Australian plug-in ‘super hybrid’ onslaught continues with yet another rival for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6

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Chery Australia subdivision Omoda Jaecoo has scheduled its new midsize plug-in hybrid SUV, known as the Omoda 9, for an August debut. 

Priced at $61,990 before on-road costs, the new Omoda 9 takes the title of Chery / Omoda / Jaecoo’s most expensive product in Australia, easily toppling the once-flagship Jaecoo J8 Ridge, which is priced at $54,990 drive-away.

The Omoda 9 will launch in a single range-topping trim level, Virtue, and rivals Australia’s current best selling PHEVs, the $52,990 BYD Sealion 6 Premium, and $69,290 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed. Prices shown are before on-road costs.

Much like the longstanding segment leaders, the Omoda 9 is slightly larger than most midsized SUVs. It measures 4775mm long, 1920mm wide, 1671mm tall with a 2800mm wheelbase. 

These specs are nearly identical dimensionally to the Sealion 6, but gain 50mm in length and width compared to an Outlander PHEV. 

Stand-out equipment on the Omoda 9 Virtue includes:

• 360-degree surround view camera
• In-built dashcam 
• 8-way power-adjust driver’s seat
• Heated and ventilated leather front and rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual 12.3-inch LCD screens (cluster and infotainment)
• 14-speaker Sony sound system 
• Heads-up display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired + wireless)
• Wireless phone charger
• Panoramic sunroof
• Powered bootlid
• LED brightwork inc. headlights, DRLs and taillights
• 20-inch alloy wheels

The Omoda 9 will be available in four colours upon launch: Silk White, Dove Grey, Shadow Grey (matte) and Ink Black. Regardless of colour, the Omoda 9 comes with an eight-year, unlimited kilometre warranty for both the vehicle and batteries, as well eight-year capped price servicing and roadside assistance. 

Omoda Super Hybrid System

The Omoda 9 ‘Virtue’ will be exclusively available as a ‘Super Hybrid System’ (SHS) plug-in, with a claimed EV-only range of up to 169km (NEDC).

The Chery-derived plug-in hybrid system makes use of an increasingly familiar 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four which also features in the Jaecoo J7 SHS, Chery Tiggo 7 SHS and Chery Tiggo 8 SHS. 

Not so familiar is a new three-speed hybrid transmission, three electric motors and the prospect of all-wheel drive. Two electric motors feature at the front of the car, with a larger single unit featuring at the back. 

The hybrid system claims a combined output of 395kW – a figure in the ballpark of BMW’s M3 Competition (390kW) or Porsche’s 911 Carrera GTS (398kW). At full pelt, the 2570kg (GVM) Omoda 9 will sprint from 0-100km/hr in 4.9 seconds. 

Omoda’s flagship powertrain also introduces a larger 34kWh NMC battery, rather than the 18.3kWh LFP unit seen in the Jaecoo and Chery SHS models. 

AC charging peaks at 6.6kW, meaning a 30-100 percent charge time of 5.5 hours, while DC charging peaks at 70kW, replenishing charge from 30-80 percent in 25 minutes.  

Combined fuel consumption is quoted as 1.4L/100km, matching the economy figure claimed by the lighter, less powerful Chery Tiggo 7 SHS. Omoda Jaecoo additionally claims the Omoda 9 can accomplish a total combined driving range of 1100km.

The Omoda 9 joins the ranks of a growing number of plug-in hybrid vehicles which market as ‘super hybrids’, including the Jaecoo J7 SHS, Chery Tiggo 7, 8, and upcoming 9 SHS, the MG HS Super Hybrid, and the soon to launch Geely Starray EM-i.