Jetour T1 and T2 gain Australian Design Rule certification ahead of early-2027 launch

Certification locked in ahead of launch

Jetour's first Australian models, the T1 and T2 mid-size SUVs, have received Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification ahead of expected releases in early 2027, according to CarExpert. The certification follows the Chinese brand's local launch, which is slated for late November. Jetour, part of the wider Chery Group, is expected to launch in Australia with the T1 and T2, and will be managed by a local team separate from other Chery Group brands here. ¹

The two models are closely related, sharing car-like unibody underpinnings, but the T2 has a boxier shape reminiscent of the Land Rover Defender while the T1 has a sleeker rear-end, CarExpert reports. CarExpert notes that automakers sometimes seek ADR certification for powertrains or variants that do not end up becoming available, so the filings are not a substitute for final retail specifications. ¹

Powertrains listed in the approval filings

CarExpert's report on the filings lists a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, plus a turbo-petrol 1.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) available with front- or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive PHEV variant is listed at 180kW with 1900kg of braked towing capacity, though no drive type is listed in the filing and CarExpert understands this variant features all-wheel drive. ¹

The front-wheel drive PHEV pairing is listed as mating a 105kW engine with a 150kW front electric motor for "maximum possible power" of 255kW, while the all-wheel drive option adds a 175kW rear electric motor to reach 430kW, per the filings reported by CarExpert. Braked towing for the PHEVs is listed at 1600kg, with a tare mass of between 1957kg and 2143kg and a gross vehicle mass of between 2372kg and 2558kg. With the petrol-only powertrain, braked towing is higher at 1900kg, tare mass drops to 1816kg and GVM to 2231kg. ¹

The boxier T2, also listed under the alternative Jetour 20 nameplate, is listed with a single PHEV variant combining the 105kW 1.5-litre turbo engine with three electric motors — 90kW and 75kW front units and a 175kW rear motor — for maximum possible power of 445kW. Braked towing is listed at 1600kg, with a 2375kg tare mass and 2795kg GVM. The T1 is also listed with an alternative Jetour 10 designation and a wider range of approved powertrains. ¹

While specific off-road hardware is not listed in the filings, Jetour touts the T2 PHEV as offering differential locks and a range of off-road modes, CarExpert reports. ¹

Dimensions, testing and overseas context

Both vehicles are comfortably mid-sized. The T1 measures 4700–4705mm long, 1967mm wide and 1840mm tall on a 2800mm wheelbase, and the T2 measures 4827mm long, 2006mm wide and 1870mm tall on the same 2800mm wheelbase, per the approval filings reported by CarExpert. An extended-length version of the T2 is also offered in China. CarExpert's earlier spy story, based on registration records, quoted a slightly shorter 4785mm length for the T2, so final production dimensions remain to be confirmed at launch. ¹³

The T1 and T2 were spied testing in Australia earlier in October in right-hand drive guise, CarExpert reported, with reader images showing the camouflaged pair at Bondi Beach. A search of the T1's plate revealed it as a T1L with an 1840kg tare weight, while the T2's registration record listed it as a 'Chery S2x Series' with a 1500kg tare weight — figures that differ from the certification filing masses, underlining that these are not final retail specifications. ³¹

The pair are already on sale in another right-hand drive market, South Africa, where CarExpert reports they are offered with a 125kW/270Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with front-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, alongside a 180kW/375Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with all-wheel drive. South African T1 and T2 i-DM plug-in hybrids use an 18.4kWh battery, with system outputs of 250kW/530Nm (T1) and 265kW/610Nm (T2), NEDC electric range of 100km and 90km respectively, and combined range up to 1200km. Equipment there includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.8- or 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats. ³

Brand setup and a wider pipeline

Although Jetour is part of Chery Group, it is being treated as a completely different entity in Australia. CarExpert reports it will be distributed separately and have different back-office operations to other group brands, including Chery and Omoda Jaecoo plus the upcoming Lepas, iCaur and Freelander marques. The brand has confirmed the T1 and T2 will be followed by the body-on-frame F700 dual-cab ute and G700 off-road SUV, though those are not expected until the second half of 2027 at the earliest. ¹³

Jetour International president Ke Chuandeng told media in China that the brand sees Australia as "one of our dream markets", with products "very suitable" for the country, news.com.au reported. He said the company already has a subsidiary and local team in Australia, is finalising its dealer network, and is co-operating with "many top-level dealer groups". The company said it will introduce more than 10 models including plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants. ⁵

Trademark filings with IP Australia between July 27 and August 4, 2026, also cover the S06, TX, T8, T600 and T700 names, CarExpert reported. The S06 is better known as the Dashing, the TX corresponds to an electric SUV seen in Chinese government filings under the Huanyouzhe nameplate, and the T8 is a large seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV that Jetour has claimed will offer more than 300km of pure electric range. Tarantas News reported the same trademark filings, citing local media, and noted that a trademark application does not confirm any of these models for Australia. ⁴²

Overseas reporting has also detailed the follow-up models. Thai outlet 9carthai reports the G700 uses a ladder frame with a 2.0-litre turbo engine and front and rear electric motors for a claimed 665kW combined, while news.com.au's correspondent, who sampled the T2 and G700 in China, described the G700's 34.1kWh battery, claimed 4.6-second 0–100km/h time and simulated diff locking. Jetour has also said the F700 will be positioned as a luxury pick-up, with Ke Chuandeng telling news.com.au it will not directly compete with the cheaper BYD Shark. ⁶⁵

A crowded field for the new arrivals

The T1 and T2 will enter one of the most competitive segments in Australia, where they will face various Chery Group models as well, including the Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 and the Jaecoo J7, CarExpert reports. For scale, the top-selling Toyota RAV4 measures 4600–4645mm long on a 2690mm wheelbase, smaller than both Jetour newcomers. ³

Jetour's arrival is part of a broader Chery Group push. CarExpert notes Chery this week confirmed the premium Exlantix marque for a 2027 launch, with iCaur and Freelander also due next year and Lepas launching this year — meaning that by the end of 2027, Chery expects to have seven brands on the Australian market. ¹