We’ll receive a new Chery on top (of the midsize SUV segment) next year, with the new Tiggo 9 confirmed for arrival in both petrol- and plug-in hybrid forms.
Chery's South African model range is currently capped by the high-performance Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max AWD. But, when the new Tiggo 9 lands on local soil in the first quarter of 2025, buyers will be able to choose something even more spacious and luxurious.
Unveiled at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, the Tiggo 9 is based on the same platform as the Chery Tiggo 8, but stretched in all directions and redesigned with an extra emphasis on comfort and high-tech features. During its reveal, the availability of petrol, plug-in hybrid and electric power was mentioned, but South Africa will only receive the combustion- and hybrid drivetrains at launch.
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High-tech hybrid
Chery’s corporate 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine serves in the combustion-only model, and produces 187 kW and 390 Nm. Seeing as the Tiggo 9 is derived from the Tiggo 8’s platform, it’s most likely that this engine will be mated to the same 7-speed dual-clutch transmission as is used in its smaller sibling, and buyers will again have the choice between FWD and on-demand AWD.
Things become rather more interesting with the hybrid drivetrain (PHEV), which features a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder using the Miller combustion cycle to achieve an impressive thermal efficiency of more than 45%. This engine is augmented by an 750V electric motor (itself achieving more than 98% efficiency) to send total system outputs of 175 kW and 385 Nm to all four wheels through an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox.
These outputs suggest fairly strong performance, and a brief sprint down a pre-planned test strip at the Chery factory showed a good amount of get-up from a standing start, but its main drawcard should be fuel efficiency. With a full tank of petrol and a fully-charged battery, the Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV should be capable of going more than 1 200 km before needing to refuel, thanks to a claimed average consumption of only 5.2 litres/100 km.
Related: Read more about the hot-performing Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max AWD here.
Emphasis on luxury and features
As befits a flagship model, the Chery Tiggo 9 will arrive with all the bells and whistles included in its specification sheet. A 5-seater model with cavernous accommodations will be available in other markets, but South Africa will only get the 7-seat option.
The demonstration example we sampled at the Chery test facility had an interior trimmed in beige and blue leather, with a contrasting textured grey inlay in the dashboard and door cards. It all appears suitably plush, and meets the remit of a range-topping model in initial visual and tactile quality.
Chery places a great emphasis on seating comfort, with the Tiggo 8 already boasting some of the most comfortable seats around. The Tiggo 9 is set to further expand on this priority item, with heating, ventilation, massage functions, and many electrical adjustments to tailor a perfect seating position. The piece de resistance is the extending lower cushion, however, just as one would find in a business class airline compartment or as an option in a German luxury sedan...
The equipment list is as comprehensive as the interior ambience is luxurious, with a 2.5K HD infotainment screen enjoying pride of place atop the centre console. All manner of active driver aids are included as standard, and the user interface is slick and well-considered.
Image: paultan.org
South African specifications will only become known when this model launches, but we expect it to be extremely comprehensively equipped to rival (or exceed) more-expensive, premium-branded offerings. The current estimate is that the Tiggo 9 will arrive with a starting price well below the R 1-million mark, continuing Chery’s trend of giving buyers a lot more than the pricetag would suggest.
Martin Pretorius
- Proudly CHANGECARS
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