THE ONE WITH A PLUG-IN HYBRID HEART

Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM enters PHL market

- Joyce Reyes-Aguila

JETOUR AUTO PHILIPPINES’ “next-generation hybrid” sports utility vehicle (SUV) now debuts in the Philippine market.

The Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM (or intelligent dual motor) combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine generating 140hp and 215Nm of torque with an electric motor that adds 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque. Its 26.7kWh battery can charge from 30% to 80% capacity in as little as 30 minutes.

“The T1 Lightning i-DM is an important addition to Jetour’s hybrid products,” Jetour Auto International President Ke Chuandeng told the audience at the local launch of the vehicle last week. “It strengthens the (brand’s) popular ‘T’ segment and continues to upgrade the value of the off-road segment of Jetour.” The T Series is differentiated as off-road-capable versus the X-predicated offerings, which are typically more “road-focused” crossovers.

Responding to a question from “Velocity” on how the brand’s latest offering will set itself apart in its competitive segment, Mr. Chuandeng said the T1 Lighting i-DM is equally adept as an urban SUV and off-road vehicle as it shares a “quite” similar chassis with the larger T2. “I believe our PHEV technology is the best in terms of the powertrain because of our group, the Chery Group.” Jetour is among the subsidiaries of the Wuhu, Anhui, China-headquartered auto marque. Incidentally, both brands are distributed by United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI) in the Philippines.

UAGI Executive Director Timothy Sytin: “In just two and a half years since Jetour arrived in the Philippines, we have seen incredible growth with more showrooms across the country, more models introduced, and most importantly, more Filipinos experiencing what Jetour stands for.”