The Jaecoo J5 EV was previewed in Malaysia last week, ahead of its expected local introduction later this year. The electric SUV is set to arrive in locally assembled CKD form from launch, joining the petrol-powered Jaecoo J5 that was introduced earlier this year.
For Malaysia, the J5 EV is powered by a front-mounted electric motor producing 211 PS and 288 Nm of torque. This allows the electric SUV to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 175 km/h.
The Malaysian-spec J5 EV uses a 58.9 kWh CATL LFP battery, which is larger than the battery used in the Thai-market model. It offers a WLTP-rated range of 402 km.
Charging supports up to 130 kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to be charged from 30 to 80% in 28 minutes. AC charging is rated at up to 11 kW, and the J5 EV also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.
The J5 EV uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multilink suspension setup at the rear, similar to the petrol model. However, the suspension has been retuned to account for the added weight of the electric powertrain. Ground clearance remains at 175 mm.
Visually, the EV version gets several changes to differentiate it from the petrol J5. These include a closed-off front grille, a rectangular lower intake with an active shutter, a perforated body-coloured front section, a BEV badge and 18-inch two-tone aero-style wheels. The charging port is located on the driver’s side front fender and is electrically operated.
Inside, the overall cabin layout is largely carried over from the petrol J5. The EV gets a minimalist dashboard, a 13.2-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, an 8.88-inch digital instrument display and a waterfall-style centre console.
The J5 EV also retains Jaecoo’s pet-friendly positioning. Features include TUV-certified anti-bacterial, scratch-resistant and low-VOC faux leather upholstery, as well as Pet Mode, which keeps the air-conditioning running when the vehicle is locked. A Camping Mode is also included.
Boot space is rated at 480 litres, matching the petrol model, while the EV adds a 35-litre front trunk.
Equipment is expected to be largely similar to the petrol-powered J5. This includes power-adjustable front seats with ventilation, double-glazed front side windows, a massive panoramic glass roof, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 50-watt wireless charger, 360-degree camera with transparency view and a powered tailgate.
Safety equipment is also expected to carry over from the petrol J5, which gets six airbags and a full suite of driver assistance systems. These include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering assist, curve speed reduction, evasive steering assist, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, rear cross traffic alert with automatic braking and door opening warning.
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