PH-bound Jaecoo 7 passes 16,093-km test; altitude trial is next

Extreme 16,093-km drive tested the Jaecoo 7 under extreme heat and cold

In early May of this year, Jaecoo – a sub-brand of Chery – announced that it will bring the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of the 7 compact crossover to the Philippines. It decided against the non-PHEV model because of higher tax implications.

So, is the Jaecoo 7 any good? Can it surpass the expectations of a new Chinese marque and model? If this 16,093-kilometer (10,000 miles) test in China is any indication, it should fare well in our relatively tropical (and sometimes temperate) climate.

The Jaecoo 7’s test started in Wuhu near the east coast of China, all the way to Golmund (in Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province), but not before going to Turpan in Central China and then doubling back to Dunhuang.

On its way to Turpan, the Jaecoo 7 went through the intense summer heat with temperatures exceeding 51℃. The tests included brake heat fade under high temperatures, hot start, dust under high temperatures, durability under high temperatures, and air-conditioning cooling. Along the way, it maintained a clean and tidy interior with good dust and sealing performance. The climate control system cooled the cabin, which was at 80℃, in just 10 minutes.

Using its Ardis all-road intelligent off-road system, the Jaecoo 7 overcame terrain challenges the drive presented. It uses a Qualcomm 8155 chip that has a 540° transparent chassis environment recognition system to allow the vehicle to dynamically adjust and deliver high off-road performance in real time.

What is next for the Jaecoo 7 after passing the 16,093-kilometer (10,000 miles) test? It is headed for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China for an altitude test that will see the marque bring the vehicle 5,200 meters above sea level.

How will it do? Watch this space for updates.