Chery’s next flagship SUV sheds camo

A non-cladded prototype of what looked like the Chery Tiggo 9 has been spotted in China recently, with the social media users spreading the photos like wildfire, pointing out similarities with the Range Rover Velar.

The front fascia is in line with other recent releases by Chery, complete with a large radiator grille and trademark vertical inserts in the bumper. The outlines are largely created by straight lines running alongside the body and slightly converging towards the rear end, without any creases or sculpted bits.

The profile of the car resembles that of premium SUVs made in Great Britain. Chery has a joint enterprise with Jaguar Land Rover in China where the companies collaborate in engineering and tech departments, so it is not really surprising.

Coming in at 4.8 meters long, the vehicle has 2.8 meters of space between the axles, which enables it to have three seat rows. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 254 PS (250 hp / 186 kW). The transmission is a DCT, but a more conventional automatic design will join the lineup in the future, too.

Earlier spy photos revealed the interior of the Tiggo 9 as well. There was a broad center tunnel with a box for miscellanea, large edgy air vents, and a big dual display unit. The premiere had originally been scheduled for the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 18, but the show was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak and Chery never announced a new date.