Chery’s first electric car in South Africa – Pricing revealed

Chery South Africa has announced the arrival of the Q electric hatchback, with prices to rival the country’s cheapest electric vehicles (EVs).

The electric hatch arrives in two derivatives, with prices starting from R349,900, making it one of the most affordable EVs in the local market.

Verene Petersen, National Marketing Manager at Chery South Africa, said that while Chery is well known for its SUVs, and these remain an important part of its business, Chery’s vehicle range is growing.

She added that at the weekend’s Festival of Motoring at Kyalami, South Africans will see the compact EV, a flexible seven-seater and the brand’s first bakkie.

“It is a clear indication of where Chery is heading and the broader choice we intend to offer local customers,” she explained.

Electric powertrain

Both Q derivatives – the Comfort and Elite – are fitted with the same rear-mounted single electric motor.

It produces 90kW and 115Nm, and is powered by a 42.7kWh battery that enables a claimed range of up to 400km on a full charge, thanks to an average energy consumption of 12kWh/100km.

Converting the 400km NEDC figure to the WLTP standard more commonly used in South Africa gives the hatchback a total range of 340km.

Features

As a compact EV which, according to the Chinese auto giant, has been designed for city mobility, the Chery Q measures 4,200mm long and 1,811mm wide for easy manoeuvrability.

It has also been built on Chery’s dedicated T1X 3.0 electric platform, which boasts a 2,700mm wheelbase to provide more cabin space than its exterior dimensions may suggest.

The entry-level model features 16-inch wheels, while the Elite derivative is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels instead.

The rear-mounted motor frees up space for a 70-litre front storage compartment, or “frunk”, alongside 38 storage areas positioned throughout the cabin, and a carrying capacity of up to 1,450 litres with the rear seats folded.

Inside, the Chinese EV has a dual-tone dashboard, contrast-colour air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, as well as a column-mounted gear selector to free up space in the centre console.

Standard on the Comfort variant is a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.8-inch digital driver cluster and an electrically operated tailgate.

The Elite upgrades to a 15.6-inch 2.5K central display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, and Level 2 driver-assistance technology that includes automated parking and a 540-degree camera system.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the new Chery Q is as follows:

• Chery Q Comfort – R349,900
• Chery Q Elite – R389,900

This includes Chery’s extensive 7-year/150,000km vehicle warranty.

Chery Q