Zongheng line takes the Jetour off-road brand into premium territory with the likes of Fangchengbao and Yangwang in its sights.
Chery has introduced a high-end arm of their SUV-focused Jetour brand, dubbed Zongheng, which will include a flagship model capable of swimming for 40 minutes.
The launch marks Jetour’s entry into the premium segment of China’s automotive market, targeting consumers seeking high-performance, luxury SUVs with advanced new energy technology.
All three models are built on Chery’s Kunlun platform, which supports PHEV, EREV, and BEV drivetrains, though these models are expected to use a mix of plug-in and extended range hybrids to begin with.
Both the G700 and G900 are SUVs, while the F700 is a dual-cab pick-up, though only the G700 looks production-ready with the other two distinctly concept-like in form at the moment.
G700
The G700 is a rugged, three-row, six-seat SUV with an unmistakeable likeness to the Fangchengbao Bao 5, though at 5,198mm long and 2,050mm wide, it has a significantly larger footprint than its BYD-owned rival.
It’s marginally taller too standing at 1,936mm, though ground clearance is adjustable between 150mm and 350mm with the inclusion of air suspension, while the wheelbase is a sizeable 3,100mm, offering plenty of space between the axles.
Like the Bao 5, the G700 utilises a body-on-frame chassis, and adopts a similar style of hybrid drivetrain in the form of Chery’s CDM-O hybrid technology, combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, 2-drive direct hybrid transmission, and dual motors for a combined output of 560kW and 795Nm of torque.
It also boasts an 800-volt platform for claimed 6C charging with the supercharged Kirin battery from CATL, which Chery claims can charge from 20-80% in just six minutes. Combined, it has a range of 1,400km, with pure electric range expected to be around 150km.
Inside, we can see that the G700 features a dual-layer dash similar to that in AVATR models, with a large central screen joined by a large strip screen across the back of the dashboard in place of a HUD.
A single wireless charger sits amid a plethora of switchgear, some of which we expect to be differential locking switches, while Lexicon speakers can be seen across the cabin.
In the second row, individual seats feature built-in armrests, while the passenger side seat gets a legrest and a footrest it seems on the back of the front seat. All rear passengers can enjoy entertainment on a screen that folds down from the roof.
Chery says the G700 will also utilise the Huawei Qiankun 3.0 ADAS system for urban autonomous driving capability, as well as satellite connectivity to ensure it can still communicate in remote environments.
G900 – The Yangwang U8 rival that can swim
The G900, the expected flagship of the Zongheng range, was previewed the day before the event swimming across a lake in a move that looks to one-up the Yangwang U8.
The car shown in the video actually showed more resemblance to the G700 with an extension panel between the front and rear doors, but the G900 concept model is expected to more closely represent the final product.
This one is expected to use the Zongheng extended range platform which is said to boast output of as much as 1,572hp, which suggests a quad-motor set-up might be in the offing.
Chery claims the G900 can swim for up to 40 minutes at 8.5kph and can even cross the Yangtze River thanks to IPX8-rated watertightness. Apparently one motor has been developed in-house by Chery exactly for this purpose, and if you look closely at the third picture you can see a kind of turbine on the rear left corner.
F700
Less was revealed about the F700 pick-up concept, other than to say that it will utilise the same Kunlun platform as the other models.
What we can see is that it sports suicide doors and a pillarless entry to a four-seater cabin that looks notably more luxurious than we’d expect a final product to look.
Muscular wheelarches and chunky details all over give the F700 a purposeful stance while the black panels front and rear, as well as black A-pillar and floating C-pillar add to the concept vibe.
Based on the name alone we’d expect it to use the same powertrain as the G700, but it’s equally likely it could adopt a fully electric drivetrain and the closed-off panelling around the front backs this up.
