Jetour T2 facelift SUV with Land Rover Defender look launched in China

Chery's Jetour T2 facelift SUV has been officially launched in China, and its bold, muscular look is being compared to the Land Rover Defender. The India-bound JSW Combat SUV, which has generated plenty of buzz, will be based on this same Jetour T2, so interest in the car has picked up in the Indian market too.

Comparing the old model with the new facelift, the design changes are clear. The front earlier had square headlights, which have now been replaced with circular headlights. The large "JETOUR" badge that used to sit on the grille has been shifted to the bonnet, and an LED strip now runs across the entire grille connecting both headlights. The bumper is no longer as rugged as before, with a seamless, body-coloured bumper now fitted. The side profile gets body-coloured wheel arches. At the rear, four-point taillights with 3D styling, a new rear spoiler and smooth D-pillar trim give the car a premium look.

The cabin has also seen a major overhaul. The interior design is now clean and modern. The dashboard has dual vertical AC vents on both sides, while the centre console has a dual smartphone holder with Qi wireless charging support. It comes with a large 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Comfort features include a 10-way power adjustable seat and an 8-point massage function, along with a 23-speaker surround sound system.

On engines and performance, the Jetour T2 facelift has been launched in both petrol (ICE) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The base petrol engine is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol producing 184 PS of power and 290 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. There is also a more powerful 2.0-litre petrol version generating 254 PS and 390 Nm of torque, which also gets an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The PHEV hybrid version pairs the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with a powerful battery pack that offers a pure electric driving range of about 108 km to 173 km on a single charge.

In the Chinese market, the petrol model is priced at 149,900 yuan, which works out to about Rs 21.4 lakh in Indian currency, while the hybrid model is priced upward of Rs 22.85 lakh. In India, the JSW Combat SUV based on this same Jetour T2 is expected to be priced between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. The arrival of this car could set up strong competition in the Indian SUV market.