Imagine this: a vehicle, not a boat, but a car, slicing through the churning waters of the Yangtze River. Sounds like something out of a James Bond movie, right? Well, it just happened! Chery's Jetour Zongheng G700 has officially become the first SUV to conquer the mighty Yangtze, and people are already talking about it.
On October 16th, 2025, the Jetour Zongheng G700 embarked on its historic journey from the Heisha Zhou Ferry Terminal in Wuhu, Anhui Province – the very city where Chery calls home. This wasn't just a quick dip; it was a full-fledged amphibious assault on China's longest river, a feat that captured the attention of car enthusiasts and engineers alike.
The journey itself was impressive. The SUV navigated a staggering 1,480 meters of water in just 22 minutes. Think about that: nearly 1.2 kilometers of open water, battling currents that ranged from 5 to 10 kilometers per hour. Yet, the Zongheng G700 maintained a stable floating position, cruising at approximately 7 km/h until it triumphantly reached the Nanlong Ferry Terminal. It's a true testament to engineering prowess.
But how was this even possible? What kind of sorcery allowed an SUV to transform into a makeshift boat? The secret lies in the Zongheng G700's cutting-edge technology. Chery equipped it with a seamless, hole-free painted body (critical for obvious reasons!), an active air circulation system to prevent water ingress, and a powerful 800V high-voltage silicon carbide high-speed propulsion system. And this is the part most people miss: a sophisticated 6-axis gyroscope continuously adjusted the vehicle's balance, providing incredibly precise control during the water traverse. Without that gyroscope, this whole stunt could have ended very differently.
Scheduled for launch on October 19th, the Zongheng G700 is being positioned as a large, luxurious, hybrid off-road SUV. It will be available in four different configurations, with pre-sale prices ranging from 349,900 to 429,900 yuan (approximately $49,000 to $60,200 USD). This puts it squarely in competition with established luxury SUV brands, but with a unique selling point no one else can currently match: the ability to (apparently) cross major rivers.
Under the hood, the Zongheng G700 boasts a 2.0TD hybrid-specific engine that delivers 155 kW of power and 340 N·m of torque, all while achieving a remarkable thermal efficiency of 45.5%. Built on an advanced 800V architecture, it features a 2-speed DHT hybrid transmission, a 4C dual-layer battery system, and a 2-speed P4 electric motor. The result? A combined power output of 560 kW (that's a whopping 751 horsepower!) and 795 N·m of torque. Plus, with a full tank, it offers a claimed range of 1,400 kilometers. Impressive figures indeed.
For context, the Yangtze River (or Chang Jiang, as it's known in Chinese) isn't just any river. It's the longest in both China and Asia, and the third-longest in the world, stretching a staggering 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles). It begins its journey in the Tanggula Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau and flows eastward across south-central and east-central China before finally emptying into the East China Sea near Shanghai. Wuhu, the city where this historic crossing took place, sits on the south bank of the Yangtze, about 350 km upstream from Shanghai.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is this merely a publicity stunt, or does it represent a genuine leap forward in automotive engineering? Will this technology become commonplace in future SUVs, allowing us to bypass bridges and ferries altogether? Or is it a niche feature designed to appeal to a very specific (and perhaps adventurous) clientele? And perhaps most importantly: Is it safe? While Chery claims the vehicle maintained a stable position, the Yangtze can be a treacherous river.
What do you think? Is this a game-changer, or a gimmick? Would you trust an SUV to get you across a major river? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
