By Otsile Kadiege

Soon, Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa will add a new derivative to the popular J7 line-up. The upcoming model variant will be a plug-in hybrid, called the J7 SHS, which recently received a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Top Marks in Euro NCAP Safety Rating

In the adult occupant protection test, the J7 SHS scored 81%, and achieved 80% in the child occupant protection, vulnerable road user, and safety assist categories. These results reflect Jaecoo’s commitment to global standards in manufacturing excellence and occupant safety.

The J7 SHS delivered an especially strong performance in the child occupant safety assessment, which measures crash protection for six- and ten-year-old children. Scoring 23.5 out of 24 points, this is a standout result for a vehicle designed to serve as a family car.

Performance

Powered by a fifth-generation 1.5 TGDI Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE) with a thermal efficiency of 44.5%, the Jaecoo J7 SHS pairs this advanced powertrain with an intelligent energy management system that delivers strong acceleration while maintaining low fuel consumption. The battery system supports an extended pure-electric range and operates efficiently in extreme temperatures, with a usable range from -35°C to 60°C.

In endurance testing, the J7 SHS has proven its efficiency and reliability. A recent 1,100 km efficiency tour from Cape Town to Gqeberha recorded an average fuel consumption of just 4.88 L/100 km—a remarkable achievement for a vehicle producing 255 kW and 525 N.m of torque. Further testing in South America underscored its long-distance capabilities, with the J7 SHS achieving an impressive 1,453.9 km on a single tank of fuel.