Nine hundred horsepower, triple differential locks, and the ability to cross rivers: the undisputed king of Chinese off-roaders has arrived to challenge the established global hierarchy.
The automotive world witnessed a significant shift on 18 November 2025, as Chery’s premium sub-brand, Jetour, staged the global debut in Dubai of its flagship G700. Positioned as an all-terrain premium hybrid off-road SUV, the G700 first entered the Chinese market in October 2025 before rapidly expanding into the Middle East and Africa. With a starting price of approximately $46,300 in its home market and around AED 179,000 in the UAE, the vehicle targets a massive shift in consumer expectations, promising to blend rugged capability with high-end electrification.
Engineering Excellence: The Kunpeng CDM-O System
At the core of this engineering feat is the Kunpeng CDM-O hybrid system, which pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with high-output dual electric motors and a 2-speed DHT transmission. The result is a staggering combined output of 665 kW—equivalent to roughly 904 hp—and 1,135 Nm of torque. This enables the three-tonne premium off-road SUV to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, a figure that puts many traditional sports cars to shame. Despite this ferocious power, the G700 maintains a practical 150 km pure electric range and a total comprehensive range of up to 1,400 km, supported by a 31.4 kWh LFP battery that can charge from 20 to 80 per cent in just ten minutes thanks to its 800V architecture.
The roles within this complex machine are expertly divided: Chery provides the high-efficiency internal combustion heart; CATL supplies the ultra-fast-charging Shenxing batteries; and the intelligent ‘Falcon 700’ ADAS system, powered by Huawei’s Qiankun architecture, manages the vehicle’s Level 2+ autonomous features. This collaborative ecosystem allows the G700 to navigate both high-speed motorways and extreme terrains with equal composure, utilising an XWD intelligent system with over 14 specialised driving modes that adapt in real-time to sand, mud, or rock.
Market Strategy and Global Disruption
This launch signals a broader strategic pivot for Jetour, moving from budget-friendly family haulers to high-performance, specialised equipment. Jetour is scaling rapidly into emerging markets where demand for robust hybrid power is peaking. This is particularly evident in West Africa, following the successful T2 Traveller launch which set the stage for more premium offerings. By focusing on the Middle East and Africa, the brand is securing a foothold in regions where traditional icons like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender have long reigned supreme, but often at twice the price point of the G700.
In terms of global market comparison, the G700 represents a radical alternative to the established guard. While luxury European manufacturers have traditionally focused on legacy prestige, Jetour has prioritised raw technical specifications that seem almost hyperbolic. This includes a 970 mm wading depth, triple electronic differential locks, and a body-on-frame chassis with a torsional rigidity of over 10,000 N·m/deg. Perhaps most unique is the inclusion of an external oxygen generator, a feature specifically designed for high-altitude adventures that no competitor currently offers.
Off-Road Capability and Interior Luxury
The execution of the G700 rollout has been remarkably swift. From its initial reveal at the Chengdu Auto Show to its deployment at the Bahrain International Circuit for drag races, the brand has prioritised demonstrating its performance credentials immediately. The vehicle’s engine and dimensions are massive, yet it achieves a fuel efficiency of just 1.39 L/100 km in hybrid mode. This balance of size and sustainability is a key pillar of the GAIA Architecture, which underpins the vehicle and allows for the integration of advanced air suspension that can adjust the ride height by up to 140 mm via CDC adaptive damping.
Inside the cabin, the G700 shifts the focus toward ‘ultra-luxury’ with Nappa leather massage seats, a 35.4-inch 3K panoramic display, and an 18-speaker Lexicon audio system with Dolby Atmos. This push for high-tech interiors is part of a wider initiative to bring AI-enhanced SUVs to global markets, ensuring that the driving experience is as intelligent as it is powerful. The interior isn’t just about screens, however; the top-tier ‘Intelligent Horizon Edition’ includes military-grade rear turboprops for extreme off-road assistance, providing 3,000 N of additional thrust in bogged-down scenarios.
A New Chapter in Automotive Performance
Ultimately, the UAE market entry and subsequent African rollout of the G700 mark a new phase in the global automotive hierarchy. It proves that the ‘horsepower war’ is no longer the exclusive playground of exotic Italian manufacturers, but is now a tool for mass-market off-roaders seeking to democratise performance. As these hybrid titans begin to populate the dunes of Dubai and the roads of Lagos, a fundamental question remains: will the incredible value and sheer power of the G700 be enough to convince traditionalists to leave their unpowered petrol legends behind?
