Bangkok 2025: Omoda C7 PHEV makes ASEAN debut with 360 PS; coming to Malaysia under Jaecoo?

The Omoda & Jaecoo onslaught continues in Thailand with the debut of the Omoda C7 (née Omoda 7) at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS), about a year after it was revealed in China. As the name suggests, the C-segment crossover slots in between the Chery Omoda 5 and the Omoda C9, with all three being strict five-seaters.

No details have been released so far, as the car has yet to be launched in the Land of Smiles. It is, however, being shown in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) form as the Omoda C7 SHS, with the suffix referring to the car’s Super Hybrid System.

This is shared with the Jaecoo J7 PHEV and consists of a hybrid-specific 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine – here slightly uprated at 156 PS and 220 Nm of torque – as well as a 204 PS/310 Nm electric motor and a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). Total system output is rated at 360 PS and 530 Nm, which is 13 PS and 5 Nm more than the J7 PHEV.

Despite the extra power, the Omoda C7 PHEV gets from zero to 100 km/h in exactly the same time as the J7 PHEV at 8.5 seconds. The BYD-sourced 18.3 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is identical to its sibling’s and delivers 95 km of all-electric range, according to initial specs posted last year. Those specs also include a total range of 1,250 km.

The Omoda C7 is the first model designed specifically for O&J for international markets only – the duo had previously lifted their cars from domestic-market Chery, Exeed and iCar brands. As such, it sports its own confident, minimalist design, despite drawing certain cues from previous Omoda models.

This includes the sharp shark-nose front end that integrates the shutline of the clamshell bonnet. The resulting concave contour, sharp headlights and body-coloured parametric grille bring to mind the current Lexus RX, while a ghostly hexagonal pattern radiates towards the outer corners of the bumper, illuminating to form a unique lighting signature. Underneath, the toothy full-width air intake houses chrome-trimmed fog lights – these were not present on the reveal car in China.

Along the side, the aforementioned bonnet leads into the clean flanks, adorned only by the flush pull-up door handles and pronounced rear haunches. The undulating window line and blacked-out D-pillars have both been carried over from the Omoda 5 and C9, while the rear end is dominated by full-width taillights with a unique zig-zag lighting signature. A set of massive 20-inch turbine-style alloy wheels complete the look.

The display unit at BIMS was locked, but our photographer Sherman Sim did manage to shoot through the windows to give us a somewhat clear look at the interior. Here, you can see the minimalist horizontal dashboard, tall centre console, pair of freestanding screens and oblong steering wheel – the latter apparently inspired by the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller.

Other gaming-inspired features include front seats designed to look like gaming chairs (which ironically were made to imitate racing buckets in the first place), part-upholstered in nubuck leather. Of course, this being a Chinese car, the cabin is dominated by a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that can apparently be slid all the way over to the passenger side. You also get “12+2” Sony speakers – presumably the “+2” refers to headrest speakers – and active noise cancellation.

The Omoda C7 should arrive next year after the upcoming Jaecoo J8 and J6, the former having already been teased by Jaecoo Malaysia. With other markets adopting the Omoda & Jaecoo branding strategy, we could see the C7 being the first Omoda model to be sold under its own marque, rather than carrying the slightly awkward “by Jaecoo” moniker. Excited?

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