CAR Intern Cale Nuttall checks in from the Omoda & Jaecoo stand at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, which kicked off on 24 April 2026.
We visited the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, which started on 24 April, with Omoda & Jaecoo to get up close to this Chery sub-brand’s latest models and see what the automaker has planned for South Africa. Here’s what stood out and what’s confirmed for SA.
Omoda C4
The production version of the Omoda C4 made its official debut at the Beijing show. In South Africa, it’s confirmed for 2026 and will be offered with atmospheric and turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines. Omoda is still weighing its transmission choices for SA, including CVT, dual-clutch, and possibly a manual. Hybrid options (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery-electric (BEV) variants are expected to come later.
Image: Supplied
Omoda E5
Also on display was the Omoda C5 EV, referred to as the E5. It’s not yet confirmed for our market, but it’s the electric sibling to the C5. The E5 rides on a revised exterior design and is powered by a 150 kW/340 N.m front-mounted electric motor, fed by a 61 kWh battery, with a claimed range of 430 km on a full charge.
Image: Supplied
Jaecoo J8
The Jaecoo J8 is another model set to join Omoda & Jaecoo’s local line-up in the future. It would sit above the J7 as the brand’s flagship in SA. We tested the J8 in a PHEV seven-seater configuration. If it arrives, expect a pricing range similar to the Omoda C9 and the Chery Tiggo 9, since it shares the same T2X platform. The petrol version uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 195 kW and 400 N.m, paired with a dual-clutch transmission and either 2WD or AWD. The 1.5-litre PHEV variant delivers a claimed 445 kW and 920 N.m.
Image: Jaecoo
Jaecoo J5 SHS HEV
Another model we checked out was the Jaecoo J5 SHS HEV. This is the hybrid version that shares its platform and some styling with the Omoda C5 SHS HEV. The J5 SHS HEV uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor backed by a 1.83 kWh battery, delivering a combined 165 kW and 295 N.m of torque. Power goes to the front wheels via a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT).
Image: Supplied
9 Countries Super Hybrid Marathon
One of the most insightful experiences in China was taking part in the brand’s “9 Countries Super Hybrid Marathon” on behalf of SA. It’s a long-distance road test where we competed against eight other countries to see who could achieve the lowest fuel consumption in the SA-bound Jaecoo J5 hybrid. After two days on the road, we finished with an average of 3.7 L/100 km, earning bronze behind Spain (3.5 L/100 km) and Brazil (3.4 L/100 km).
The J5 SHS HEV’s powertrain, which shares its DNA with the C5 SHS HEV, combines a turbo 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor and a 1.83 kWh battery, generating a combined 165 kW and 295 N.m of torque. It sends power to the front wheels through a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT).
