Chery South Africa today hosted a series of first-round test drives of its newly homologated Chery Tiggo 4 Pro at Gerotek outside Pretoria.
This article was written by Cherry on QuickPic.
The Tiggo 4 Pro will be the first model to launch in South Africa, with deliveries to customers scheduled for late November, shortly after the opening of the first 30 dealerships.
Says Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager, Chery South Africa: “The Tiggo 4 Pro will be one of the most advanced SUVs in the compact urban SUV class when it is launched to the public in November.
“At the same time, it will be one of the most competitively priced models in its class. It is only fitting that it will be launched first in South Africa, which incidentally is the first country on the globe to launch the right-hand drive version.”
Unmistakably modern, unmistakably Chery.
There will be no mistaking a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro for any other vehicle when it arrives on local soil.
The Tiggo 4 Pro is the first ambassador of the modern Chery design language. It includes a large grille with integrated LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights.
The bonnet, front bumper, side profile, rear luggage door and rear lights are deeply sculpted, with the focus on sporty dynamism and a feeling of movement, even when stationary.
Depending on the specification level, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro will be shod with 16” or 17” machined alloy wheels.
Several drivetrain configurations.
The Tiggo 4 Pro will be available with Chery’s next-generation 1.5 litre petrol engines and a choice of two manual and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Entry-level models will be fitted with the normally aspirated variant of this four-cylinder engine, sporting intelligent variable valve timing. This engine is rated to deliver 85 kW and 141 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission or CVT.
The turbo-version of the Tiggo 4 is equipped with Chery’s award-winning TCI turbo-charged engine. This turbo-petrol engine delivers a hearty 108 kW and 210 Nm of torque to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or CVT.
6D Longitudinal Beam Structure.
While aimed at the compact SUV category, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro has a 2 610 mm wheelbase and an overall length of 4 318mm, placing it much higher against larger SUVs and crossover vehicles.
The long wheelbase and wide placement of the wheels will reward spirited drivers, who will find its sure-footedness a welcome boon in the compact SUV segment. Ditto the independent rear suspension, which was tuned with the help of the British Lotus group.
“The Tiggo 4 Pro is also one of the first models to ride on our new six-dimensional beam platform, which we call the 6D Longitudinal Beam Structure. More than two-thirds of the vehicle’s frame and structure is built with high- and ultra-high-strength steel, and the 6-dimensional design gives it unmatched torsional rigidity and crashes safety,” says Liu.
All models of the Tiggo 4 Pro will be equipped with passive and dynamic safety systems, including two or six airbags (depending on the model), vehicle stability control on all models, hill hold control and, on higher specification models, hill descent control and cruise control.
Luxury standard.
As one of the newest models in the Chery global family, the Tiggo 4 Pro will introduce dual-screen luxury as a standard feature in the compact SUV class.
Entry models have a 3.5” TFT full colour screen in place of a traditional analogue instrument panel, while higher specification models increase the size to a full 7” screen. This colour screen ensures visibility in all conditions and a high level of customisation with different information sources from both the vehicle and the driver’s mobile phone.
Taking centre stage in the cabin is the second large full colour screen. This screen is a 10.25” capacitive touch screen that incorporates most of the vehicle control and is equipped – throughout the range – with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and a DVD player.
All models also have air conditioning, electric windows and automatic headlamps, to name but a few luxury features. Luxury versions add even more specifications, including a powered sunroof, an intelligent voice command system and climate control.
“We hope that this first drive experience has given South African journalists a taste of how Chery has harnessed technology – in the drivetrain, platform design and interior luxury innovations – to deliver on its slogan ‘Fun to Drive’.
“We look forward revealing the full line-up, with pricing and service plan details, in a month’s time. We will then also reveal what we believe to be a class-leading warranty solution to give our customers the peace of mind that they deserve,” says Liu.
