. The Allure variant gets three of the four except Obession Blue while the Premium gets all four exterior colours; the GT gains Obsession Blue in its range of available colours, omitting Artense Grey.
The 2024 Peugeot 408 is covered by a seven-year/200,000 km warranty, of which three years are of manufacturer warranty coverage, followed by four years of extended warranty coverage by Stellantis Malaysia, which has the same scope of coverage as the manufacturer’s warranty.
2024 Peugeot 408 GT
2024 Peugeot 408 Premium
2024 Peugeot 408 Allure
GALLERY: 2024 Peugeot 408 previewed in Malaysia
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2024 MINI Aceman debuts – new crossover between Cooper, Countryman; up to 218 PS, 406 km EV range
This is the all-new MINI Aceman, a new crossover that slots in between the latest MINI Cooper and Countryman in the carmaker’s line-up that recently made its debut in Beijing at this year’s Auto China. Unlike its stablemates, the Aceman will only be offered with fully electric powertrains across all variants.
The base variant is known as the Aceman E and comes with a front-mounted electric motor rated at 184 PS (181 hp or 135 kW) and 290 Nm of torque. This is enough to get from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 160 km/h.
Following this is the Aceman SE, which is also front-wheel drive but with higher outputs of 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) and 330 Nm for a 0-100 km/h time of 7.1 seconds and top speed of 170 km/h. The top-spec option also has a battery with an energy capacity of 54.2 kWh to give it a range of up to 406 km according to the WLTP.
By comparison, the Aceman E’s battery is 42.5 kWh for up to 310 km of range. Both variants can handle AC charging at a max capacity of 11 kW, but there’s a difference when it comes to DC charging. The Aceman E’s maximum DC input is 75 kW while it is 95 kW for the Aceman SE, with the company claiming a 10-80% state of charge can be achieved in just under 30 minutes.
In terms of dimensions, the Aceman measures 4,076 mm long, 1,754 mm wide, 1,515 mm tall and has wheelbase spanning 2,606 mm. This puts it firmly in the middle of the MINI Cooper (3,858 mm long, 2,526 mm wheelbase) and Countryman (4,433 mm long, 2,692 mm wheelbase).
The Aceman adopts MINI’s new reduced design approach referred to as ‘Charismatic Simplicity’. At first glance, it looks like a shrunken Countryman, with a front end that features a closed-off, octagonal-shaped grille and a small lower intake. The headlamps are unique to the Aceman and have a distinctive daytime running light signature, which can be switched to three different modes to be expressive.
Along the sides, you’ll find retractable door handles and prominent body cladding, the latter underscoring the crossover aesthetic, as do the standard roof rails and rear skid plate. The rear of the Aceman kind of resembles the latest MINI Cooper, although the Union Jack taillights are a lot less pixelated and the clusters are more rounded.
The Aceman is offered in four different trims that are identified by an oblong-shaped badge attached to the front area of the side sill. Each level comes with its own equipment and trim types, and buyers can choose from Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW Trim – there are also various wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches in size.
Moving inside, we find a familiar dashboard layout not unlike the MINI Cooper and Countryman. The star of the show is the large, circular touchscreen that sits just above a row of physical controls for important things (parking brake, gear selector, start/stop “key”, experience modes, media volume). The OLED display makes up part of a comprehensive ambient lighting system and provides access to vehicle functions.
Infotainment is powered by MINI Operating System 9, which includes the many MINI Experience Modes such as Personal, Go-Kart, Vivid, Core, Green, Timeless, Balance and Trail. Additionally, the system also includes support for phone connectivity as well as the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant, the latter visualised as a stylied MINI or the character ‘Spike’.
Customers can option a head-up display to have vital driving information projected ahead on the windscreen if they prefer not having to rely solely on the centre display. For those concerned about practicality, the Aceman’s 60:40 split-folding rear seats provide up to 1,005 litres of space when put down, and there’s 300 litres available as standard.
On the driver assistance front, there are 12 ultrasonic sensors and four cameras to support the Driving Assistant Plus suite, which includes steering and lane assist in addition to assisted parking and autonomous emergency braking.
The Aceman was developed and will be produced by Spotlight Automotive, a joint venture between BWM Group and Great Wall Motor, at a manufacturing plant located in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, China. If the Countryman is too large and the MINI Cooper is too small for you, maybe the Aceman is the MINI for you. What do you think?
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Lamborghini Urus SE debuts in Beijing – 4.0L twin-turbo V8 PHEV with 800 PS, 950 Nm; 60 km EV range
This the new Lamborghini Urus SE, which is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid version of its ‘Super SUV’ that recently celebrated its global debut at the ongoing Auto China in Beijing. In addition to an electrified powertrain, the Urus SE also boasts an updated design and various other updates.
Starting under the bonnet, the Urus SE keeps to a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that produces 620 PS (612 hp or 456 kW) and 800 Nm of torque. This is now augmented by an electric motor rated at 192 PS (189 hp or 141 kW) and 483 Nm for a total system output of 800 PS (789 hp or 588 kW) and 950 Nm.
For reference, the Urus S that was revealed back in September 2022 packed 666 PS (657 hp or 490 kW) and 850 Nm. With its superior output figures, the Urus SE will get from 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds (3.5 seconds for the Urus S) and can hit a top speed of 312 km/h (305 km/h for the Urus S).
The plug-in hybrid version also offers up to 60 km of electric-only range thanks to its 25.9-kWh lithium-ion battery – the company did not disclose charging details in its release. Other parts of the powertrain include an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system with an integrated front differential as well as a rear electronic limited-slip differential.
There are also air springs to adjust ground clearance ranging from 15 mm in Corsa up to 75 mm when needed. Corsa is just one of a few drive modes available, with others being Strade, Sport and Neve. There are also PHEV-specific modes such as Hybrid, Recharge and EV Drive.
As for the design changes, there’s a new daytime running light signature that wraps around headlamp clusters, which now come with matrix LED technology. The front and rear bumpers are also slightly tweaked, while the rear tailgate has been completely redesigned to feature a spoiler which works with a revised diffuser for 35% more downforce at high speeds compared to the Urus S.
Other aerodynamic improvements include underbody air vents and revamped air ducts to better cool mechanical and engine components by 15%. The new design of the front section also helps improve brake cooling by 30%.
Inside, there are now two 12.3-inch displays and the infotainment system has been updated with better graphics to keep things in line with the Revuelto. The rest of the cabin remains largely familiar, and customers can still customise their purchase with a wide range of options, including wheels measuring between 21 to 23 inches.
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Malaysia’s Hakim Danish scores second in Jerez
Up and coming Malaysian rider Hakim Danish grabbed a close second place in the Red Bull Rockies Cup race in Jerez, Spain. In a photo finish, Alvaro Carpe of Spain drafted Hakim’s slipstream, pulling out and pipping the Terengganu boy to the finish line at the end of Race 2 by just 0.006 seconds.
Hakim’s second place win made up for his eighth place finish in Race 1, first race of the 2024 season. 16-year old Hakim, who showed strongly in Free Practice and Qualifying on Saturday, said, “I was able to improve from yesterday, not make the mistakes. Early in the race, I didn’t feel too good because I felt it was a bit slippery.”
Sanguine about his race and being beaten by Carpe, Hakim said, “I managed to stay in the front group, overtake on the last lap and get in a position to win the race. I pushed to the line but I saw Alvaro’s bike beside me and I knew he crossed the line first.”
This was despite Hakim, who races motorcycle number 13, making a near perfect overtake on the final lap into the start-finish straight, with the win in sight. The Red Bull Rookie Cup is now in its 18th season, with 14 races on the calendar in 2024.
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ChargeSini launches EV charging station in Tamara Residence, Putrajaya – eight AC chargers, RM0.99/kWh
ChargeSini has launched its first residential electric vehicle (EV) charging station located in Tamara Residence, Putrajaya.
The station is open to the public and features eight Sangitech AC chargers that can each deliver 22 kW. The chargers are spread across the condominium grounds to cater to each residence block, from Tower A to Tower D. The charging rate is based on energy consumed at RM0.99 per kWh.
“As we continue to strive for sustainable mobility and a greener future, it brings me great joy to witness the expansion of charging facilities in Putrajaya. Our commitment to green mobility and environmental conservation underscores the importance of promoting renewable energy sources and fostering a sustainable community for generations to come.” stated Datuk Mohd Radzi bin Md Jidin, MP of Putrajaya.
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Chery Omoda 7 unveiled – sporty SUV with 1.5 TGDi PHEV tech, gaming-style interior, sliding touchscreen
The Chery Omoda 7 has just been unveiled at the carmaker’s hometown in Wuhu, China. As a bigger brother to the popular Omoda 5, it is described as a sporty coupe SUV with wide ranging appeal. It combines three key design pillars: dynamic, avant-garde and futuristic.
It’s certainly a striking looking SUV. The shark nose with borderless parametric grille looks to be inspired by the Lexus RX, as are the general sharp angles seen all around. Look closely and the front corners and you’ll see a repeating hexagonal pattern that can light up, as part of the “digital pixel design detail.”
The Omoda 7 rides on large 20-inch dual-tone alloys, while the wheel arch liners have a distinctive pattern on them. Suprisingly enough, the doorhandles are traditional pull-up items instead of self-presenting pop-out designs favoured by a majority of new cars coming out of China recently.
Round the back, the coupe-like roofline does lend it a bit of a Range Rover Velar vibe, although the windowline with a prominent kink over the rear fender matches that of the Omoda 5, creating a neat family look of its own. The taillights have what’s called an electric energy design – a series of connecting arrows that form a lightning bolt.
Size wise the Omoda 7 measures 4,621 mm long, 1,872 mm wide and 1,673 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. That’s considerably larger than the Omoda 5 (4,400 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, 1,588 mm tall, 2,630 mm wheelbase) in every way, and is much closer to the Honda CR-V (4,694 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, 1,681 mm tall, 2,700 mm wheelbase).
Inside is where it gets really interesting, as it features gaming-style elements. The steering wheel, for instance, is said to be inspired by a PlayStation 5 controller – easy to control, “maximising the playful experience” – while the front seats were modelled after gaming seats (which ironically were made to mimic car seats to begin with). Fancy stitching, nubuck leather and quilting add on to the sporty look and feel.
Meanwhile, the 15.6-inch centre touchscreen can actually slide to be positioned right in front of the passenger, to provide a more comfortable viewing angle on the move. The “space orbit sliding smart screen” – with 2.5K resolution and 1,000 nit brightness – can be controlled via gesture, voice and button prompts.
Other interesting features include integrated air freshener pods that infuse the chosen fragrance into the air conditioning system (similar to the Air Balance option on high-end Mercedes-Benz models) and a 12+2 speaker Sony audio system. The latter adds on a pair of small surround speakers inside the driver’s headrest. There’s even an engine noise cancelling system for a quieter cabin!
Beyond that, the chassis (a stretched, reworked version of the Omoda 5 platform) has been upgraded with double hydraulic suspension and an advanced brake-by-wire system. As for ADAS, there’s no less than 18 features covering all the usual driving assist systems, plus a novel voice-activated lane change assist function.
Under the hood is a 1.5TGDi four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a plug-in hybrid system. The engine itself is claimed to have the highest thermal efficiency in its class of 44.5%, while the battery pack can provide up to 95 km of pure-EV driving range. In hybrid mode it’s claimed to have a fuel consumption of 4.89 l/100 km, allowing a combined range of 1,250 km, at least in theory.
There will also be a pure-ICE version later, likely with a larger 1.6 litre four-cylinder petrol engine like in the Jaecoo J7. Surprisingly however, unlike the Omoda 5, there won’t be an EV version of the Omoda 7.
So folks, what do you think of the Omoda 7 – can it possibly be anywhere near as successful as the Omoda 5? Comment below!
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Chery Tiggo 4 Pro confirmed for Malaysia, 1H 2025 – facelifted SUV rivals Perodua Ativa, Honda WR-V
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro has been confirmed for the Malaysian market, and the sub-B-segment SUV will slot in below the Omoda 5 in both size and price. Chery Malaysia told paultan.org at the ongoing 2024 Chery International Business Conference event that the Tiggo 4 will arrive in the first half of 2025.
The Tiggo 4 was part of Chery Malaysia’s first ever event – a media preview – back in October 2022, so it’s no surprise that the junior Tiggo will be making its way here. However, time has passed and the car we’re showing you now from Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu looks different from the Tiggo 4 from a couple of years back.
The latest 2024 facelift version of the Tiggo 4 has bolder face that consists of a larger and more angular studded grille, which is visually connected to vertical LED daytime running lights at the edges of the bumper. The headlamps are LEDs and the cluster is slimmer. Overall, the new face gives a wider impression, and it’s also more modern.
Like the fascia, the Tiggo 4’s profile and rear end are also more in-line with its bigger Tiggo siblings. The chrome lower border of the daylight opening now goes all the way to the back; this plus some black paint creates the ‘floating roof’ effect seen on the Tiggo 7 and Proton’s X SUVs. The two-tone five-spoke alloys look pretty small here, but are actually 17-inch items with 215/60 rubber.
For me, it’s the rear end changes that does most to transform the Tiggo 4, which looks so much more contemporary with a full-width bar containing fancy LED signatures and a fully spelled out Chery logo. Vertical reflectors at the bumper edges mirror the front LED DRLs. Check out the pre-facelift to see what we mean.
The pre-facelift Tiggo 4’s interior was a strong point for cars of this size/price, but it has been further modernised and now sports the conjoined screens seen in other Chery SUVs. Further down, the row of piano keys and the piano black AC control panel have been retained, but the vents are now full width. Shift-by-wire allows for a small knob and a big storage area below the centre console. The steering wheel retains the Chery emblem instead of the logotype on the other Tiggos, though.
Latest Tiggo 4 interior on the left, pre-facelift on the right The Tiggo 4 Pro is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 147 PS and 210 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. That’s slightly lower than the Omoda 5’s 1.5T with 156 hp/230 Nm. The junior Tiggo’s entry-level engine has always been a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot with, which is also available with a manual gearbox that some markets require.
What do you think of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro? Its prospects will heavily depend on pricing, as buyers in the sub-RM100k market are more price sensitive than those buying a RM150k SUV. The T4 is sure to be priced below the century mark as the Omoda 5 starts from RM109k. Chery has a knack of surprising everyone with its prices though, so could this car retail between RM80k to RM90k?
For context, the Perodua Ativa – which has a 1.0-litre three-pot turbo engine – is priced from RM62,500 to RM72,600, while the 1.5L NA-powered Honda WR-V retails from RM90k to RM108k. It’s these two compact SUVs that Chery is targeting with the Tiggo 4 Pro.
GALLERY: 2024 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro facelift
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro pre-facelift
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Chery Tiggo 6 – RWD EV to slot in above Omoda E5?
With Malaysia having the Chery Omoda 5, Omoda E5, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro models, how about a stylish new entry to slot in right in the middle of the range? Meet the Tiggo 6, a C-segment electric SUV with unique and sporty looks.
The Tiggo 6 nameplate is new, to be used in the Russian market and a few neighbouring countries. In China, the car actually wears the eQ7 badge, as part of the Ant family – you may remember the cute eQ1 EV, fondly called the Little Ant.
Now, while the car you see here may look new and fresh, it actually isn’t, being a heavy facelift of the Chery eQ5 that has been around since 2020. By China’s freakily fast standards, the base car is practically ancient.
Not that you can tell, of course. To these eyes, the Chery Tiggo 6 looks brand new, futuristic even. It helps that the front resembles the Lotus Eletre, while the two-tone floating roof design looks bang up to date. The interior looks pretty damn stylish too, especially with the interesting colour choice.
Click to enlarge Size wise it is 4,675 mm long, 1,910 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall, with a long 2,830 mm wheelbase. That is considerably larger than the Omoda E5 (4,420 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, 1,600 mm tall, with wheelbase of 2,630 mm) in every single way. It also rides on a more advanced rear-wheel drive skateboard EV platform.
In China, it’s claimed to have a range of up to 512 km on the ultra-lenient CLTC test cycle from its 67.1 kWh battery pack. Power is as much as 306 PS and 285 Nm, with a 0-100 km/h time of around eight seconds.
So it may not quite be as sporty as it looks, but does that really matter to you? Most car buyers make their purchasing decision based on looks alone, and this one certainly stands out. They will have to make a right-hand-drive version first, but would you want Chery Malaysia to bring the Tiggo 6 in to sit above the Omoda E5? Comment below!
GALLERY: 2024 Chery Tiggo 6
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Omoda & Jaecoo: fastest growing brand in the world?
“I can proudly say that we are the fastest expanding car brand in the world,” said Omoda & Jaecoo global CEO, Shawn Xu at Auto China 2024 in Beijing. More than just hot air or self-praise, The Chery International sub-division laid that bold claim based on both market expansion results and actual sales data.
Officially launched just a year ago, Omoda & Jaecoo (cutely referred to as O&J) has aggressively expanded globally, successfully entering more than 40 high-potential markets, Malaysia included. The number of dealer networks in those markets currently stand at 873. That’s one hell of a debut year.
Worth a shout is the recent opening of an assembly plant in Spain, as part of the brand’s “European campaign” – significantly it’s the very first car production facility in Europe run by a Chinese car manufacturer. Local production is important to O&J, following its “In somewhere, For somewhere” philosophy to promote globalisation while supporting localisation.
Omoda & Jaecoo is the fastest-growing auto brand in terms of hard sales numbers too. It took them just five months to reach the 50,000 unit milestone and another three months to hit 100,000 units. In its first full year of sales operations, O&J’s global sales volume has exceeded 160,000 units – the fastest ever recorded for a fledgling car brand.
Mind you, the numbers only count vehicles sold with either Omoda or Jaecoo badges, and don’t include, for instance, the Chery Tansuo 6 models sold in China (essentially the Jaecoo J7 with a different name).
Now if you’re reading this in Malaysia, you may be wondering why at all both Omoda and Jaecoo are considered one single “brand.” After all, the Omoda 5 is sold as a Chery here, while Jaecoo will stand on its own two feet very soon. Well, brand perhaps isn’t the right term to use at all – sub-division is a little more accurate.
You see, Chery International recently decided to split its many brands into three sub-divisions – Chery, Exeed and Omoda & Jaecoo, with the last two combined as one – each with its own CEO and top management teams. Certain new markets however, needed a more tailored approach.
Malaysia is a very good example, where Chery International needed to make a big splash from the get go. The Omoda 5 was chosen for its high market suitability, so Chery went ahead to launch with it first – and what an inspired choice that has proven to be! Soon, Jaecoo will attempt to penetrate the market as a separate entity, and should eventually absorb the Omoda brand back into its fold in the long run.
Confused? So are we, but that’s Chinese car brands for you. In the past years we have familiarised ourselves with the Geely group, and they now have Geometry, Galaxy, Lynk & Co, Zeekr, Radar, and Jiyue under them, just to name a few. Even BYD has expanded to have Yang Wang and Fang Cheng Bao sub-brands.
That aside, what do you think of Omoda & Jaecoo’s meteoric rise in markets across the globe so far? Can Jaecoo make as big an impact as Chery has done in Malaysia? Discuss below.
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Jaecoo J6 EV – rebranded iCar 03 with 501 km range, solar panels, ADAS tech by DJI, 150 km/h top speed
You’re looking at the Jaecoo J6, an all-new entry for Chery’s emergent premium sub-brand. Unlike the ICE or PHEV-powered J7 and J8 however, the smaller J6 is a full fledged EV. As you can see, it’s certainly a cool looking SUV, though its styling doesn’t necessarily conform to that of the rest of the Jaecoo range.
Well, that’s because the J6 isn’t strictly a Jaecoo at all, at least not at birth. In China, it’s sold as the iCar 03 (completely unrelated to the much-rumoured Apple car), which is yet another sub-brand under the Chery umbrella that is targeted at fashion-conscious young people. For export markets though, it will be called the Jaecoo J6.
You may also have noticed that we have two sets of pictures here: one showing the car wearing Jaecoo badging, and the other with its original iCar name. The Jaecoo grille unfortunately loses out on the illuminated i logo that is replicated on both the head- and taillight designs.
Another difference is the large box at the back, which is missing on the Jaecoo display vehicle. Mind you, the external rectangle box fashioned after traditional tailgate-mounted spare tyres on the iCar pre-dates the similar charging cable storage solution on the just-unveiled electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
Beyond that, the J6 has a very distinctive blocky design, which will definitely stand out on Malaysian roads if it is to arrive here. The shape gives off Land Rover Defender vibes for sure, while its small size gives a bit of a Suzuki Jimny 5-door flavour as well. However, it has to be said that in the flesh, the J6 does have an original look of its own, unlike the countless Chinese copycats seen at the ongoing Auto China 2024 in Beijing.
Interesting details include the Defender-aping side-hinged tailgate and the flush self-presenting door handled. However, the latter flicks out towards the back rather than popping out as a whole like in other Jaecoo models (among the few features that draw comparisons with Range Rovers).
Size wise, the Jaecoo J6 measures 4,406 mm long, 1,910 mm wide and 1,715 mm tall. Its wheelbase is relatively long for an SUV this size, at 2,715 mm. The dimensions make it just slightly shorter than the J7 (4,500 mm), though the J6 is a touch wider (+45 mm) and taller (+35 mm).
Inside, it gets a large centre display and a wide-set horizontal dash layout. It feels rather plush to the touch – perhaps even more so than the J7 does – especially with the crystal drive mode selector on the centre console. The doors open via push-buttons a la Tesla, while the grab handles with exposed rivets are inspired by the Defender.
In China, the iCar 03 is available with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive electric motor configurations. According to local Chinese reports, the dual motor version is rated at 279 PS and it can get from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. However, top speed is limited to just 150 km/h. Range is up to 501 km on the CLTC test cycle, using the largest 69.8 kWh CATL-supplied LFP battery option.
Also available is a set of roof-mounted solar panels that can help add charge to the battery pack, as well as ADAS cameras from popular drone-maker DJI. Similar to Tesla Vision, the J6 solely relies on high-definition cameras placed around the vehicle for driving assist functions, without any radars or sensors.
We will know more when exports start, which we’ve been told will be fairly soon. Do you want to see the Jaecoo J6 in Malaysia? Comment below.
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