New information has entered the public arena regarding Chery’s first-ever bakkie, which is expected to make its international debut in 2025.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the Chinese automaker is working on a new midsize pickup truck that will compete alongside established favourites like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Isuzu D-Max.
Very few details were available with the initial revelation, but new tidbits have since emerged painting a picture of what motorists are in for when the utilitarian Chery finally goes on sale.
Big plans for the bakkie world
The new bakkie, which has yet to receive its name, is being developed by Karry, one of Chery’s many sub-brands.
Unlike other nameplates like Omoda, Exeed, or Jaecoo, which are all focused on upmarket crossovers and SUVs, Karry is the manufacturer’s primary commercial division responsible for things like delivery vans tailored to the Chinese market.
This newest project will be the brand’s first vehicle to be launched outside of China, but it will not use the Karry moniker when it arrives in other countries.
Chery previously confirmed to TopAuto that it is bringing more of its brands to South Africa, but that its various models will fall under one of its three existing stables – Chery, Jaecoo, and Omoda.
Australia is reportedly using the Chery badge, so it’s reasonable to assume that the same will apply here, especially since a bakkie doesn’t fit with the urban-SUV theme of the other nameplates.
It’s important to note, however, that this vehicle has yet to be officially confirmed for our market, though given the carmaker’s incredible success in South Africa in a short timeframe, it seems unlikely that it would pass up an opportunity to jump into one of the most popular segments.
Chery double-cab bakkie render. Source: Carscoops
As for the bakkie itself, it will feature a variety of powertrains including internal-combustion engines (ICE), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and battery-electric (BEV) options, according to Motor1.com.
The BEV option is particularly interesting, as it is likely to be a rival to the upcoming all-electric BYD Shark, which is looking very likely to come to South Africa.
The company has yet to provide a breakdown of each drivetrain, but the expectation is that the bakkie will source its powerplants from other vehicles in the Chery family.
The PHEV, for example, may be the same as the ones found in the Jaecoo J7 and J8, which pair a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plant with one or two electric motors.
The single e-motor setup generates 255kW and 525Nm, while the twin-motor has an enormous output of 445kW and 912Nm, both outpacing what most other bakkies on the local market are currently capable of.
The electric iCar 03 is coming to South Africa, and its powertrain could be used on the battery-powered bakkie as well.
Similarly, the BEV could get its drivetrain from iCar (Chery’s all-electric brand), whose 03 SUV has single and dual-motor options pumping out 135kW and 220Nm, or 205kW and 385Nm, respectively.
Batteries on the 03 start with a 50.63kWh cell good for 400km, which can be upgraded to a mid-tier 66kWh cell with 472km, or a top-spec 70kWh unit with a maximum range of 500km.
As for the ICE units, these are likely to be sourced from Chery’s Tiggo Pro series, with one prominent option being the 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine found in the Tiggo 8 Pro Max that puts out 187kW and 390Nm.
This also raises an interesting question as to whether the automaker may choose to introduce a Max variant of the pickup with extra features, signature cosmetics, and a more powerful engine, as these derivatives have been a big hit with the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 in South Africa.
The bakkie is also getting double-cab, single-cab, and extended-cab variants, making it one of only four models in South Africa to offer an extended cab alongside the Hilux, Ranger, and D-Max – if and when it arrives here.
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