JAC RF8 plug-in hybrid seven-seater arrives in Egypt at EGP 2.795 million

Kasrawy Group, JAC's agent in Egypt, has launched the RF8, a large seven-seat people carrier with a plug-in hybrid system, according to Masrawy's report on the launch. It is sold in a single, fully equipped trim at an official price of EGP 2,795,000, and it is the first time the Chinese brand has offered an MPV of this kind in Egypt.

The RF8 pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 416 horsepower and 745 Nm of torque, through a gearbox designed for hybrids. The quoted 0 to 100 km/h time is 7.5 seconds. Its 27.6 kWh battery gives up to 150 km of driving on electricity alone and a total range of up to 1,150 km, both on China's CLTC test cycle, which tends to give higher figures than real-world driving. A full charge on an AC home or wall charger takes about 4.5 hours, and DC fast charging takes it from 30 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

This is a big car: 5,215 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,830 mm tall, on a 3,100 mm wheelbase. The seven seats sit in three rows, and the boot holds about 700 litres, up to 2,500 litres with seats folded. Both side doors slide electrically, the tailgate is powered, and the cabin has a 12.3-inch screen, a 12-speaker sound system, ambient lighting, a panoramic roof, separate climate control for passengers, 18-inch wheels, a surround-view camera and front and rear parking sensors. Driver aids include lane departure warning and lane keeping, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning, alongside the usual ABS, EBD, stability and traction control.

The RF8 lands in a segment that has been dominated by a handful of imported vans used by large families, hotels and chauffeur companies, and at a time when list prices for many cars in Egypt are still going up, which has pushed more buyers to consider Chinese brands and electrified models.

If you are thinking about one, the RF8 is sold through Kasrawy Group's JAC showrooms. Check the delivery date and warranty terms on the battery with the dealer before paying a deposit, and remember the electric range only pays off if you can charge at home or work; public fast chargers in Greater Cairo are growing but still spread thin outside the main roads and malls.