Tag Archives: awd

NEWS, TEST DRIVE

Jaecoo J8 promises “first-class” off-road experience – is it true?

More than a year after its first unveiling, Omoda | Jaecoo Malaysia has officially launched their second SUV model, the Jaecoo J8, last month.

Retaining the off-road theme, the Jaecoo J8 presents a more elegant and luxurious image compared to its sibling, the J7.

During the launch, the J8 was described as a rugged vehicle providing a first-class passenger experience.

To demonstrate the true capability of this SUV in more challenging terrain, Omoda | Jaecoo Malaysia hosted an off-road driving experience session at Sepang Bay 13.

Several obstacles were set up, starting with the Rock Crawl section, a 30-degree Side Slope, a Log Run simulating a path over logs, and a Water Wading section.

The rainy weather in the early morning provided a more challenging surface compared to the previous day.

Despite being equipped with standard Michelin e-Premacy tires, the Jaecoo J8 had no trouble navigating the previously mentioned challenges.

So, what is the secret that prevents the Jaecoo J8 from making drivers sweat?

 

1. Powerful Engine

The 2.0L turbo inline-four engine, capable of delivering 249 PS and 385 Nm of torque, responds quickly without significant delay.

With just consistent throttle control, this SUV successfully tackled all the challenging sections presented.

Most importantly, it was hard to detect any tire slippage, showcasing the efficiency of the systems offered.

 

2. AWD System with Torque Vectoring Control

For this challenge, we had the opportunity to drive the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of the Jaecoo J8, which is also equipped with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control.

According to Jaecoo, this AWD system features a dual-clutch setup that can independently distribute torque, allowing 100% of the engine power to be sent to the rear wheels that have better traction.

 

3. Adaptive CDC Suspension

As standard, the Jaecoo J8 comes with MacPherson strut suspension at the front, assisted by a multi-link setup at the rear.

It also features CDC, which stands for Continuous Damping Control.

This CDC feature adjusts the suspension damping settings in as little as 0.002 seconds, depending on the selected driving mode and current road conditions.

There are three levels: Soft, Medium, and Hard.

What we noticed was that the cabin remained free of significant vibrations and noise from rough road surfaces, particularly while navigating the Rock Crawl section.

It felt like nothing was happening inside the cabin, even though outside, we witnessed the chassis of the Jaecoo J8 swaying and bouncing as it attempted to overcome the large rocky path.

The driver could still maintain calm, confidence, and smooth control while not sacrificing comfort.

 

4. Powerful Weapon for Flash Floods in the Capital

The Jaecoo J8 offers a ground clearance of 170 mm, which is relatively standard compared to other off-road SUVs.

However, with the ability to wade through water up to 450 mm deep, it is a highly beneficial feature for Malaysians occasionally facing flash floods in the capital.

Or perhaps when navigating rural backroads to complete tasks.

Or if you occasionally want to unwind in a camping area that is generally far from major road access, where the road surfaces are not always pleasant.

 

Conclusion

You no longer need to spend RM400k-RM500k to enjoy an exhilarating off-road experience.

With a budget starting from just RM198,800 for the AWD version, you can experience a stylish and comfortable premium urban SUV, while also having the confidence to conquer all kinds of terrains.

TIPS

FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD: What’s the difference?

PURCHASING a car is a big decision. Therefore, one needs to thoroughly consider several factors before signing on the dotted line. In addition to price, size, and type of engine, you may also need to choose the most suitable type of drivetrain for your needs.

In essence, there are four types of drivetrains that you should know, namely front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), all-wheel drive (AWD), and four-wheel drive (4WD). What are the differences between these four types of drivetrains?

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)

This is the most commonly used drivetrain in vehicles, whether hatchbacks, sedans, or SUVs. This is mainly due to the fact that a FWD system is more compact, meaning it is lighter, and this in turn makes the car more fuel-efficient and relatively less expensive to maintain. However, compared to RWD, FWD cars are less engaging on the road as they are more prone to understeer.

Examples: Perodua Myvi, Honda City, and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)

In essence, RWD is the opposite of FWD because in this system, power is routed to the rear wheels through a propeller shaft or propshaft in short. Car enthusiasts generally prefer RWD because it offers a higher level of traction (vehicle weight shifts to the rear when accelerating) and is generally more exciting in corners.

Examples: Ford Mustang, Mazda MX-5, and Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

As the name suggests, AWD means power from the engine is distributed to all four wheels to allow the car to move more easily on wet and slippery road surfaces. Most AWD systems can distribute torque between the front and rear axles according to the driving condition, and some can even switch to two-wheel drive mode (2WD) to save fuel.

Examples: Honda CR-V, Toyota GR Yaris, and Subaru XV

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

Compared to AWD, a 4WD system is more suitable for off-road driving. Most, if not all, 4WD vehicles have a transfer case with 2H, 4H, and 4L modes. 2H is a two-wheel drive mode with high gearing for normal driving conditions, 4H is a four-wheel drive mode with high gearing for increased traction on loose surfaces, while 4L is a four-wheel drive mode with low gearing that allows the vehicle to ‘crawl’ at low speeds to navigate extreme terrains.

Examples: Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler, and Suzuki Jimny