Chery Auto Philippines is pinning its hopes on the all-new Tiggo 8 Pro to further push its relentless marketing drive in the local market and looks like the 7-seater midsize SUV is the right model to draw the attention the brand deserves.
After a very successful launch at the Manila International Auto Show last month, Chery Auto Philippines/United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI) gave the motoring media the chance to feel and discover the Tiggo 8 Pro’s capabilities in a test drive from Subic Bay all the way to Mount Samat and back.
The route was chosen to show the model’s handling and performance in real road conditions and the twisty roads going up Mount Samat became the proving grounds for the participants to evaluate the three different variants of the Tiggo 8 Pro. The Tiggo 8 Pro comes in three different variants, the 1.6T, 2.0 and PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). It is the brand’s top nameplate and for now, only the 1.6T and PHEV variants will be available in the PH market and is priced at P1.645m and P2.4m respectively. The inventory for the PHEV variant should be available soon on select Chery dealerships while the 1.6T is already available in all its dealers.
Given The Most Innovative Car Award by the China Media Group in its home market in 2020, the Tiggo 8 Pro is going to give its rivals in the same segment with its features.
“We are excited to unveil our brilliant, new flagship in the all-new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. With its luxurious styling and features, we expect it to surprise and delight Filipinos longing for the design and technology found in high-end luxury SUVs, but at a much more affordable price point,” says Chery Auto Philippines/UAAGI President Erroll Dueñas.
The all-new Tiggo 8 Pro’s European-inspired Diamond Galaxy grille design as what Chery calls it, bears a familial resemblance to the Tiggo 7 Pro and there are subtle differences in between the variants’ lower fascia albeit similar positioning of its all LED fog lamps and daytime running lights (DRLs) for maximum road illumination. It’s accented with silver-chrome trims on the doors, windows and roof rails which worked very well visually. From the rear, it has a nice pair of LED taillamps, integrated silver-chrome-tipped dual tailpipes and Chery added a rear spoiler, giving it a bit of an aggressive and performance-oriented vibe to all the variants. These are fitted with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with comfort-oriented 235/55R18 size tires which gives it a good balance of ride comfort and grip to match all the three variant’s power.
Inside, the all-new Tiggo 8 Pro’s well-appointed interior comes in either two-tone brown-and-black and all-black leather interior depending on the variant. Cabin fit and finish and overall look has been a massive upgrade in style and quality for the brand, befitting its flagship stature, with a lot of soft and padded touch points and diamond pattern stitching usually found in higher segment brands. The Apple CarPlay-enabled 12.3-inch touchscreen comes with 8 speakers, wireless smartphone charging, and 3 USB ports and is integrated with a fully digital 7-inch instrument cluster further added to the luxury vibe of the car. The front row comes with a pair of very comfortable 6-way power-adjustable seats and has a fairly flat flooring for added legroom and comfort. Its programmable multi-color cabin ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, and touch screen AC controls offer lots of values to this competitively priced 7-seater.
The 1.6-liter variant is powered by a new-generation turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (TGDI) DOHC 16-valve Euro 5-compliant 4-cylinder engine that develops over 195 hp and 290 Nm of torque with a widen bandwidth from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm and is paired with a new 7-speed automatic dual-clutch (wet clutch) transmission (DCT).
Adding to the list of goodies is the Tiggo 8 Pro’s extensive suite of safety features including Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electronic Stability Program, Traction Control System, Hill Assist Control, Hill Descent Control, Front Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and ISOFIX child-seat tethers. More safety features like the Brake Override System, which automatically overrides the throttle when the gas and brake pedals are accidentally depressed at the same time gives the owners of the Tiggo 8 Pro more reasons to consider this model. Speaking of safety, the Philippine spec Tiggo Pro 8 1.6T variant has the full set of Advance Driving Assistance System (ADAS) with 11 functions including – Blind Spot Detection, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Door Opening Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Integrated Cruise Assist, Intelligent High-Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning, and Speed Limit Sign Recognition.
The future looks great for the Chery brand. The Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6 and 2.0 variants are backed up by an industry-leading Chery Premium Preserv warranty suite that offers a 10-year/1 million-km engine warranty, a 5-year/150,000-km general vehicle warranty, and comes with a free 3-year preventive maintenance service (PMS) every 10,000kms or once a year (whichever comes first), and 3-year roadside assistance.
For more info, follow Chery Auto Philippines on their social media: Chery Auto Philippines (Facebook) and @cheryautophilippines (Instagram). You can also call the 24/7 Chery Auto Philippines hotline at (0917) 552 4379 or email chery@uaagi.com for more inquiries and test drive requests.
