New Chery Tiggo 9: South African Flair Meets Chinese Ingenuity

In the heart of Beijing, at the bustling Auto China 2024, a crowd larger than a well-attended braai gathered to witness the global unveiling of the Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV. With over 2000 guests from around the globe, the launch was not just a car reveal, it was more like a mini World Cup, sans the vuvuzelas, but with just as much excitement.

Under the banner “Conquer with you, Guard for Love,” the Tiggo 9 makes a statement that’s as bold as a Springbok’s charge. This isn’t just any SUV, it’s a call to adventure with a promise of reliability, wrapped up in a design as sleek as a cheetah on the savannah. The new Tiggo boasts a Saturn’s Ring grille that’s as flashy as a Jozi tycoon’s diamond cufflinks and sides cleaner than your tannie’s kitchen counter.

Let’s talk specs: the Tiggo 9 stretches out like the Karoo horizon, longer, wider, and taller than its Tiggo 8 Pro sibling. It even packs a third row that can seat seven adults – because, in South Africa, more is always merrier, and you never know when you’ll need extra seats for your cousins, their friends, and a couple of randoms who just happen to need a lift.

Inside, it’s all luxury, with cream and blue leather that’s richer than a boerekos buffet. And those conjoined screens are now a thing of the past, making way for a grand 15.6-inch 2.5K HD solo screen, perfect for navigating from Soweto to Sandton or anywhere the roads might take you.

But let’s not forget the powerhouse under the bonnet: a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with a nifty electric motor, giving you a blend of power and efficiency that’s as balanced as a good potjie. This means less time fueling up and more time road-tripping across the veld.

Scheduled to roll out alongside its ICE siblings in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Tiggo 9 is ready to tackle the urban jungle and the actual jungle alike. Whether it’s a quick dash to the shop or an epic cross-country escapade, Chery’s latest offering is here to keep the spirit of adventure alive, all while keeping an eye on conservation — because even your car wants to save the rhinos.

Now, as I’m just whetting your appetite with this first look, I’m practically buzzing with anticipation to get behind the wheel for a full review. After all, it’s one thing to see this beauty on display, but it’s another to see how it handles the open road. So, stay tuned, because I can’t wait to tell you if the Tiggo 9 is as thrilling to drive as it is to behold.

Get ready, South Africa, because this ride is about as exciting as finding a lion in your backyard – only much, much safer!

The post New Chery Tiggo 9: South African Flair Meets Chinese Ingenuity first appeared on Fuelled.