JAC Cars PH to launch JS6 PHEV?

It's been nearly a year since JAC Cars Philippines distributor Astara launched the JS6. Serving as its flagship crossover, the JS6 comes with a 1.5L turbocharged engine that makes 182 PS with 300 Nm of torque, is equipped with intelligent driver aids via its ADAS, as well as other amenities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, dual-zone climate control, a power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof.

With a price tag of PHP 1.380 million, the JS6 is selling for less than similarly priced compact crossovers from other Japanese brands. But with electrification continuing to become more popular, an electrified version of the JS6 could be viable for JAC Cars Philippines. Fortunately, the automaker appears to be planning just that.

Recently, the LTO homologated a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the JS6 for the Philippine market. It will be called the JAC JS6 PHEV and, based on the LTO's listing, the plug-in hybrid crossover will have a 1498cc engine that will be aided by an electric motor that puts out 150 kW or 204 PS. It also has a lithium-ion battery, which gives the JS6 PHEV an EV range of up to 120 km. Moreover, the JS6 PHEV's battery can be recharged from empty to full in 7 hours via AC charging.

Size-wise, the JS6 PHEV measures 4605mm long, 1700mm wide, and 1890mm on a 2720mm wheelbase. It will also have 160mm of ground clearance and will have 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/50 series tires. Compared to the regular JS6, the JS6 PHEV shares the same exterior dimensions but gets bigger alloy wheels since the standard JS6 only comes with 235/55 series tires with 18-inch alloys.

A quick check on what the PRC gets and the JS6 PHEV is actually called the JAC QX PHEV. The PHEV version gets the same exterior and interior design as the regular JS6 but gets a 1.5L naturally-aspirated inline-four that makes 110 PS and 135 Nm of torque. It is then assisted by an electric motor that puts out 150 kW or 204 PS along with 300 Nm of pull.

This setup gives the JS6 PHEV an EV range of up to 120 km based on the CLTC cycle and the ability to go from 0 – 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. More importantly, JAC claims the JS6 PHEV can cover up to 1,300 km combined.

With JAC Cars Philippines looking to offer more electrified vehicles, the JS6 PHEV could attract customers who want an affordable compact crossover that's exempt from number coding and easy on the gas bills. We're keeping our fingers crossed that JAC reveals more details about it soon.