Any Gulf resident with even a mild interest in motoring – and many with even less – will be familiar with the Jetour brand.
Among the many car companies making their forays into world markets in recent years, the Chinese manufacturer can claim to have made an especially significant impact in the Emirates.
One of the brand’s key offerings now gracing the UAE’s highways and byways is the T1, a vehicle that combines the rugged aesthetics of tough off-roaders with the around-town sophistication that would be expected at the more genial end of the spectrum.
The car, sometimes referred to as the Traveler, seems to have been designed specifically to appeal to those seeking a versatile vehicle for both city commutes and light off-road excursions. An urban SUV, or, as parent company Chery would say, an off-roader lite.
While it is not unusual for manufacturers providing cars of this ilk, Jetour has done a good job visually with the T1, making it appear familiar yet still distinctive. It is noticeably different to its significantly tougher-looking sibling, the T2.
That said, it’s not all about prettiness. The T1 retains a boxy, commanding presence, all encompassed within an appealing shape that was created by former Porsche designer Hakan Saracoglu.
Its look incorporates a series of sharp angles set off by LED matrix headlights with distinctive daytime running lamps, accompanied by bold alloy wheels in both 18 and 19-inch formats.
The T1 is smart-looking. Taking it for a test drive, it quickly becomes clear the model isn't about style over substance. That much is immediately evident when entering the cabin.
The T1 feels just as at home on the roads as those piloting the region’s far more well-entrenched SUVs.
Ride-wise, it manages to combine the solidity of rougher rides with the gentility of the rather more demure options.
Driving around in an inexpensive car that doesn’t feel that way is always distinctly agreeable. Admittedly, the engine is at the smaller end of the range in cars of this sort, but the turbocharger definitely gives a leg, or, indeed wheel, up.
Joining motorways from slip lanes doesn’t feel a hurried affair and that is always a bonus in the UAE’s major conurbations.
When it comes to off-road, the T1 is considerably more adept in these areas than many others in the same bracket, and the drive options, including mud, sand and rock, go some way to indicating its willingness to take on the terrain.
Incorporating what is referred to as intelligent four-wheel drive, it also has a wading depth of just north of half a metre, so that’s another plus point. Think twice about doing this with the two-wheel drive option, though.
Inside, Jetour has been going for a premium and tech-rich experience.
The cabin is spacious, but not so much that it feels like an airport lounge. The seating features heating, ventilation and cooling functions that are often found in rather more expensive options.
Tech-wise, the centrepiece is a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, supported by the usual Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The vehicle also features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with USB ports and wireless charging capabilities.
Matters are further improved with the T1’s dual-layer of sun-proof glass that reduces heat, blocks glare and ensures a quieter ride for those on the inside.
The safety package is also decent, featuring driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, along with multiple airbags and a 360-degree panoramic camera.
The takeaway? This is a car that won’t be seeing a lot of off-road action from its buyers, but can handle less severe terrain should the need arise.
The fact that the car might not be first choice for the Dakar Rally isn't really an issue, as that isn’t the point. The T1 is smart, fun and inexpensive, so it’s not hard to see why it’s proving popular.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
SPECS
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
Honeymoonish
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Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Results
5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
Winner Spirit Of Light, Clement Lecoeuvre (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer)
6.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner Bright Start, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
6.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner Twelfthofneverland, Nathan Crosse, Satish Seemar
7.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Imperial Empire, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
7.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Winner Record Man, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Celtic Prince, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
Stage 5:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Jumbo-Visma 04:19:08
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:03
3. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Education-Nippo 00:00:05
5. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:00:06
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 17:09:26
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:45
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:01:12
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:01:54
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo 00:01:56
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
