JAECOO × Momenta Complete Zero-Takeover L2++ Challenge at the Arc de Triomphe, Taking on the “World’s Most Challenging Roundabout”
On 12 October, during the Paris Motor Show, JAECOO and Momenta completed a zero-takeover L2++ challenge at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Xiaohong Hou, Managing Director of Chery Europe R&D Center GmbH, Peter Matkin, CTO of Chery Europe R&D Center GmbH, and Dr Qing Rao, Chief Solution Architect at Momenta, took part in the challenge aboard a JAECOO 7 test vehicle equipped with the Momenta R7 World Model, taking on the Arc de Triomphe’s “World’s Most Challenging Roundabout” to showcase the intelligent driver assistance experience the two companies are jointly developing for Europe. The vehicle remains in the testing and validation phase.
Taking on the “World’s Most Challenging Roundabout”— One of the Toughest Tests for Intelligent Driver Assistance
The approximately 11.38-kilometre driving route began in La Défense, crossed the Seine, passed through Neuilly-sur-Seine and continued through the Arc de Triomphe roundabout and surrounding neighbourhoods. It covered roads without lane markings, a roundabout where 12 avenues converge, the unconventional “priority to the right” rule, traffic merging from multiple directions, roadworks diversions, and interactions with pedestrians and cyclists.
At the Arc de Triomphe roundabout, twelve avenues converge on a roadway with no clear lane markings. Unlike many conventional roundabouts, vehicles already circulating must give way to those entering from the right. With traffic crossing paths and available space constantly changing, the vehicle must judge when to yield and when to proceed while choosing a path towards its intended exit.
Facing these challenges, the JAECOO 7 and Momenta yielded smoothly and adapted its path to surrounding traffic. From entering the roundabout to exiting, it navigated with composure and fluidity, demonstrating composed and fluent driving behaviour in complex European road conditions. On the surrounding streets, the vehicle handled roadworks, narrow roads and interactions with pedestrians and cyclists through natural steering, smooth deceleration and measured manoeuvres, translating its technological capabilities into a noticeably more effortless driving experience. A safety driver monitored the journey throughout and remained ready to take control whenever necessary.
From Growing European Momentum to Smarter Driving, JAECOO 7 Advances the Driving Experience
The challenge comes as JAECOO continues to build strong momentum in Europe. After officially entering the French market in April this year, the brand reached 2,589 new vehicle registrations in September, just six months later, with a market share of 1.6%. Meanwhile, the JAECOO 7 ranked among the top models in the UK market's overall sales rankings in September, reflecting growing recognition of JAECOO among European consumers.
Behind this growing market momentum is OMODA & JAECOO’s continued understanding of the needs of new-elite customers. Designed for drivers who value quality, appreciate driving performance and enjoy outdoor exploration, the JAECOO 7 combines refined off-road styling with a refined driving experience and premium passenger comfort. The JAECOO 7 SHS-P variant, powered by the SHS (Super Hybrid System), combines strong performance with efficiency, supporting both everyday journeys and a refined outdoor lifestyle. Looking ahead, the introduction of intelligent driver assistance technology aims to further enhance the JAECOO 7’s capabilities, bringing greater refinement and composure to the driving experience.
“We want the JAECOO 7 to help our customers explore more of what life has to offer, while also making everyday driving feel more natural and relaxed,” said Xiaohong Hou.
OMODA & JAECOO’s European R&D network includes centres in Spain, France and Germany, with a UK R&D centre scheduled to open in late autumn 2026, supporting product development tailored to European customer needs. The partnership with Momenta aims to combine advanced intelligent driver assistance technology with European road conditions and driving habits, continually refining a driver assistance experience tailored to local users. The JAECOO 7 test vehicle equipped with the Momenta R7 World Model remains in testing and validation, ahead of its planned future introduction to European customers.
From “Seeing the World” to “Understanding the World”: Building Driver Assistance That Truly Understands Europe
Adapting to European roads requires an understanding of local traffic regulations and real-world traffic interactions. By learning physical laws, common sense and causal relationships from vast amounts of real-world driving data, the Momenta R7 World Model enhances its ability to understand the environment, predict changes and plan driving decisions. This supports stronger negotiation and decision-making in complex traffic, smarter path-selection strategies and agile navigation through narrow, complex spaces.
While the World Model provides the foundation for understanding and reasoning about the physical world, local experience helps make driving behaviour better suited to European roads. Drawing on years of R&D and road testing in Europe, Momenta continues to refine its technology to better adapt to local traffic regulations, road conditions and driving habits. From understanding technology and regulations to understanding traffic and users, Momenta is working towards driver assistance that better understands European roads and delivers more natural, locally adapted driving experiences. The Paris zero-takeover L2++ challenge brought together OMODA & JAECOO’s vehicle development expertise and European market experience with Momenta’s algorithms and local adaptation capabilities.
About OMODA & JAECOO
As a youthful, personalized global brand, OMODA & JAECOO lives by the vision of “Co-creating a Beautiful Life with Young People.” OMODA is dedicated to embracing pioneering global consumers, striving to build “the World's Leading Crossover Brand.” It delivers fashion-forward vehicles with cutting-edge design and futuristic technology to Gen Z, redefining trendy travel culture with a crossover attitude. JAECOO adheres to the philosophy of “From Classic, Beyond Classic,” and is committed to becoming a “Global Elegant Off-Road Brand.” With exceptional four-wheel drive performance, forward-thinking intelligent technologies, and outstanding safety features, it leads a new era of elegant off-road driving.
Born Green, OMODA & JAECOO leverages the world-leading SHS super hybrid technology (covering both PHEV and HEV) to offer the best hybrid solution for global users, driven by the core advantages of “Super High Power, Super Low Energy Consumption, and Super Long Combined Range.” At the same time, the brand is accelerating its BEV technology deployment, responding to diverse mobility needs with stronger and more comprehensive technological capabilities.
In terms of intelligence, the brand focuses on intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit. Powered by SIVP (Super Intelligent Valet Parking) and AI cockpit technologies as key enablers, it builds a full-scenario smart mobility experience and continues to lead the future of mobility. In addition, in collaboration with AiMOGA, the brand has developed robots that extend smart technology into diverse interactive scenarios, broadening the landscape of smart living.
Driven by deep insights into user needs, the brand hit one million in sales in just three years, setting the fastest growth record in the global automotive industry. To date, it has expanded into 79 markets worldwide, covering Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Europe stands out as a particularly strong market – the brand has already entered 23 European countries and become one of the fastest-growing car brands.