GREASED LIGHTNING
Jetour is one of the fastest-growing brands in the world today.
Starting from its debut in 2018 with about 40,000 units sold globally, the Chinese vehicle brand manufactured under Chery Holding Group immediately ballooned to about 500,000 sold units in 2024 after just roughly six years in the market.
Here in the country, the brand is known for its bold, topnotch, avant-garde yet value-for-money product offerings. And just after a couple of years since its local inception, the marque is one of the most-sought- after Chinese brands in the local market today. And a recent test drive activity was one example of this.
After the grand launch of the all-new Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM held in Okada Manila in Pasay City, the vehicle eventually found its way to the hands of our local motoring journalists eager to take it out for a spin and take first dibs.
With about 10 vehicle units, the media test drive activity took us from the Jetour Quezon Avenue dealership all the way to Subic in Zambales. The three-hour journey on a long 170 kilometer stretch allowed us to get acquainted with the T1 SUV.
At the onset, this sport-ute exudes a robust, muscular appeal, similar to that of its brother, the T2.
However, unlike the T2, the former is built for the urban setting, the mundane “daily-driven” city driving and the occasional long-distance trips. The T2, on the other hand, is engineered for the rough and tough, for adventure-seekers and overland travel.
At its front fascia, the Jetour T1 features matrix LED headlights with adaptive front-lighting, auto-leveling, and follow-me-home features. These come extra special with lighting system consisting of LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, water flow-style turn signals, and puddle lamps with the Jetour logo.
Its exterior is an amalgam of sophisticated and premium panache yet Spartan-ready functionality.
Inside, the T1 Lightning i-DM is loaded with technology, not to mention comfort and traveling in style.
First, it features a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 15.6-inch center control LCD screen. Passengers are protected from the elements by nine-layer sun protection glass and five-layer soundproof glass.
This allowed outside noise while traversing the loud preposterous metro traffic at bay, making our trip quiet and more relaxing.
Plus, added creature comforts such as the adaptive ventilation, which adjusts based on body weight, and a 24-hour parked air conditioning function all the more makes traveling with bliss and a walk in the park.
Moreover, the vehicle’s 26.7 kWh battery makes fast DC charging, reaching 30 to 80-percent capacity in just 30 minutes.
Likewise, the cabin makes smart use of the following: a combination of leather, eco-friendly materials, and microfiber vinyl, 2+3 configuration seats, folding center armrest with cup holders, panoramic sunroof and many others.
Under its hood is a testament to Jetour’s advanced engineering, which is underscored by its intelligent Dual Motor. Its sophisticated hybrid powertrain combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, which generates 140hp and 215 N-m of torque with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that adds 150kw of power and 310 N-m of torque, all managed by a DHT hybrid-dedicated gearbox. This powerhouse is built on an ultra-safe cage body structure with integrated laser tailoring.
Safety-wise, the Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM features a full array of airbags, ISOFIX anchors, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as corner brake control, traction control, hill assist, and stability control. The suite is further enhanced with lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, front collision warning with active braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a 540-degree panoramic image system.
Driving the vehicle along tight turns and the long highway feels solid. It’s planted as its grip on the road is superb, suspension system is fine as well as it keeps the car stable and the ride smooth; except for a slight bumpy experience while decelerating, as perhaps its electric system subtlety kicks in.
Overall, the media drive experience with the all-new Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM was splendid as it was a combination of superior vehicle dynamics, excellent destination and fun company.
