Soon-to-launch plug-in hybrid version of Jaecoo J8 boasts over 300kW of power and adds seven-seat flexibility
Omoda Jaecoo has today confirmed a three-motor ‘SHS’ plug-in hybrid variant of its J8 premium midsize SUV, which is set to debut by the end of July.
Chasing Cars understands pricing for the Jaecoo J8 SHS should be in the realm of $60,000 before on-road costs, in line with its platform-shared siblings in the two-row Omoda 9 SHS coupe-SUV (from $61,990) and three-row Chery Tiggo 9 (from $59,990).
The J8’s Chery-Group-sourced plug-in hybrid drivetrain will join the existing turbo-petrol option for the J8, priced from $54,990 drive-away J8 Ridge AWD.
But where the J8 Ridge is sold exclusively as a five-seater, the J8 PHEV will instead offer seven-seats, in a near identical product offering to the closely related Chery Tiggo 9.
In addition to its siblings, the J8 SHS will rival fight for sales against the $58,990 before on-road costs Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen Tayron (from $62,390).
Those cars offer combined outputs of around 200kW while the J8’s three electric motors, 34kWh lithium-ion battery and 1.5-litre turbo-four work in tandem to produce 315kW and 580Nm – around 30-percent more than its rivals, according to UK market specifications.
But despite the J8’s bump in power, its 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.8 seconds is identical to the two-row Mazda CX-60 and Toyota RAV4 PHEV (when optioned with all-wheel drive), while the Mitsubishi Outlander places behind the pack with a time of around 8.5 seconds.
The J8 PHEV’s dimensions are expected to remain unchanged at 4820mm long, 1930mm wide, and 1710mm tall, driving on a 2820mm wheelbase – making it dimensionally similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe.
In the UK, the Jaecoo J8 SHS claims an EV driving range of 134km and theoretical combined driving distance exceeding 1100km.
EV battery charging should take around 25 minutes to charge from 30 to 80-percent on DC power (peaking at 70kW) while AC charging from 30-percent to full is expected to take about 5.5 hours, peaking at 6.6kW.
Expect a similar specification list to the petrol-only J8 Ridge flagship, which is headlined by:
Dual 12.3-inch LCD displays
14-speaker sound system
Leather upholstery
Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats
20-inch alloy wheels
LED brightwork
Power tailgate
CDC electronic adaptive suspension
Heated and ventilated rear seats
A confirmation of specifications for the J8 PHEV will be revealed closer to its July 2026 launch.