Chery launches Tiggo 8 Pro SUV in SA

CHERY, after returning to the SA market late last year with the Tiggo 4 Pro crossover, has now released another vehicle in the country, bringing the brand's tally to two.

The bigger Tiggo 8 Pro was launched this week, offering new car buyers a fancy seven-seater SUV with all the bells and whistles.

Two models are on offer at launch – Distinctive and Executive.

Chery said the Tiggo 8 Pro is aimed at providing local buyers with a 'first class' experience, without requiring them to purchase a long list of optional extras.

'In planning for the introduction of the Tiggo 8 Pro, we used the analogy of first class travel.

'Once in first class, your every need is satisfied; there are no hidden costs, no surprise bills, and luxury is a given,' said the company.

STYLE AND LUXURY

The Tiggo 8 Pro shares the stylish design language of its smaller sibling, with every model seeing a 'three-dimensional' grille, matrix-LED headlamps with daytime running lights, satin chrome finishes, LED rear lights with dual fog lights, illuminated sills, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Major controls over three screens. The first is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is accompanied by a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and below this an 8-inch display for the dual-zone climate control functions.

Each new Tiggo 8 Pro is also equipped with an eight-speaker Sony surround sound system, a reverse camera, a wireless charger, keyless entry and start, intelligent voice control, seven leather seats, a powered driver's seat, three USB ports, and ambient lighting.

The range-topping Executive model boasts climate control for the rearmost seats, a brown-and-black interior with diamond-pattern stitching, an electrically-adjustable front passenger seat, and privacy glass.

POWER AND SAFETY

Both models are powered by a 1.6 litre TGDI turbo-petrol engine that powers the front wheels through a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox.

This engine produces 145kW at 5 500rpm and 290Nm between 2 000 and 4 400rpm.

Drive is sent to the front wheels, and the driver can choose from Standard, Eco and Sport driving modes.

Chery said it has made no compromise on safety in its Tiggo 8 Pro SUV, resulting in every variant being equipped with six airbags, traction control, roll stability control, ABS with emergency brake assist, rear parking sensors, 360-degree parking view, hillstart and downhill assist, and automatic window closing.

The Executive comes with an array of advanced driver assistance features including lane departure warning, automatic cruise control, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, intelligent high-beam control, blind-spot monitoring, front collision warning, an emergency brake override system, and door opening warning and prevention.

ONE MILLION KILOMETRES

The Tiggo 8 Pro is sold with a fiveyear/60 000km service plan and fiveyear/150 000km warranty, as well as Chery’s 10-year/one million kilometre warranty, which only applies to the first owner.

Pricing for the two models are R496 900 for the Distinctive trim and R546 900 for the Executive. Autodealer will publish a driving impression as soon as a demonstrator becomes available from the East Motor Group.