Going premium? Chery unveils three new plug-in hybrids including Tiggo 9 SUV and two SUVs from upmarket Jaecoo sub-brand, confirmed for Australia

Three new plug-in hybrid SUVs have been revealed by Chery and its premium sub-brand Jaecoo at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, all likely for an Australian launch.

Jaecoo is locked in to arrive in Australia this year and the plug-in hybrid J7 and J8 SUVs both on the cards to arrive on our roads later this year.

Chery’s Jaecoo brand appears to have the same function as Lexus to Toyota or Genesis to Hyundai, though a press statement confirming the models’ impending Australian launch touts their “prodigious off-road capability”.

Both J7 and J8 feature an all-new PHEV set-up according to the brand, with both all-wheel drive plug-ins featuring turbocharged 1.5-litre engines - in the J7 paired with an electric motor and battery that allows a claimed electric range of up to 88.5km.

While the J7’s plug-in hybrid combo is good for 259kW and 525Nm, the J8 steps it up to 451kW and 915Nm with its ‘front and rear high-power electric motors’. Both have V2L capability for using the vehicles’ battery to run appliances or equipment, though the specific features and trim levels haven’t been detailed.

While the J7 is confirmed for Australia in petrol guise, the PHEVs aren’t specifically locked in with launch timing or details.

Along with the Jaecoo SUVs, Chery also debuted the newest member of the Tiggo family, a badge name that’s already made it to Australia.

The Tiggo 9 PHEV could join the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro Max in Australia to top the brand’s SUV range, with its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and electric motor making 175kW/385Nm.

The Chinese brand claims the Tiggo 9 PHEV drinks 5.2L/100km - a figure Chery optimistically claims would result in a 1400km total driving range on a single tank.

The Tiggo 9 large SUV has been detailed in slightly greater detail than the Jaecoo models, boasting a 15.6-inch 2.5K multimedia display, ‘3D-stitched’ seating and a set of 20-inch wheels. Chery even notes the “eye-catching” octagonal grille - something that might catch the eye of Audi owners specifically.