Chinese car-making giant Chery has revealed its Europe-bound SUV at the Frankfurt motor show.
Called the Exeed TX, is joins the Tiggo Coupé Concept at the show, which shows the brand's second European-focused model. The models are due in hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric (EV) forms.
Chery CEO Anning Chen said: "By the middle of this year we had sold 68,000 plug-in hybrids; by the end of the year we will have sold 80,000 battery powered or plug-in hybrids," he said. "Our plans show that we are prepared to the be the leading OEM where the market requires [this tech] by 2025. The automotive market is changing, customers demand clean, connected and clever products."
The two new SUVs will be the earliest of a family of models to be introduced to the European market. The models will be quickest in plug-in form. Chery claims the PHEV concept model can hit 62mph in 6secs and has a top speed of 124mph. It also quotes a combined fuel economy of 157mpg, according to NEDC tests.
Chery said the battery can be charged to 80% in 30mins and will reach full charge from a domestic 220V supply in four hours - bold claims that would rank the upcoming SUV model alongside electric models from established marques like the Audi e-tron.
Chery's design features typical SUV lines and a streamlined front that's not dissimilar to that of the Land Rover Discovery. The interior gets a high-mounted infotainment screen above climate control switchgear.
The cars are built on what Chery describes as an "all-new, high-quality" platform, although the company doesn’t say whether the cars will be premium offerings that compete with the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC or rivals to more mass-market SUVs such as the Ford Kuga and Vauxhall Grandland X. Crash safety is also highlighted as up to the standards of European manufacturers.
