Chery plans to flood the South African market with the release of nineteen hybrid electric vehicles by the end of the year. Yes, you read that correctly. The Chinese automaker hasn’t yet detailed all 19 cars, but its headliner is its Chery super hybrid (CSH) technology that consumers can find in its upcoming Tiggo 6, 7, and 9 CSH models. All vehicles will be across the hybrid EV (HEV), plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV), and range-extender EV (REEV) subcategories.
Oui, oui, mon Chery
CSH technology is characterised by a fifth-generation hybrid engine with a 44.5% thermal efficiency, a stepless (aka CVT) super electric hybrid DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission) for an acceleration of 0 to 100km/h in 4.26 seconds, and a battery pack rated for temperatures from -35°C to 60°C. The fuel-efficient 2.0 TGDI hybrid engine delivers 290kW of total output.
This culminates in a fuel efficiency of 2l to 3l per 100km/h, according to the company. Chery believes this combination of power and efficiency can make the CSH range a competitive option for hybrid buyers who want maximum versatility. The brand’s Super Hybrid range will come with various platforms, including off-road, super golden extended range, and high-performance electric.
CSH technology was unveiled earlier this month in Wuhu, China. At the launch, company chairman Yin Tongyue extolled the four tenets at the core of the brand’s super hybrid philosophy: eco-friendly R&D, affordability, safety, and a competitive driving range.
Chery also plans to demonstrate CSH technology with a long-distance evaluation. The Tiggo 9 CSH will travel from Wuhan to Wuzhen, more than 1,600km, over four days. The automaker says this will showcase the car’s real-world performance and the extended range of the Super Hybrid tech. Official prices and release dates for the new Tiggos (or the remaining sixteen models) in South Africa are yet to be confirmed.
