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Zhang Tong

A Chinese car maker has achieved an unprecedented automotive feat by crossing the mighty Yangtze River with a turbo-powered sports utility vehicle.
The engineering achievement by Chery’s powerful Jetour G700 SUV was intended as more than a marketing stunt; it showcased the increasing technical ambitions of China’s auto industry and its commitment to advancing vehicle capabilities well beyond conventional limits.
The powerful electric Jetour G700 SUV set off on Thursday morning from the Heishazhou ferry terminal in Wuhu, in central Anhui province.
It traversed a span of 1.48km (0.92 miles) at an average speed of 7km/h (4.5mph) in 22 minutes before arriving at the opposite river bank.

A live broadcast showed water levels just above the vehicle’s tyres, with door handles still visible above the surface.
Wearing life jackets, the driver and co-pilot kept the windows lowered and communicated via a walkie-talkie as support boats followed closely behind. The social media live stream attracted more than 2.5 million viewers.
On October 2, Li Xueyong, Chery’s vice-president, released a video showing the vehicle crossing calm lake waters.
The Yangtze crossing, however, posed a far greater challenge: at an average width of 1.2km, the river’s depth ranges from 15–20 metres (49-66 feet), with currents that exceed 5km/h and even greater turbulence beneath its seemingly calm surface.
The G700 stands out in a field long dominated by Western companies such as US-based WaterCar, which makes the Panther, an amphibious jeep that can exceed 70km/h on water. Having crossed the Yangtze, the mass-produced G700 now represents a new frontier in civilian amphibious technology.
Positioned as a luxury off-road SUV, the G700 is equipped with two military-grade turbo thrusters, each with a rated power of 15 kilowatts and peak power of 18kW.
Together, they generate thrust of 3,000 newtons, enough to propel the 3 tonne vehicle steadily through the river for over an hour.
The vehicle’s core components meet the IP68 waterproof standard, Li said. Upon entering the water, the chassis drain holes automatically seal, allowing a maximum wading depth of 0.97 metres.

The SUV also features ship-grade anti-corrosion technology, a seamless painted body and an active air circulation system, with the cabin capable of withstanding water pressure up to a depth of 2 metres. A built-in gyroscope can continuously adjust thruster output to maintain stability.
On land, the G700 is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged hybrid engine delivering a combined 665kW (904 horsepower).
Its on-board system integrates satellite communication technology and can be outfitted with an external oxygen generator for use in extreme environments.
The vehicle also incorporates Huawei’s intelligent driving system. Set to launch on October 19, the G700 already has more than 10,000 pre-orders.
BYD’s U8 has shown impressive water-wading capabilities thanks to its wheel hub motors. With independent control over all four wheels, the vehicle can move, turn or reverse in water at speeds of up to 3km/h.
However, the function is intended for emergency use only, and a water exposure inspection may cost up to 20,000 yuan (US$2,806).


In 1961, Germany introduced the Amphicar 770, a mass-produced amphibious car capable of 113km/h on land.
In water, power was transmitted via a driveshaft to a propeller at the rear, allowing it to reach speeds of 7 knots. Marketed as a luxury toy, the Amphicar ended production by 1968.
Chinese carmakers are at the forefront of technological transformation. For instance, BYD sold 582,500 all-electric vehicles in the third quarter of 2025, surpassing Tesla for the fourth consecutive quarter and topping global EV sales.
In the first nine months of the year, BYD’s total new energy vehicle sales exceeded 3.26 million, including more than 700,000 units sold overseas.
Meanwhile, the Chery Group sold 2 million vehicles in the first three quarters, with 936,000 units exported. It has exceeded 100,000 exported units per month for five consecutive months, maintaining its position as China’s top automotive exporter.
“Chinese carmakers now lead globally in patent filings,” said an automotive engineer in Shanghai who declined to be named.
“They hold clear advantages in production scale, power battery technology and charging infrastructure. In emerging fields like vehicle intelligence, they have also established a partial lead.”
“Exploring new application scenarios like the G700 epitomises the vigorous growth and innovative capacity of China’s auto industry,” the engineer added.


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Science

China electric SUV conquers Yangtze with cutting-edge tech

The turbo-powered Chery Jetour G700 SUV has traversed the Yangtze River in just 22 minutes, marking another milestone for China’s auto industry. Photo: Handout

The G700 SUV crossed the Yangtze River at an average speed of 7km/h. Photo: Handout

More than 2.5 million viewers watched a live stream of the Chery G700 SUV crossing the Yangtze River. Photo: Handout

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News

China

Chery’s all-terrain Jetour G700 masters famous river in a showcase of global tech ambitions that redefine vehicle limits


Chery’s all-terrain Jetour G700 masters famous river in a showcase of global tech ambitions that redefine vehicle limits.


China electric SUV conquers Yangtze with cutting-edge tech

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chery’s all-terrain Jetour G700 masters famous river in a showcase of global tech ambitions that redefine vehicle limits

Chery’s all-terrain Jetour G700 masters famous river in a showcase of global tech ambitions that redefine vehicle limits