Since its launch six months ago, the Jetour T Series has made a strong impression on the South African automotive market, with over 4587 units sold across the range. Hosting a Jetour Owner’s Club Adventure Day provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities firsthand.
This was exactly what took place on Saturday, 28 April, when a select group of Jetour T2 owners of the top-spec Odyssey model, were invited to De Wildt Nature Park and Resort near Hartbeespoort in Gauteng.
With comprehensive guidance from seasoned off-road expert André de Villiers, customers gained valuable insights before putting their vehicles to the test on more challenging tracks.
“The day was really about giving customers a better understanding of their vehicles in a practical, hands-on environment. We covered everything from safety and responsible driving to preserving the natural environment, as well as how to approach and manage different obstacles,” says de Villiers.” Importantly, drivers also got to understand how the vehicle works: its systems, features and capabilities, along with its limitations, which is essential for building confidence behind the wheel”.
De Villiers is a mechanical engineer, with decades of experience handling vehicles on challenging terrain. Growing up in Wellington, South Africa, he developed a passion for adventurous driving from a young age and has enjoyed an extensive career combining his technical expertise with hands-on experience navigating difficult terrains worldwide.
De Villiers is also a well-known television personality, having hosted kykNET’s Safari 4×4 Roetes for 14 seasons, showcasing 4×4 driving techniques and adventure travel across Southern Africa, making him the perfect guide to demonstrate vehicle capabilities on tougher tracks, as he did for this Jetour Owner’s Club customer day.
“On the course, we worked through real-world scenarios including gravel roads, mud, steep inclines and technical sections, focusing on techniques like maintaining momentum to navigate obstacles effectively. Overall, it was about equipping drivers with the knowledge and confidence to handle more challenging conditions safely and responsibly,” he says.
T2 Odyssey owners Shane and Shernelle from Roseacres, Johannesburg, who attended the Jetour Owner’s Club Adventure Day, said that André and Wikus, the other instructor, did an excellent job. “The sessions were incredibly practical, combining useful background insights with hands-on experience. What really stood out was their patience and the clear, simple tips they shared while we were actually behind the wheel, helping us build confidence step by step. For me, the biggest takeaway was a simple but powerful lesson: keep the momentum,” says Shane.
“I learned a great deal about how to manoeuvre, how to use the correct settings and build confidence through the practical sessions. We also picked up valuable lessons, like how to drive in a convoy, which will be especially useful for future trips to places like Namibia or Botswana,” he says.
Jared, from Hartebeespoort, says that the event was fun, well organised and the team was phenomenal. “They put the event together perfectly, from the catering to the informative talks about the vehicle and off roading. It was truly an enriching experience for us as Jetour drivers”. He adds that the training helped clarify the vehicle’s capabilities and clear up any misconceptions, especially for people who may not fully understand the capabilities of the T2. “Now that we understand how the vehicle performs and its features, we see it can do so much more than most realise. With the right use of its functions, it’s a robust, adventurous vehicle capable of tackling challenging slopes and paths, all in true comfort and luxury”.
The range-topping Jetour T2 Odyssey combines luxury and technology with features equipped for more challenging driving. It comes with 4WD, a 7-speed DCT transmission, and 180kW of power, allowing confident handling across varied terrain.
Complementing its robust performance and bold, boxy shape, the T2 Odyssey comes with premium features including multi-colour interior ambient lighting, a 12-speaker Sony sound system and an electrically adjustable passenger seat. While the T2 is primarily all-wheel drive with high-range gearing, the Xplora and Odyssey derivatives include a crawl function, enhancing control on uneven or rugged surfaces and giving drivers the ability to tackle more adventurous tracks with confidence.
Combined with advanced driver-assistance systems, hill descent control, traction and stability control, and a comprehensive safety package, the Odyssey is designed to give drivers both comfort and confidence when exploring more demanding terrain.
The T2 Odyssey is priced from R679 900, and is available in Glacier White, Lunar Silver, Onyx Black, Titan Silver and Aqua Green. Also available in the range is the 4WD Jetour T2 Xplora from R639 900 and the 2WD T2 Aspire from R569 900.
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James Endersby has grown research and insights agency, Opinium Research, from a small London start-up to an international insight agency with clients all over the world, including South Africa. His business grew 50 percent last year, and won an international research award for its work with the London School of Economics measuring democratic engagement around the world. Endersby helps build better futures for children from the poorest countries in the world in his postition as Interim Chairman for Street Kids International.