All-electric 'Jaecoo's Jimny' is coming to SA!

This cute all-electric off-roader is on its way to South Africa and we've had a quick drive. Here's all you need to know about the Jaecoo J6.

- David Taylor

Meet the Jaecoo J6, at least that's what it will be called when it arrives in South Africa. There's no confirmed arrival date, but we estimate that it will touch down in Mzansi by the middle of 2025.

In China, this model is known as the iCar 03, and despite its stylised moniker, there's no link to Apple Inc! iCar is Chery's electric car brand in China, but the group uses Omoda and Jaecoo names in export markets. While Omoda is for trendy urbanites, Jaecoo appeals to off-road adventurers.

Just look at it - in all of its unashamedly boxy magnificence! We revel in the resurgence of vehicles with squaredoff extremities, and you could think of this as a digital and all-electric Suzuki Jimny. In terms of size, the Jaecoo J6 is 4,41m long (Toyota Corolla Crosssize), 1,91m wide and 1,72m tall.

Importantly, the J6's wheelbase is 2,72m long, which means that the model can comfortably seat four adults. To use the Corolla Cross as a reference point again, that model’s wheelbase measures 2,64m.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

As we type this in May 2024, it’s still early in the Jaecoo J6’s marketlaunch process. We do know the vehicle will be touching down in South Africa, but exact derivatives will only be confirmed much later.

The Jaecoo J6 is available in several derivatives. Right now, it’s electric only, but we wouldn’t put it past China’s third-largest carmaker to reconfigure the platform for internal combustion power.

There’s a single motor with rear-wheel drive that makes 135kW and 184Nm. The dual-motor with four-wheel drive set-up offers peak outputs of 205kW and 279Nm, plus it has a claimed 0-100km/h time of around 6,5s.