The Geely E2 may currently wear the crown as South Africa's best-selling electric hatchback, but Chery seems to have just one message "Not for long." The Chinese manufacturer has confirmed the imminent arrival of the all-new Chery Q, a compact electric hatchback that hopes to tempt buyers with sharp styling, everyday practicality and an attractive price tag.
“The Q has been developed to make electric driving a realistic option for more South Africans,” says Verene Petersen, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Chery South Africa.
What powers the Chery Q?
So then, another compact city city runabout that still offers the space, practical range and everyday practicality any buyer would ever want all with the benefit of being electric. Speaking of, Under the skin is a 90 kW electric motor paired with a 42.7 kWh battery, providing a claimed range of up to 400 km on the NEDC cycle.
It already has won stuff??
Before it has even reached South African showrooms, the Q already has silverware to its name. The Chery Q is already a recipient of something called the Red Dot Design award which is one of the most prestigious global design competitions, recognizing excellence in product design, brands, communication design, and forward-looking concepts. This accolade is thanks to the new design language called the “Square-Round Harmony” design which incorporates squared-off proportions with softer, rounded details.
At the front, the traditional grille makes way for a smooth, closed-off panel—a tell-tale sign that there's no combustion engine hiding beneath the bonnet. While Q-shaped LED headlights provide an almost distinctive design feature that we've only ever seen on the KP-31 bakkie that Chery are yet to introduce locally. Each square headlight chamber incorporates a curved lighting element that gives the vehicle what Chery claim is a friendly expression.
As quirky as things get, the Chery on top is that the Q will offered with a six-layer, high-gloss paint finish across the range which is supported by a 10-year anti-fade promise. Depending on the derivative, the Q rides on 16- or 17-inch wheels, while semi-flush door handles, two-tone exterior mirrors and a floating C-pillar add detail to its profile.
How big or small is the Q?
The Chery Q measures 4,195 mm long, 1,811 mm wide and 1,570 mm high. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, it has a 2,700 mm wheelbase, allowing for not only a spacious cabin but an impressive 5.2-metre turning radius intended to make it easy to use in busy urban environments.
Boot capacity starts at 375 litres and expands to 1,450 litres when additional space is required. A 70-litre front trunk provides further storage, supported by several smaller compartments throughout the cabin.
The cabin is said to be spacious
Inside, the Q has a dual-tone dashboard, this houses a 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. The system supports a customisable home screen and gesture controls. Additionally, the cabin also features a big 1.22 m² windscreen that has a 16.8-degree upper field of vision, helping to improve outward visibility for the driver.
The quirky nature of the vehicle trickles into the cabin as can be seen by contrast-colour air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel. Clutter is a thing of the past on your centre console as the Q has a column-mounted gear selector leaving space for storage and wireless phone charging available.
When can you get your hands on one of these?
The Chery Q is touted for arrival in the month of September, with pricing starting at R350 000. Chery has introduced a pre-order package for the Q that includes a seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, a home-charging wallbox and portable charging equipment.
Further information on the Chery Q range, standard specifications and final derivative pricing will be announced closer to its South African launch in early September.