Previewed: Chery Omoda E5 – 61 kWh LFP Battery, 201 HP, And 430 KM WLTP Range

The all-electric Chery Omada E5 was officially previewed to local press earlier today.

Having announced the arrival of the first batch, and even presenting one to the Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz earlier this week, Chery Malaysia have finally showcased the all-electric Chery Omoda E5 to local press earlier today.

This electric or ‘EV’ twin to the Chery Omoda 5 was showcased to press members at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in right-hand drive (RHD) form. Surprisingly, there are plenty of differences to note from the Chinese home market version that was previewed to us prior.

Essentially, this is the electric version of the Chery Omoda 5 that we're all familiar with.

As a refresher, the Omoda E5 shares the same T1X platform as its traditional combustion-powered (ICE) twin. Like the one we viewed in China, the model previewed to us locally harnesses a BYD-sourced ‘Blade’ LFP-type battery with a claimed 61 kWh capacity.

But unlike the Chinese model mentioned, said battery juices a front-mounted electric motor that drives the front wheels with 201 HP instead of 221 HP. Torque remains the same at 340 NM, thus enabling a claimed 0-100 KM/H sprint in 7.6 seconds.

The charge port is accessible via the front end of the car. Both AC and DC inputs are accepted, the latter up to 80 kW and sees 30-80% re-charges take about 30 minutes.

The maximum WLTP range figure of 430 KM touted for this model is slightly lower than the Chinese market version’s claims of 450 KM, but do note the latter is based on CLTC standards instead. As for charging, AC input up to 9.9 kW, and rapid DC charges up to 80 kW are accepted, the latter allowing 30-80% in just 30 minutes too. V2L ability is present, allowing external discharges up to 3.3 kW.

Visually, this EV version’s exterior resembles its ICE twin closely, albeit with some EV-specific tweaks like the cleaner and closed-off front grille that doubles up to house the charging port access panel, as well as the 18-inch wheels with more aerodynamic ‘enclosed spokes’. Apart from which, and absence of a tailpipe, little has changed here.

The revised and ow shuttered front grille design and aerodynamic 18-inch wheels aside, little else has changed visually with the Omoda E5's exterior.

On board, the RHD version of the Omoda E5 shown to us today boasts an updated and larger version of its signature digital dual-display setup – 12.3-inch now as opposed to 10.25-inch units seen in the current Omoda 5. Apart from which, the absence of a traditional gear shift lever in the centre stack below the dash is a tell-tale sign of this model’s electrified status.

Little else has changed apart from what we've noted, meaning we still get plenty of the same amenities seen in the ICE version like faux leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, automatic air-cond with rear vents, an array of USB charge ports both up front and in the rear, wireless charging pad, as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in the infotainment.

The digital dual-display setup has been updated with larger 13.2-inch screens as opposed to 10.25-inch units we see in the current Omoda 5.

Absent gear selector aside, the cabin remains largely similar to the combustion-powered variant too.

Unchanged too is the promise of Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving abilities enabled by active driver assist (ADAS) features primed – Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane-Departure Waning (LDW) and -Keeping Assist (LKA), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), and more.

While all this sounds promising to you, it may take a while more before you can actually test-drive or book on at your nearest Chery dealership. According to Chery Malaysia, plans are underway to officially launch the model within the first quarter (Q1) of next year (2024).

Prices also remain undisclosed for now, but we can likely expect the Chery Omoda E5 to be competitively priced against traditional European contemporaries here. In the meantime, what would be a fair price figure for the Omoda 5E when it launches next year? Hit the comments below with you take…