Omoda C9 PHEV packs punch

Vehicle's hardcore performance proves to be a Golf GTI-killer.

- Mark Jones

There is no denying that Omoda has made a big splash with the introduction of their C9 PHEV. This SUV has mostly been paraded around as a fashion accessory. It's always seen on display at high-end celeb events, with the most recent being the Durban July.

But this Omoda C9 has another side to it, and that is its hardcore performance capabilities. Not only is it faster than any other SUV at the price. This family SUV can also straight up destroy a VW Golf 8 GTI out on the road.

You see, PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and this means that the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine gets a proper shot of electricity. Making only 105kW and 215Nm the petrol engine would not even be a threat to VW Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI. But add a 34.5kWh battery into the mix that drives four electric motors, one at each wheel, and you have a 440kW/915Nm GTI killer.

This battery adds 335kW of power and 700Nm of torque, and this extra urge is driven down to all four wheels via a 3-speed DHT auto box. Stomping on the accelerator of the Omoda C9 PHEV produced a tested time of 5.16 seconds, which is fractionally slower than the claimed 4.9 seconds, but it's way quicker than the 5.88 posted by the VW Golf 8 GTI.

Is there a downside? And the short answer is yes.