JSW Motors' Upcoming Electrified SUVs: Jetour T2 To Chery iCar V23
JSW Group will soon be entering the Indian automotive market with its new brand, which will be called JSW Motors. This will be a separate company and not a merger with JSW MG Motor India. Under this brand, the company is planning to launch four electrified SUVs. So today, we will be providing you with all the details of these upcoming SUVs.
The first product to be launched under the JSW brand in India is most likely to be a rebadged version of the Jetour T2. This SUV has already been spotted testing on Indian roads and will most likely be launched around October of this year.
In terms of styling, the T2 plug-in hybrid SUV will feature a bold and upright stance, which will give it a strong road presence. Globally, it is available in both five-seater and seven-seater configurations. However, in India, it is expected to come as the seven-seater version.
The Jetour T2 will be brought to India as a CKD unit and assembled locally. The main highlight of this SUV will be its plug-in hybrid powertrain. This setup will include a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which will come paired with dual electric motors and a 26.7 kWh battery pack.
This combination will produce around 375 bhp and 610 Nm of torque, which will make it one of the most powerful SUVs in the country. It is also expected to offer an electric-only driving range of around 100 km. Pricing will be in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 45 lakh.
JSW is also planning to introduce a rebadged version of the Chery iCar V23. This SUV has also been spotted testing in India. The Chery iCar V23 will be aimed at lifestyle-oriented buyers who want a rugged-looking EV. The design of this SUV will be one of its biggest highlights.
The Chery iCar V23 will feature a boxy silhouette and draw its inspiration from iconic SUVs like the Land Rover Defender, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota FJ Cruiser. Its design and stance will give it a very distinct and appealing road presence.
On the inside, the V23 will be loaded with tech, and its cabin will feature a large 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and powered and ventilated front seats.
Internationally, this SUV is available with two battery pack options. The smaller 59.93 kWh battery comes with a rear-wheel-drive setup and offers around 401 km of range. Meanwhile, the larger 81.76 kWh battery comes paired with an all-wheel-drive system and offers up to 510 km of range.
In terms of performance, the RWD version produces 136 bhp and 180 Nm. On the other hand, the AWD version generates 211 bhp and 292 Nm. The AWD variant can also accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in around 7.5 seconds. As for the RWD version, it takes about 11 seconds. Both versions have a top speed of 140 kmph. Pricing of the Chery iCar V23 will be in the range of Rs 20 to Rs 25 lakh.
Another important product in JSW’s lineup will be the Jaecoo J5 electric SUV. Like the SUVs mentioned above, this model has also been spotted testing in India. The J5 EV will be positioned in the premium mid-size EV segment, which currently has the Hyundai Creta Electric, Harrier.ev, and many others.
Coming to the design of the J5, it will be a very subtle SUV compared to other SUVs from the brand. It takes inspiration from classy Range Rover models and will feature a clean and minimalist design language. It will come equipped with slim LED headlamps, connected tail lamps, and 19-inch wheels.
The cabin is expected to be feature-rich. It will include a large vertically oriented touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and a 540-degree camera system. It will also get powered and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control, and Level 2 ADAS.
Powering the J5 will be a front-mounted electric motor, which will produce around 210 to 211 bhp and 288 Nm of torque. It will be paired with a battery pack of around 58.9 to 60.9 kWh and offer a claimed range of around 400 to 460 km, depending on the testing cycle. It will most likely be priced around Rs 18 to Rs 22 lakh.
JSW Motors also recently filed a patent for the Chery Tiggo 8. This will most likely serve as the flagship SUV in its lineup. This is a large three-row SUV that measures over 4.7 metres in length. In terms of design, the Tiggo 8 will feature a bold front grille with chrome detailing, a split headlamp setup, and an upright stance.
On the inside, the SUV is expected to offer a premium cabin with soft-touch materials and a long list of features. These will include a 15.6-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, a 540-degree camera, 50W wireless charging, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, a built-in dash cam, a 12-speaker sound system, and Level 2 ADAS.
Internationally, the Tiggo 8 is offered with multiple powertrain options. These include a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which makes 241 bhp and 390 Nm and comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. There is also a 1.5-litre hybrid petrol option available.
The SUV also gets an intelligent all-wheel-drive system in international markets. If launched in India, the Tiggo 8 is expected to be priced between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh and will rival the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV700, along with others.