Jetour T2: The Ultimate Off-Road SUV for Adventure Seekers

Introduction

The UAE has had an unwavering penchant for burly and rugged SUVs. Even in a global scenario where most economies have diverted towards compact crossovers and utility vehicles, these extremely pragmatic and confidence-inspiring machines on the road continue to build a respectable case for themselves. Recently, we have seen an influx of 4-Wheel Drive vehicles that are trendy too for the new eon such as the Suzuki Jimny 5-door, BAIC BJ40 and the Haval Dargo. To make its presence felt in this segment, Jetour, distributed by The Elite Cars, has unveiled the T2, an SUV that aims to be the jack of all trades by becoming a stalwart at off-roading while cocooning the occupants with luxury, tech, and comfort. At the launch event, its standout feature, the XWD off-road concept, was shed light upon.

Jetour's New "Travel+" Strategy

The T2 marks the Chinese brand’s foray into this unique off-roading vehicle space by adopting a new “Travel+” strategy which aims to coalesce tourism with automotive engineering so the brand can contemplate the vivid requirements of travelers and ways to fulfill those. It’s only conspicuous then that it’s christened ‘Traveller’ in its home market.

Exterior Design

On the face of it, the car bears significant resemblance to a Land Rover Defender. Traits like the boxy silhouette, squared headlights, beefy bumper cladding, and a seemingly high shoulder line all nod to that. The exterior also features cool green materials for the bumper, wheel rims, and roof rails to appeal to young buyers. Bearing the dimensions of 4785mm X 2006mm X 1880mm (L x W x H), it is clearly a large SUV, and a glance at its side profile reveals that. One look at the rear uncovers its inspiration from the more expensive Land Rover Defender, featuring a darkened area for the tail lights, a humongous boot-mounted spare tire, and exposed hinges to pay homage to the utilitarian vehicles of the past that trundled off the beaten path.

Interior Features

The Jetour T2 comes equipped with a modern and tech-friendly cabin designed to create a cosseting experience for travelers. For starters, a 15.6” High Resolution screen dominates the center console, supporting AC, dual-zone climate control, menus for smartphone-compatible apps, and off-road settings for rugged terrains. It also features a 12-channel Sony speaker system for harmonious sound throughout the vehicle.

Comfort and Convenience

The car will come loaded with features such as:

• Ventilated seats for extra cooling during sweltering hot summers
• Ambient lighting to enhance the mood
• Magic Electric Door that assists in opening and closing the tailgate
• Panoramic sunroof with roof rails designed to carry camping gear
• A 540° camera to aid self-parking
• Level-2 autonomous driving capabilities including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking
• Comfortable headrests with cushioned support and extra padding on seats

Off-Road Capabilities

The Jetour T2 aims at serious off-the-beaten-path thrills with an approach angle of 28° and a departure angle of 30°. Its standout feature is the BorgWarner 6th generation XWD technology which intelligently monitors tarmac conditions and adjusts the torque delivery in milliseconds for optimal power delivery. The center screen relays images of the surface under the car for better maneuvering, complementing the car’s body structure with a water-wading capacity of 700mm.

Engine and Performance

Heavy vehicles require more power. Hence, the Jetour T2 is equipped with a 2.0-litre Turbo GDI engine that produces 252 hp and 390 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. For a more engaging driving experience, drivers can toggle between various modes including:

1. Sport
2. Normal
3. Economy
4. Snow
5. Mud
6. Rock

Additionally, the vehicle features a crawling mode to gingerly traverse over trail imperfections without losing traction.

Future Prospects

Jetour aims to launch 10 new vehicles by 2026 under its “off-road travel” and “family travel” divisions. With sales milestones of over 10,000 units in each of the previous two months, the Jetour T2, loaded with features, is likely to make a significant mark in the UAE. To leverage the car’s potential, it comes with a 10-year or 1-million Km warranty and a 3-year or 40,000 Km service package.