All-wheel-drive Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

Chery has introduced a new all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of the Tiggo 8 Pro Max to South Africa which is available immediately from a starting price of R731,900.

Up to this point, the SUV was only sold in front-wheel-drive (FWD) guise, with the introduction of the AWD model bringing the Tiggo 8 Pro range up to three models.

What’s new

The new Tiggo 8 Pro Max AWD features the same 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol power unit as its FWD sibling generating 187kW and 390Nm, which is matched a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Now, however, drive is delivered to all four wheels through a proprietary system that can switch from two- to four-wheel drive in 100 milliseconds.

“The system has a front-wheel-drive bias during normal driving. This benefits the vehicle’s average fuel consumption and everyday driveability, while also offering a familiar driving experience to existing Tiggo 8 Pro Max,” said Chery.

“When drivers shift from everyday commuting to more spirited driving, or find themselves in slippery and wet conditions, the all-wheel-drive system comes into play.”

The innovative AWD setup isn’t the only exclusive trait of the new Tiggo 8 Pro Max compared to the existing one.

It further gets a larger fuel tank of 57 litres – up from 51 litres in the FWD version – for improved driving range, as well as an upgraded suspension setup that was specifically tuned to the AWD powertrain.

It also has a unique drive mode programme that “adapts power delivery and vehicle characteristics to the environment,” said Chery.

As with the FWD Tiggo, standard kit in the new Chery is plentiful and includes two 12.3-inch displays on the dash for the driver and infotainment functions, dual-zone climate control, a fragrance system with three scents, a 10-speaker Sony stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless phone charger.

All seven seats in the SUV are wrapped in quilted leather, and those at the front feature heating and cooling functions as well as electric adjustability.

Additionally, it comes with a variety of assistance and safety technologies namely adaptive cruise control with radar control, lane-keep assistance, emergency lane keeping with lane-departure prevention, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic congestion assistance, intelligent evasion assist, a 360-degree camera system, all-round parking sensors, a driving view recorder, and a smart driver monitor.

Price

The South African pricing and expanded model line-up of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro are as follows:

• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6TGDI 290T Executive – R609,900
• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0TGDI 390T Executive – R669,900
• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0TGDI 390T Executive AWD – R731,900

Each purchase carries a 5-year/150,000km warranty, 7-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance.

A 10-year/1-million-kilometre engine warranty is also included for the original owner of the vehicle.