Launched in Malaysia only in July, the Jaecoo J8 is already a recipient of a significant facelift in China, where it’s known as the Chery Tiggo 9. Not to be confused with the Tiggo 9 that we’ll be getting (that one is badged as the Tiggo 9X in the Middle Kingdom), the updated three-row SUV was launched at the recent Auto China show in Beijing with an all-new interior and huge screens.
As previously revealed, the J8 is set to get a new front fascia with a more upright rectangular grille, the latter featuring more ornate vertical slats. This is flanked by larger headlights with dual-L daytime running lights, as well as being framed by a black surround that reaches outwards towards the bumper corners, similar to the Tiggo Cross. Chrome accents help give the car a more upscale air.
Moving to the rear, you’ll find thicker full-width taillights that push the number plate recess into the bumper, with the large Chery script (Jaecoo for exports) taking its place. Finishing off the look are larger (and still fake) trapezoidal exhaust tips and a new multi-spoke design for the 20-inch alloy wheels.
It’s on the inside where the J8 has taken a decisive step up. Gone is the Mercedes-Benz-aping dashboard, replaced by a minimalist design that takes after many a Chinese SUV, with slimmer and sleeker air vents and a tall centre console continuing to house twin phone holders (one of which is still a Qi wireless charger) and open (previously lidded) twin cupholders.
The big news is that the freestanding widescreen display panel and its twin 12.3-inch screens have been ditched. The 10.25-inch instrument display is slightly smaller, but the infotainment touchscreen is now a massive 30-inch, 6K piece that extends to the passenger side without any dividers, allowing the other front occupant to watch videos and the like. This is similar to what is found on the Mazda CX-6e.
We should point out that while the 30-inch display is standard in China, we did spot a prototype in Wuhu at the Chery International Business Summit (IBS) – it was still badged as a Chery as visible under the camouflage, but it wore a smaller central screen, presumably for global markets (sorry, folks). In any case, the whole shebang runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 chip.
Chinese-market 30-inch display (left) versus likely international version
Also upgraded is the sound system from the piffling 12 speakers on the previous Sony setup – you now get a whopping 23 speakers with “Boya Melody” branding (no, not the Chinese company making budget microphones). This includes a “star-scattering device” orb sitting atop the dashboard.
Elsewhere, the seats have been upgraded with a 13-layer construction, coming with heating, ventilation, massage and a passenger-side one-touch recline. Speaking of the pews, the Chinese-market car gets a choice of either five or seven seats, whereas the current Jaecoo version has the option of a six-seater cabin with second-row individual captain’s chairs.
In terms of driver assists, the Chinese-market Tiggo 9 comes with Chery’s Falcon 500 entry-level suite, which does not come with lidar sensors but still offers highly-automated city and highway driving. Unfortunately, the global J8 will almost certainly ditch these features for Level 2 semi-autonomous functionality instead. Five-seater models come with eight airbags (including a front centre airbag), with the seven-seater gaining rear side airbags for a total of ten airbags.
Chinese buyers get just a single engine choice – a 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder petrol mill making 261 PS at 5,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. Those figures are up 12 PS and 15 Nm up over the pre-facelifted J8, but strangely, the base models are fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, whereas higher-end variants gain the eight-speed auto gearbox that’s standard elsewhere in the world. Adaptive dampers now come standard, with all-wheel drive still offered as an option.
We should point out that the J8 is available in AWD plug-in hybrid form using the newly-renamed Super Hybrid System – Plug-in hybrid (SHS-P) powertrain. This uses a 1.5 litre turbo four-pot, dual electric motors and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) for a total output of 537 PS and 650 Nm of torque. This is set to be launched in certain global markets very soon, but oddly with the current model’s design.
Prices for the Tiggo 9 in China range from 159,900 yuan (RM92,600) to 179,900 yuan (RM104,200), although the Jaecoo version will definitely cost more than that when it comes here due to taxes. Are you excited for the new J8? Let us know in the comments.
GALLERY: Jaecoo J8 facelift prototype
