Jetour S08 PHEV Media Test Drive: QC to Tanay

By Traffic Network PH

Ahead of its official Philippine launch, JETOUR Auto Philippines handed us the keys to the JETOUR S08 PHEV for an exclusive media drive. The test route took us straight out of the morning standstill in Scout Rallos, Quezon City, and up the steep, sweeping climbs of Marilaque Highway into Tanay, Rizal. It was the perfect real-world loop to test how this 7-seater crossover handles power delivery, chassis control, and its suite of driver assists.

Model Lineup & Color Variants

Positioned as a 7-seater family crossover, the JETOUR S08 hits the market with both hybrid and traditional petrol options, alongside a distinct set of interior and exterior finishes:

Model Lineup:

JETOUR S08 i-DM (PHEV): The flagship plug-in hybrid model we tested, featuring an 18.4 kWh CATL battery tied to a 1.5L Turbo engine and Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).
JETOUR S08 ICE: The standard petrol-powered variant built for traditional crossover buyers.

Exterior Colors:
- Azure Grey (Hero Color)
- Morning Mist White
- Midnight Black
- Stream Silver
Interior Finishes:
- Camel Brown Leather with wood-grain trim accents
- Solar Orange / Dark Dual-Tone

Powertrain & Architecture: The i-DM Multi-Mode Hybrid

At the center of the S08 i-DM is JETOUR’s i-DM (Intelligent Drive Multi-Mode) system. Rather than relying on a basic mild-hybrid setup, it pairs a gas engine and a high-output electric motor managed by a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT):

Gas Engine: 1.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline-4.
Electric Motor: Front-mounted synchronous motor producing 150 kW (~204 PS) and 310 Nm of torque.
Battery Pack: 18.4 kWh CATL Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) Battery.
Power Features: Supports Fast DC Charging plus 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power discharge for running external electronics.

Road Test Assessment: Metro Manila Traffic to Mountain Curves

1. Urban Commute & EV Mode (Scout Rallos, QC)

Crawling through morning congestion out of QC, the S08 stays in pure EV mode by default. Off-the-line throttle response is instant and completely linear, with zero mechanical delay.

NVH & Cabin Quietness: Acoustic glass and electric drive keep cabin noise down to a whisper, keeping city traffic noise firmly outside.
Stop-and-Go Efficiency: Regeneration continuously feeds energy back into the 18.4 kWh pack during stop-and-go deceleration, saving battery life for the rest of the trip.

2. Mountain Grade Performance & Handling (Marilaque Highway)

Taking on the inclines toward Tanay gave us a clear picture of how the powertrain handles heavy load and cornering:

Immediate Torque on Climbs: On steep overtakes, the 150 kW motor hits you with all 310 Nm of torque right away, with the 1.5L turbo engine kicking in smoothly through the DHT as you build speed.
Smooth Engine Engagement: Switching between electric power and gas power happens without any noticeable hesitation or gear hunting.
Chassis Dynamics: Underneath, it runs MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear. Even with the battery weight under the floor, body roll stays controlled through tight apexes.

JETOUR S08 PHEV SPEC-TECH OVERVIEW:

Parameter	Specification / Measurement
Vehicle Class	7-Seater Mid-Size Crossover / SUV
Dimensions (L × W × H)	4,810 mm × 1,930 mm × 1,705 mm
Combustion Engine	1.5-Liter Turbocharged Gasoline
Electric Motor Output	150 kW (~204 PS) / 310 Nm Torque
Transmission	Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT)
Traction Battery	18.4 kWh LFP Pack
Wheel Package	20-inch Starlight Alloy Wheels (235/50 R20)
Body Construction	86% High-Strength Steel / 25,000 N·m/deg Torsional Rigidity

Cabin Tech, Ergonomics, & Safety Systems

Inside, the cabin leans heavily into digital tech and modular seating:

Digital Cockpit: Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip driving a multi-screen interface with 64-color ambient lighting.
Safety & ADAS Suite: Comes standard with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Centering Control (LCC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).
Cabin Comfort: Includes 10-point massage memory seats up front, power-folding 2nd and 3rd rows, and up to 32 different seating layout combinations.
Safety Cell: Built around a high-strength steel cage structure tied to 6 standard airbags.

Traffic Network PH Verdict

The JETOUR S08 PHEV hits the sweet spot for local road conditions. By giving you quiet, zero-emission electric driving for the daily commute, alongside a punchy, long-range hybrid setup for highway runs up to Tanay, it delivers a versatile 7-seater package that wipes out range anxiety entirely.