Chery executives announced the brand’s range will expand to include the Tiggo 4 small SUV before the end of the year.
The Tiggo 4 will add to Chery’s existing range which consists of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 mid-sizers, as well as the Omodoa 5 small SUV.
The Tiggo 4 will sit beneath the Omoda 5 in Chery’s wider line-up, designed to compete with rivals such as the MG ZS, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Venue. The current version measures 4318mm long, 1830mm wide, and 1670mm tall with a 2610mm wheelbase, making it slightly smaller than the Omoda 5, and more in-line with lower-cost rivals.
This new small SUV is already on-sale in South Africa, although as CarsGuide understands it, Australia will receive the latest facelifted version set to debut later this year.
Exact timing on the model is yet to be confirmed, but the brand said its ambition is to have it here before 2025.
It is equipped with a 1.5-litre engine with or without a turbocharger, producing 83kW/138Nm or 108kW/210Nm respectively.
In South Africa it is equipped with either a manual transmission, a continuously variable automatic or a dual-clutch auto.
It’s safe to assume the Australian-delivered version will ship with dual-clutch automatic only and probably the more powerful of the two engine choices.
On the spec front, it includes a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, push-start ignition, dual-zone climate control and, at least on high-grades, an array of active safety equipment.
The facelifted version spotted overseas will feature updated exterior styling to sync it up with the current Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Pro Max.
Inside it looks to get an upgraded dual screen layout across the dash, a similar floating console set-up to its larger siblings and more upmarket styling.
Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer of Chery Australia said “Tiggo 4 will be coming to Australia this side of Christmas. We can’t give you a firm date at this time, but the nuts and bolts are moving.”
The expansion of the Tiggo brand is part of Chery’s global positioning to have a vehicle “to follow every life stage” through “graduating university through to starting a family.” The brand said it was very possible that the Tiggo 9 large SUV shown at the Beijing Auto Show may also join the line-up in the future, but it was too early to confirm it at this time.
It was also too early for the brand to be drawn on price, but to compete it will need to be priced down with the Hyundai Venue Auto (from $24,500), MG ZS (from $22,990) and Kia Stonic S Auto (from $23,790). If the brand follows its current formula, expect drive-away price-tags (as opposed to rival's before on-road numbers) to be met with a seven year warranty.
Overseas, the Tiggo range also includes the Tiggo 2 city-sized SUV, Tiggo 5, which is similar in size to the Omoda 5, and the Tiggo 6 mid-sizer. It seems the rest of the range are unlikely for an Australian arrival.
Chery’s expansion in the coming year or so will also include its Jaecoo sub-brand, and it is looking to introduce plug-in hybrid variants, but is still working through the details.
Its next launch in Australia will be the Omoda E5 - essentially a fully electric version of the Omoda 5 combustion SUV which will compete with the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.
Expect more details on what will be Chery’s most affordable model as we approach its launch window.
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