GIIAS 2023: Chery Omoda 5 EV now right-hand drive, open for order in Indonesia - Malaysia next year
Chery is aggressive not only in Malaysia, but also in Indonesia. In fact, the Wuhu-based automaker brought the brand back to the Indonesian market before relaunching it in Malaysia, and it also has an assembly plant in the republic.
At the Jaicendo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2023, Chery revealed two recently launched SUVs in Malaysia - the Omoda 5 and the Tiggo 8 Pro, although the latter is the older version that we got our hands on. ICE BSD's flagship vehicle is the Omoda 5 EV, and Chery Indonesia has announced that the electric SUV is open for order.
It's the same car we showed you at Auto Shanghai 2023 in April where the Omoda 5 EV debuted, right down to the light blue wood interior that I love. However, there is one key difference: while the Shanghai offering is a left-hand drive model, the GIIAS is right-hand drive, meaning the left-to-right conversion is completed before going on sale in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Otherwise, only the front cover is different. The Chery name is now read instead of Omoda because the Omoda sub-brand is in China and the main Chery brand has started to re-establish itself in ASEAN. The rear is also covered in a metal bowl in the style of a regular car, featuring the Chery taillights, Omoda 5 and the all-important EV badge.
We know that the Omoda 5 EV will arrive in Malaysia as a CBU import from China, taking advantage of the existing tax-free incentives for electric vehicles imported into our country. This is different from the local assembly path of the Omoda 5 CKD internal combustion engine.
The Omoda 5 EV has a 61kWh battery that is supported by a 221 horsepower (165 kW) motor. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.8 seconds, and Chery claims an energy efficiency of 15 kWh per 100 km. As for fast DC charging, Cherry says it takes 35 minutes to go from 0 to 80% SOC. Claimed range is 450 kilometers on a full charge, but note that Chinese automakers typically use the domestic CLTC, which usually gives figures higher than NEDC, not to mention the more realistic WLTP.
Compared to the ICE Omoda 5, the electric car has a completely different face. Gone are the fancy love-it-or-hate-it grilles, and there's a cleaner, more traditional nose that closes because there's no need for a cooler. There is no logo, as there is no Chery lettering on the front above the cargo wing. There are also two-tone aerodynamic discs.
Inside, both the GIIAS and Shanghai have a very interesting color scheme, with blue as the main color, yellow stitching and light wood, which is very refreshing in contrast. The Omoda logo is painted on the steering wheel, while the built-in screen and phone jacks built into the modern dashboard remain. The internal combustion engine gearshift lever is removed.
The Omoda 5 EV will arrive in Malaysia next year. What do you think of the electric version's cleaner front end than the ICE's iconic looks and specs?
Exhibition: Chery Omoda 5 EV at GIIAS 2023
Demonstration: Chery Omoda 5 EV at Auto Shanghai 2023
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