Wait, T1? Isn’t the T2 already out?
Yup, the Jetour T2 i-DM preceded the incoming T1, but it looks like Jetour’s naming convention for this lineup refers not to any chronological pattern, but rather to size. We got behind the wheel of the new Jetour T1 i-DM in Shanghai and took it for a test drive around a closed track. Acceleration tests, slaloms, the works.
So the T1 is smaller?
Right again. The T1 i-DM is the T2’s smaller sibling in the lineup. Interestingly, T1 and T2 ride on the same platform, which means Jetour just cut a little off the top and around the sides to make it smaller and more nimble.
Inside the cabin, it doesn’t feel that much different from the T2. The large screen and the wide center console still dominate the front half, while the second row still sees a decent amount of legroom and a comfortable bench. It’s worth noting that there are significantly fewer metal accents in the cabin, in favor of more plastic pieces. This was mostly noticed on the gearshift, but that’s not to say that the use of plastic is bad. There were no creaks in our test unit, which bodes well considering this is supposed to be a cheaper model.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Honda Cars PH rolls out ‘E-Checksheet’ to provide more efficient after-sales support
This new AUDI EV can do nearly 800km on a single charge
How much cheaper?
The T1 i-DM’s Philippine pricing has yet to be confirmed. If it is indeed a smaller, more accessible version of the T2 i-DM, then we could expect a price of under P2.898 million. In Jetour’s home market, Chinese car buyers can opt between the i-DM variant—a plug-in hybrid—or a traditional ICE setup. Should Jetour Auto Philippines decide to bring in all variants, we could see a price range that starts just below P2 million.
So, how does the T1 drive?
During our test, we also noticed that the T1 is significantly lighter than the T2. This, combined with its smaller frame, made for an agile and smooth drive. During slaloms and sharper turns, the T1 felt sturdy and planted. Its weight wasn’t drastically shifting around, and we felt no understeer. Although that may be in part due to the conservative speeds we were going at—around 70-85kph—and the one-speed dual-hybrid transmission. It doesn’t necessarily make for spirited drives, but for most urban dwellers, it should be fine.
If anything, it at least proves that the T1 can handle ramps and tight corners of any mall parking lot in Metro Manila. And thanks to that plug-in hybrid powertrain, it’s guiltless idling until a slot opens up. Speaking of, if the Philippine-spec T1 i-DM will be just like China’s, we’re looking at a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and a 26.7kWh battery, powering dual motors.
When is the T1 coming?
We can likely expect the Jetour T1 i-DM later in 2025, in the second half of the year. JAPI just unveiled the T2 i-DM at the 2025 Manila International Auto Show earlier this month, so they might give that model some time to simmer in the market before another big release.
