Hey folks, if you’ve been keeping an eye on the auto scene, you know tensions between India and China have been easing up a bit lately. That might explain why more Chinese car brands are dipping their toes into the Indian market. Take Chery, for instance – they’re a huge state-backed outfit, fourth biggest in China, and they’ve just filed patents for several models here. The latest one? Their Tiggo 8 SUV. It’s got people talking, so let’s break it down.
Starting with the looks, the Tiggo 8’s design patent shows it’s sticking close to what you see abroad. Up front, there’s this bold octagon-shaped grille paired with sleek LED headlights that have built-in daytime running lights. The sides keep it simple with clean lines, 19-inch wheels, and those pop-out door handles that blend right in. It slopes gently toward the back, where connected taillights and a bit of chrome give it some extra polish. Oh, and that rear spoiler with its brake light adds a sporty touch without going overboard. Globally, you can snag versions like the Pro, Plus, or Max, even hybrids in places like Australia or the UK.
Size-wise, it’s no slouch: about 4.7 meters long, 1.86 meters wide, and 1.75 meters tall, with a 2.71-meter wheelbase. That means plenty of room in its standard five-seat setup – perfect for road trips or hauling the family. But hey, India loves options, so maybe they’ll tweak it for seven seats. No word on that yet.
Under the hood, a 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine pumps out 245 horsepower and 390 Nm of twist, hooked to a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There’s all-wheel drive from ZF, and it sips fuel at around 11.5 km per liter. Pick from six modes – eco for city cruising, sport for fun on the highway, you get the idea.
Inside, it’s loaded: a massive 15.6-inch screen for tunes and nav, a full surround camera, voice controls in multiple languages, a 12-speaker setup, mood lighting, and fast wireless charging. Safety’s a big deal too – nine airbags, a dash cam, and 19 advanced driver aids like blind-spot alerts, auto braking, and adaptive cruise. It even scored four stars in Euro NCAP tests.
Chery’s got a bunch of patents lined up in India now, but no launch date’s out. If it hits shelves, expect it around 30 lakh rupees to start, squaring off against the Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Meridian, or Tata Harrier. Fingers crossed – this could shake things up for spacious SUVs here.