Chery’s fleet in South Africa is confined to the crossover and SUV segments that have seen great success in offering a refund driving experience on SA-tarred roads. However, there’s word that an off-road inclined SUV is in development, supposedly dubbed the Chery Tiggo 1 or TJ-1.
It must be said that nowhere on Chery’s local or international press platform is there mention of this alleged overlander. Chery SA hasn’t been able to confirm this or another prospective addition to the Tiggo subspecies (dubbed the Chery Tiggo 9, apparently a more luxurious addition to Chevy’s lineup). With this in mind, all information regarding this soldier SUV addition needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Initial reports that we’ve seen have surfaced from China accompanied by renderings of the mysterious SUV. Based on this little information provided, the Chery Tiggo 1 is a drastic offshoot from the firm’s current styling and design. Sporting staunch, bulky wheel arches affording it a bolder and sportier physique. From what these renderings depict, the TJ-1 bears a significant amount of luxury SUVs styling cues such as the wrap-around taillights paired with what can only be an LED brake light strip and the modern front fascia. Other significant styling choices range from the Chery name branded and splayed on the front of the car smack bang in the centre of its large front grille, extended wheel arches, and stylistic roof.
With no indication that this is factual information, the source claims that this rugged all-terrain people carrier will be propelled by a 1,5-litre turbocharged motor working in tandem with some electric motor which we can only assume is why the report from the aforementioned source claims that the Chery Tiggo 1 will be a PHEV SUV. Other questionable details include the mention of it bearing an 8-speed automatic transmission with base-model variants endowed with a front-wheel drive configuration with higher trim levels kitted with four-wheel drive.
Again, these claims are shaky at best, but the source claims that the full unveiling of the Tiggo 1 will happen at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, which is scheduled for July this year.
