But somehow the math doesn’t make sense. . . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

Although not available in the U.S.—and not likely to be anytime soon—there is an array of vehicles coming from China-based brands that have some purported capabilities that are rather astonishing.

Take, for example, the forthcoming JAECOO 7 SHS, an SUV that is going on sale in the U.K. market.

This vehicle, a plug-in hybrid, is claimed by the company, which is part of the Chery Group, to deliver, on the WLTP test procedure, a fuel efficiency of. . .

403 mpg

The “SHS” in the name comes from “Super Hybrid System.”

If it gets 403 mpg, it really must be super.

The range is stated at 745 miles.

The vehicle has a 1.5-liter engine that produces 143 bhp. The engine has six technologies the company says contributes to its efficiency.

They are: Deep Miller cycle; i-HEC internal combustion; i-HTM intelligent thermal management system; HTC efficient turbocharging; i-LS intelligent lubrication and HiDS high dilution.

I don’t know what they are, either.

Then there’s a transmission that has four technologies:

Quad-core dual electronic control MCU; IGBT double-sided water cooling; a high-efficiency dual motor; hydraulic split cooling.

Which is slightly more understandable.

And then there’s a 18.3-kW lithium iron phosphate battery pack.

It provides, according to the company, the ability to drive 58 miles on electricity alone.

The JAECOO 7 SHS has a starting price in the U.K. of £35,065 (~$43,000).

Here’s something that seems a bit mysterious, though.

It has a 60-liter fuel tank. That’s 15.68 gallons.

If it is rated at 403 mpg, then shouldn’t the 15.68 gallons of gas be good for 6,319 miles?