With Super Hybrid System (SHS) the keyword from Omoda | Jaecoo’s May launch event in Santiago, Chile, the question now is: Does it work in Jamaica?

SHS-P is available on the Jaecoo J7 PHEV and promises the potential of over 1,000 kilometres of total combined range, catapulting the J7 into the shortlist of SUVs claiming the new status of super hybrid.

SHS-P gives the J7 a range of 90 kilometres of electric-only range, and DC fast charging up to 40kWh. (Photo: Rory Daley)

The breakdown is simple. The J7 is equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder featuring a host of technologies to help it squeeze every kilometre it can out of a litre of fuel.

As a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), the internal combustion engine is paired with a dedicated hybrid transmission with its integrated electric motor. Both send their power to the front wheels only, together or separately, allowing the J7 to draw from its 18.3kWh battery to run on electric-only power for up to 90 kilometres, as long as the charge percentage is over 30. The battery can be recharged while driving or externally. The self-charging strategy can be set to operate automatically or manually. In auto mode, it uses a combination of braking, coasting, and the engine to return energy to the battery. In manual mode, the engine will directly recharge the battery up to 80 per cent. AC charging is 7kWh, with DC fast charging up to 40kWh using the CCS2 port. This means the J7 can hit 100 per cent within an hour for under $2,000.

With all the technical data out of the way, there was only one test in question. At a claimed 1,200 kilometres of range, the J7 could theoretically be capable of driving around Jamaica twice on one tank of fuel. Using Google to circumnavigate the island’s highways, the given loop from Kingston is 640 kilometres. This time, Auto threw in a few challenges — no toll roads and some extra sightseeing stops.

The J7, in PHEV trim, has no start button. Approaching with the keys unlocks the vehicle and it is on by the time the driver hits their seat. The stalk-mounted gear shift takes a bit of getting used to, but once on its way the J7 pulls away quietly and smoothly on electric power. There’s no sense of the transition between the power sources.

On a single tank of fuel and a full battery charge, there’s no location in Jamaica not within the driving range of the J7 PHEV. (Photo: Rory Daley)

Its interior is comfortable for long journeys and bears more than enough convenience features to emphasise that comfort. A few clicks on the 14.8-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen and the driver assist tech can take over for short stints to ease fatigue. In the late hours, the panoramic roof and ambient lighting aid in further lowering any stress.

The J7’s suspension is able to handle whatever the crumbling Jamaican road network can throw at it with confidence-inspiring compliance. The sense of composure extends to the curves as the vehicle offers a genuine sense of grip.

When you do have to stop and charge the J7, its exterior, like many modern SUVs, is rather conservative, and one can see where it draws styling cues from Euro-rivals. Otherwise, the Jaecoo is your standard big grille, boxy SUV. The interior shares a similar theme, nothing out of the ordinary, plenty of premium features, and good build quality and material choices.

However, you’re not here for that. Does SHS-P work? Let’s just say, on a single tank of fuel and a battery charged to 100 per cent, the J7 not only circumnavigated Jamaica but had enough left in the tank to continue its trip on to Montego Bay, still avoiding the toll routes. And, on its return trip, it stopped in Ocho Rios for a top-up to make it back to Kingston. Even if you can’t do the mileage maths, SHS hit the target.

The inside of the J7 is comfortable, well-built, and feature rich.(Photo: Rory Daley)

The Jaecoo J7 PHEV utilises Super Hybrid System technology, pairing a 1.5-litre internal combustion engine with an electric motor that can be externally DC fast-charged. Total range is a claimed 1,200 kilometres. (Photo: Rory Daley)