Turning up the wick
Omoda South Africa is seeking to build on the initial success of its C5 with a highly customisable, more powerful GT derivative
Price: R589 900 Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Power: 145 kw @ 5 500 r/min Torque: 290 N.m @ 1 750 r/min 0–100 km/h: 7,8 seconds Top speed: N/A Fuel consumption: 8,2 L/100 km CO2 emissions: 162 g/km Rivals: Ford Puma, Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen T-cross, Beijing X55, Haval H6 GT
As evidenced by both monthly sales and braaiside banter, the current batch of Chinese car brands, especially Chery and Haval, have been showing little sign of slowing down the tailoring of their respective models to suit markets outside of their own. In the case of Chery – along with its
Omoda and soon-to-be-launched Jaecoo sub-brands – this exercise has extended to achieving the necessary Euro NCAP crash-safety ratings required to make inroads into Europe.
We came away from our first test of the Omoda C5 (see CAR, August 2023) reasonably satisfied that there was enough substance to match its head-turning exterior styling. Now, the arrival of a new flagship (and, according to Chery, limited-edition) C5 GT derivative aims to add a degree of exclusivity while including a welcome upgrade to the powertrain.
It is sold with a choice of “up to eight” styling kits, and in its most aggressive form, a locally sourced detailing firm will – for the price of R10 000 – mount a front splitter, side skirts and an optimistically sized rear wing to the C5 GT’S already enhanced exterior.
Another option is to have the car’s standard 18-inch alloy wheels finished in a similar gold hue to that of its badging. Eagleeyed observers will note the new
More power and a dual-clutch transmission
That rear wing could perhaps be a bit of a stretch
model rides slightly lower and has a split headlamp design as well as a bespoke LED daytime running light signature.
There’s more gold trim to be found in the cabin of the GT, though thankfully this is limited to the door panels and the frame of the centre console. An update that will likely be included across the range in due time is a 50 W wireless mobile-phone charging pad. This model comes with a sunroof as standard.
Also found in the Tiggo 7 Pro Max, this top-of-the-range Omoda is similarly equipped with Chery’s 145 kw/290 N.m 1,6-litre turbopetrol engine that is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch ’box. As a reminder, the rest of the range features a 145 kw/230 N.m 1,5-litre unit mated to a CVT. The GT variant retains its front-wheeldrive layout.
The extra torque was a pleasing addition as we traversed some of the Western Cape’s more scenic mountain passes, including Ou Kaapse Weg at this Omoda’s media launch. Despite a slight lag in the throttle response that we suspect is software- rather than turbo-related, there can be no denying the workings of a dualclutch transmission trump the intrusive workings of a CVT when the need arises to press on. But to be fair, the CVT in the C5 Lux best exemplifies this technology, and to an encouraging degree.
We were appreciative of the ride quality of the Lux model we tested previously and our predictions that a larger wheel size (now 18 inches) may impact overall levels of comfort and refinement were proved accurate once our launch route tackled the notoriously pock-marked section of road between Kommetjie and Scarborough. While this route may have been carefully curated to highlight the C5 GT’S virtues, it does not bode well for those who have to negotiate those neglected road surfaces in other parts of our country.
Kudos to Chery South Africa for convincing its parent company to explore a model like the C5 GT, even if it is unlikely to extend beyond a niche offering. Faux aero aside, the most positive aspect of this new halo model is a more refined drivetrain, which we hope to see added across the entire Omoda range in time.