Chery has pushed the boundaries of electric off-road technology with the unveiling of the Jetour G700, a plug-in hybrid SUV capable of floating across rivers and functioning like a boat in emergency situations.

The development highlights the increasingly aggressive innovation coming out of China’s rapidly expanding new-energy vehicle market, where automakers are racing to introduce futuristic features that set their models apart from global competitors.

Ad >>>

The latest breakthrough comes just three years after BYD drew global attention with the launch of the YangWang U8, an electrified luxury SUV designed to float on water for up to 30 minutes during emergencies. Chery has now taken the concept further by equipping the Jetour G700 Ark Edition with integrated propellers that allow the vehicle to navigate water like a small boat.

According to the company, the floating and water-crossing capability is intended primarily for emergency situations such as flash floods and severe flooding, though the feature has also become a major marketing attraction for the SUV.

Chery recently demonstrated the vehicle’s capabilities during a high-profile showcase in which the G700 successfully crossed the Minjiang River in approximately 10 minutes without taking on water. The company said the SUV relies on an advanced gyroscopic stability system that helps maintain balance and stability while operating on water.

Visually, the Jetour G700 bears similarities to the Lexus GX in size and design, but its engineering package reflects the increasingly advanced technology emerging from China’s NEV sector.

The SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined output of 892 horsepower and 837 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle also comes equipped with three locking differentials to improve off-road capability across difficult terrain.

Powering the electrified system is a 34.1-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery supplied by CATL. The battery provides an estimated all-electric driving range of up to 100 kilometres under the WLTC testing standard, while the combined fuel and electric range is said to reach approximately 1,000 kilometres on a full tank and full charge.

The Jetour G700 also supports ultra-fast charging through an 800-volt electrical architecture. Chery said the battery can accept charging speeds of up to 170 kilowatts, allowing the vehicle to recharge from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in roughly 10 minutes.

The launch underscores China’s growing dominance in electrified vehicle innovation, particularly in the SUV and off-road segment, where manufacturers are increasingly combining high-performance hybrid systems with unconventional features designed to capture global attention.