For years, us South Africans stuck to our favorite brands when it came to cars. Newbies like Daewoo, Dacia, Chery (the first time around), and Infiniti didn't really catch our eye. But things have changed lately.
Haval and Chery are making waves with their comebacks, and now we've got a bunch of fresh faces joining the party. Some are even launching sub-brands here and doing pretty darn well at it.
Chery's comeback has been a real success story, followed swiftly by Omoda, and now we've got Jaecoo in the mix. They're the first to bring Right Hand Drive models here straight out of China, which says a lot about their faith in our market.
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Jaecoo, by the way, gets its name from the German word 'Jaeger', meaning hunter, and 'Cool'. Clearly, they're targeting the young, adventurous crowd, and the designs show it. They've got this standout grille and sleek lines that set them apart from the boxier SUVs out there.
The launch event was split into two parts: first, an on-road experience through Jo'burg and out to the Lion and Safari Park. The cars handled well, especially the top-of-the-line Inferno model I was lucky enough to drive. Smooth performance, luxury vibes all around.
Then came the real test: tackling rough, rocky terrain in the park. But these cars handled it like champs, even the front-wheel drive versions. Smooth sailing all the way.
Under the hood, you'll find a 1,6-litre turbo-petrol engine in all models, pumping out 145 kW and 290 Nm, paired with a slick 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Plenty of power for highway passing, and the fuel economy is seriously impressive.
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Now, let's talk specs. The Vortex model kicks things off with leather seats, a full-size spare wheel, power tailgate, wireless charging, and some seriously advanced camera tech.
Move up to the Glacier, and you'll get bigger wheels, a massive screen, panoramic sunroof, and some top-notch driver assistance systems.
But the real king of the hill is the Inferno. It adds all-wheel drive with seven driving modes, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a bunch of safety features that'll make you feel like you're driving in the future.
And when they announced the prices, there was a moment of stunned silence followed by cheers all around. Seems like Jaecoo has caught everyone's attention, from the media to the glam crowd of Jo'burg.
The pricing is: Vortex R549 999
Glacier R599 999
Inferno R679 999
All models include the 10 year/ 1 million km Engine warranty for the 1st owner, a 5-year/ 150 000 km standard warranty and 5-year/ 70 000 km service plan.
Click here for our full video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT_F4qF3e2A
Alan Rosenmeyer
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