Imagine driving a derivative of the 2026 South African Car of the Year, but one that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with a rechargeable electric motor and battery. This is the new Jetour T2 i-DM. And with continually rising fuel costs, a car that significantly reduces fuel consumption is a real win.
What often surprises first-time drivers of this model is that this 1.5L turbocharged plug-in hybrid can match, and in some cases outperform, a larger 2.0L combustion engine. This is thanks to the instant torque from the electric motor and the combined system output, resulting in strong low-speed acceleration and response. The T2 i-DM delivers a combined output of 265kW and 610Nm of torque.
The T2 i-DM’s advanced intelligent plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system, featuring a dual electric motor setup and a 3DHT hybrid transmission, underpins this balance of performance and efficiency.
The hybrid engine delivers a thermal efficiency of 44.5%. In simple terms, thermal efficiency describes how effectively an engine converts fuel into usable driving power. In the Jetour T2 i-DM, a 44.5% efficiency rating means that nearly half of the fuel’s energy is translated into motion, while the rest is lost through heat and friction.
This newest SUV offering from Jetour achieves a top speed of 200km/h, with a combined fuel consumption of just 1.3L/100km and CO₂ emissions of 30g/km, compared to a typical petrol SUV which might emits between 150g/km to over 250g/km. In electric-only mode, it delivers a pure electric driving range of up to 90km, capable of operating in EV mode for up to 90% of typical daily driving conditions. When combining both electric and petrol sources, this PHEV extends its total driving range to 1 200km.
Equipped with an 18.4kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack, DC fast charging enables the battery to charge from 30% to 80% in approximately 27 minutes, while AC charging from 30% to 100% takes approximately 3 hours.
Similar in design to the Jetour T2, this i-DM sibling also has a bold, rugged design and signature boxy silhouette. Key styling elements include a panoramic glass sunroof, roof rails and towbar as standard, with 190mm ground clearance for improved capability on varied terrain, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a full-size spare wheel for added peace of mind.
Measuring 4 785mm in length, 2 006mm in width and 1 875mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2 800mm, the T2 i-DM also offers a luggage capacity of 580 litres, expanding to a maximum of 1 494 litres with the rear seats folded. Additional capability is supported by a 70-litre fuel tank for extended range, as well as a braked towing capacity of up to 1 600kg.
Key safety and driver assistance features include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Active Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), among many others.
As with all Jetour models, the interior is designed with premium comfort and advanced technology in mind, featuring a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium 12-speaker Sony sound system with subwoofer, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and multi-colour ambient lighting, along with many other high-end convenience and luxury features.
The vehicle is packed with smart technology features including voice control functionality, remote engine start, keyless entry with push-button start, wireless smartphone connectivity, a DVR recorder and rain-sensing wipers.
Jetour prides itself on a comprehensive warranty package, with even greater coverage for its PHEV models, offering a 7-year / 200,000km vehicle warranty, a 10-year / 1,000,000km engine warranty, an 8-year / 160,000km battery warranty, and a 7-year / 75,000km service plan, providing long-term peace of mind and ownership confidence.
The Jetour T2 i-DM really does offer the best of both worlds: the low running costs and smooth driving experience of an electric vehicle, while retaining the convenience and long-distance capability of a conventional petrol-powered car.
