JOHANNESBURG – Chery’s upcoming plug-in hybrid SUVs have proven their stamina after two South African motoring journalists drove them more than 1,200 kilometres on a single tank of fuel.
The endurance run, arranged by Chery South Africa and reported by TopGear SA, was designed to test the fuel claims of the Tiggo 9 PHEV and Tiggo 7 PHEV on a real journey from Johannesburg to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa.
Lerato Matebese took the wheel of the bigger Tiggo 9 PHEV in Midrand, filling its 70-litre tank before setting off. The SUV combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 34.6kWh battery. After battling heavy traffic, fatigue and long stretches of road, the vehicle eventually coasted to a halt near Cape Agulhas. The odometer read 1,374 kilometres, which was 24km further than Chery’s official claim.
In Bloemfontein, Ntsako Mthethwa started his leg of the test in the Tiggo 7 PHEV. With a 60-litre tank and a claimed range of 1,200km, the smaller SUV managed 1,290km before finally running out.
Both tests showed that Chery’s new hybrids can deliver long-distance efficiency while offering modern features such as spacious cabins, panoramic sunroofs and smooth handling. The results also suggest that hybrids may offer a practical solution in southern Africa, where EV charging networks are still limited and motorists often travel vast distances.
In Eswatini, the models will be introduced through Stucky Motors, the flagship Chery dealer in the Kingdom, giving local drivers the chance to put the brand’s fuel-saving technology to the test on familiar roads.
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