Omoda has just launched an electric version of its C5 crossover, and it could be heading to South Africa.
The Chinese firm announced that the electric vehicle (EV) has already been shipped to its first left-hand-drive markets around the world and that it will potentially also be introduced in right-hand-drive countries.
“The [C5 EV] is under study for South Africa and other right-hand drive countries like Australia, and we look forward to testing the model on local soil,” said Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of Omoda South Africa.
What to expect
The Omoda C5 was launched in South Africa in April this year with three models on offer – all powered by the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.
The line-up was then expanded in May with the addition of two new mid-range entries, meaning there are currently five Omodas on sale in the country with prices starting at R447,900.
The crossover was designed from the ground up with electrification in mind, meaning the battery-powered C5 has the same underlying architecture as its fossil-fuel counterparts.
While the company has yet to reveal any specific details regarding the EV’s specifications, we can look at other markets where it is launching to get a sense of what to expect if and when the new car arrives on local shores.
In the Americas, the electric C5 is driven by a single front-mounted electric motor generating 150kW and 340Nm – noticeably higher than the petrol engine’s 115kW and 230Nm.
The battery situation is less clear, as it appears that the crossover will be made available with at least two different power sources with varying maximum ranges.
The larger battery is expected to be around 64kWh, which should take about 40 minutes to charge using a high-speed port and provide a range of approximately 450km.
In contrast, the smaller power bank should have a range of roughly 300km, though its exact size and charging details are still unknown.
Apart from the underlying powertrain, the EV will be near-identical to the existing line-up with the only major change being its reworked front end.
While the petrol C5 sports a distinctive “diamond-star” grille, the electric model will receive a sleek aerodynamic forward profile with no openings for a radiator.
Equipment-wise, the new Omoda is likely to share the current C5’s fittings, meaning buyers can expect things like automatic LED headlights, leather seats with heating and ventilation, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, 360-degree cameras, a wireless charger, ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, and two 10.25-inch screens for the driver display and infotainment.
The electric Omoda is slated for testing on local soil in the coming months and the brand has also expressed a desire to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions based on the C5 platform in the future, though there is no word on the South African availability of these yet.
Keyword: Electric Omoda C5 under study for South Africa