Jaecoo J7 PHEV to launch in Malaysia this month – 1200km range.

Eight months after its initial preview in Malaysia, the Jaecoo J7 PHEV is finally set to be launched this month. Jaecoo Malaysia recently confirmed this news, and the brand has now kicked off its teaser campaign with a social media post.

At launch, the J7 PHEV will be a locally assembled, front-wheel-drive model, with an estimated price of RM170,000. However, given Jaecoo’s track record in Malaysia, the final retail price could end up being lower.

Mechanically, the biggest difference from the standard J7 is under the bonnet. The PHEV swaps out the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for a hybrid-specific 1.5-litre turbo engine, producing 143 PS and 215 Nm. This is paired with a 204 PS/310 Nm electric motor and a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), resulting in a combined output of 347 PS and 525 Nm.

Performance-wise, the J7 PHEV shaves 0.7 seconds off its 0-100 km/h time compared to its petrol-only counterpart, now clocking in at 8.5 seconds. But the bigger story here is efficiency—Jaecoo claims fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 km, with only a slight increase to 5.99 litres per 100 km when the battery is depleted.

The J7 PHEV is equipped with an 18.3 kWh BYD-sourced Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, giving it a WLTP-rated pure electric range of 88 km. With a 60-litre fuel tank onboard, Jaecoo claims the total driving range can reach up to 1,200 km.

The J7 PHEV is just one part of Jaecoo’s broader push into the Malaysian market. The company has confirmed that it will also be launching the fully electric J6 and the larger, three-row J8 later this year.

While Jaecoo is still a relatively new player in Malaysia, the J7 PHEV’s combination of performance, efficiency, and practicality could make it a compelling alternative in the growing plug-in hybrid segment. That said, the final verdict will depend on how it holds up against competitors once it’s officially launched later this month.