When the OMODA first launched in SA, it positioned itself as a more premium offering from Chery, sporting a more obscure and futuristic appearance that may have divided many crowds. We see many on the roads today, and for those who are interested but hesitant because of the looks, you'll be glad that there is a facelift on the way, and it looks phenomenal.
On our schedule for the User Summit trip were a series of test drives for cars that we were getting from the various brands in their hybrid to electric guises. During our one test trip, we were shown for the first time the updated version of the OMODA C5, and might I say, it looks superb.
They have definitely fixed the appearance by doing away with the big rounded face in exchange for a more minimalist, futuristic, and sculptured front end that features this split light layout, consisting of daytime running lights at the top and smartly placed headlights below. The car debuts OMODA's Mecha design language first seen in the newly revealed C4.
The big grille is gone in exchange for a more subtle face that has a closed-off look, kind of like a full EV. The result is a cleaner and sharper face that is now signature OMODA.
The 17 inch alloy rim design changes and the side profile still managed to maintain the round shape of the current C5 just with some more lines here and there.
Go back to the rear, and again they have found a nice way to touch just enough of the car to make it look better and maintain its signature look of the C5. There is a new LED light that spans the boot lid, which looks fantastic, especially when lit up.
You thought that was all they would change, right? Well, no. Why would they stop at just altering the appearance? They 've done some wonders on the inside as well. The space gains OMODA's new oval-shaped single-spoke multifunctional steering wheel and a massive infotainment screen, along with a new small and slim driver's digital display.
The gear selector also changes from a knob to a button, like you find in most cars today. There is more expressive orange stitching and accents found around the cabin (this might be a spec or trim dependant), and sitting in it for those 4 seconds felt very spacious, well-built and comfortable.
For engine options, we learned that the entry-level naturally aspirated C5 would be cut in order to accommodate the incoming and newly revealed C4, which will be positioned as the entry into the OMODA brand.
This means that there will be a sole engine available as the 1.5 TCI petrol engine that outputs 115 kW and 230 Nm, which was originally available as the top of the range of the C5 series. As an addition, there will be SHS (hybrid electric) and all-electric options added, probably as soon as this update makes its landfall in Mzansi. There seems to be a AWD badge on the back suggesting that there might be the option to choose between 2WD or AWD.
For pricing, you should expect adjustments to accommodate the incoming smaller C4. For context, the current C5 retails for R329,900 and tops out at R364,900, as there are just two to pick from. An estimation would suggest that the car would make its way into the early 400 000 rand mark. Until word on pricing is released, I believe that this is what the C5 needed to move more units than it already has and should cause a craze in the streets of SA.