In a showcase on Australian land, Chery took to the stage to display a very unique product that packs an innovation unseen that may very well wash up on our shores sooner rather than later. Well, first, let's address the elephant in the room, which is the fact that this is a Chery bakkie and not a typical SUV like the brand makes, but it also isn't the Himla bakkie, which Chery previously announced would be their first bakkie offering.
This mysterious bakkie concept, which for now is codenamed the KP31, has a segment first-ever 2.5-litre turbodiesel plug-in hybrid powertrain. The KP31 is said to be built on Chery's Kaitan ladder-frame chassis, a platform that has been reimagined to support internal combustion, hybrids, and full electric vehicles.
Some more on the engine unveils that the brand claims that this specific diesel engine is 10% more fuel-efficient than any other regular diesel engine, all the while achieving a 47 percent thermal efficiency, while also reducing vibrations by 30 percent.
Already in the general nature of the Chinese vehicle, which is to achieve great feats out of the gate, we are told that this bakkie will be able to carry a payload of 1,000 kg and a braked towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg, as the brand targets to continue the " market-first" theme. The shown car measures 5,610 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and stands tall at 1,925 mm off the ground.
“The KP31 marks an important step in Chery’s global product expansion strategy. The pick-up segment is a core category in many markets, and this model has been developed to meet the high standards customers expect in terms of durability, versatility and capability,” commented Verene Petersen, National Marketing Manager at Chery South Africa.
The car looks very rugged and off-road inspired, but Chery promises that it has the build to prove it is more than what the eyes can see. The KP31 contains underbody protection, off-road tires, sport bars with compartment housings, integrated recovery points, and a raised air intake as it takes on a boxy appearance to boot.
There seems to be a large focus on usability with the KP31. Chery claims that the rear load bin is designed to maximize usable space with minimal wheel arch intrusion while confirming that the product-ready version of the bakkie will host three locking differentials-one at the front and two at the rear. The car is also set to feature a low-range gearbox, a tight-turn assist function for off-loading maneuvers, and dedicated off-road driving modes.
The production-ready and hopefully by then named KP31 is scheduled to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027 ( the Himla is scheduled to launch earlier) and will debut with a segment-first diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. It seems the Chinese manufacturers are really coming for it all, as another counterpart in the form of Jetour recently announced that there are active plans to also introduce a bakkie into our market. It really does beg the question of whether the legacy brands will fall under any more pressure than they already are?
The recent acquisition of the Rosslyn Plant by Chery locally hasn't had any communication on what it could produce, and so maybe this could be one of the vehicles that stem from it. While we await more communication, what we do know is that from launch, the KP31 will also be available in a petrol hybrid offering.