The flagship luxury crossover from Chery, the Jetour Zongheng G700, recently executed a remarkable feat of engineering by completing an unprecedented aquatic crossing of the mighty Yangtze River. This historic event, which took place on October 16, 2025, cemented the vehicle's place as the first-ever SUV to successfully navigate the waters of the great Chinese waterway. Occurring just three days before the official commencement of sales, this spectacular demonstration serves as a powerful declaration of Chery's ambitions and technological prowess in the global automotive market, asserting a new paradigm for vehicle capability.
The challenging journey commenced in Wuhu, located in Anhui Province, which is the site of Chery’s corporate headquarters. The Jetour G700 covered the 1480-meter distance in a mere 22 minutes. Despite facing a significant current speed that fluctuated between 5 and 10 km/h, the SUV maintained a steady cruising speed of approximately 7 km/h throughout the maneuver. This successful transit was a testament to the vehicle’s specialized design, which includes a completely sealed, unitary painted body engineered to withstand external water pressure up to 20 kPa.
The ability to traverse the river was made possible by dedicated stern propellers providing forward propulsion. Furthermore, stability during the crossing was ensured by a sophisticated six-axis gyroscope system. This gyroscope continuously monitored and corrected the vehicle’s balance in real-time, guaranteeing exceptional stability even when contending with the river’s strong flow. This focus on robustness and resilience confirms the G700’s capability to perform far beyond standard terrestrial demands.
Powering this amphibious luxury vehicle is the technological heart of the G700: the Chery Kunpeng CDM-O hybrid powertrain. This system utilizes an advanced 800-volt architecture featuring silicon carbide components for high efficiency. While operating in water mode, the 2.0-liter gasoline engine, which delivers 155 kW and 340 Nm of torque, functions primarily as a charging unit for the battery system. The combined output of the hybrid system is an impressive 560 kW, equating to 751 horsepower, coupled with a substantial 795 Nm of torque. This highly efficient setup allows the G700 to boast a claimed driving range of up to 1400 km on a full tank.
The G700 is positioned firmly within the large luxury segment, evidenced by its substantial dimensions: 5198 mm in length, 2050 mm in width, and 1956 mm in height, built upon a 2870 mm wheelbase. Its readiness for challenging terrain is highlighted by the air suspension system, which provides a maximum ground clearance of 320 mm, alongside generous approach and departure angles of 30 and 25 degrees, respectively. Consumers can acquire this technological marvel at a pre-sale price ranging from 349,900 to 429,900 yuan, ahead of its official market launch scheduled for October 19, 2025.