‘With the Exeed TX is it time to take Chery seriously?’
By the end of the decade – and we can’t yet be more specific than that – there’ll be a new player in the burgeoning family crossover market in the form of the Chery Exeed TX.
If that sounds a bit of a mouthful, then don’t fret – there’s a possibility the name may be at least be tweaked before sales of the Chinese SUV begin, but the Chery name is destined to stay.
Chery? Never heard of it…
Owned by the Chinese state, Chery is probably the biggest car manufacturer you’ve never heard of. In 2016 it produced more than 700,000 cars and has been that nation’s largest car exporter for over 14 years. Not bad for a firm only established in 1997.
What’s significant about the Exeed TX – the first of a family of different-sized SUVs – is that European markets were primarily in mind throughout its development, rather than trying to adapt a Chinese-market crossover for international sale.
This pre-production model doesn’t break any ground stylistically, but mid-sized SUV buyers tend to be a conservative lot by and large, so its Qashqai-aping silhouette is unlikely to scare off potential customers.
Electrification promise
While little is yet known about the conventional petrol and diesel engines likely to power the Exeed TX, Chery has confirmed that when European sales begin ‘within the next few years’ electrification will play a significant part.
And not just with conventional hybrids (HEVs) or plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), but pure electric vehicles (BEVs), too.
Chery has indicated that the PHEV version will feature a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor, enabling up to 40 miles of zero-emission driving.
Despite its claimed greenness, a 0-62mph acceleration time of just 6.0 seconds has been banded about: that’s quicker than many hot hatches.
Contemporary technology expected
Early indications are that Chery intends the Exeed TX to join the marketplace with all manner of kit that European buyers are quickly becoming accustomed too, so expect a raft of features such as internet connectivity and smartphone integration via its Bosch-supplied systems.
Safety will need to be high on Chery’s priorities – the brand claims it will achieve a five-star crash-test rating in the Chinese NCAP programme – so expect LED lighting and a suite of driver-assistance systems to be optional, if not standard equipment.
Specifics such as pricing will be revealed further into the future, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Chery undercuts established European, Japanese and Korean players as a tactic for enticing buyers to the marque.
Similarly, first drives are also some way off, but rest assured Parkers will subject the Chery Exeed TX to a rigorous full review as soon as the opportunity arises.
