Is Chery bringing a hybrid Tiggo 7 Pro to PH?

It seems Chery Auto Philippines is planning to expand its electrified lineup in the country, and it’s set to make its official debut (or preview) at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) next month.

Over the weekend, the automaker released a teaser image of an upcoming vehicle that will be revealed at the annual auto show. Based on the picture, it looks like it will be a new variant of the Tiggo 7 Pro. In addition, the teaser comes with a tagline that reads “Revive your passion for the environment” with an emphasis on the letters E and V, as well as the number 7 featured in the background.

While it looks like Chery might be launching an EV version of the Tiggo 7 Pro, it’s looking more like they might reveal the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or mild-hybrid (MHEV) variant of the said crossover. That’s because last year during the Chengdu Auto Show, Chery revealed the Tiggo 7 Plus New Energy.

Not only does it have a slightly different name, but it also has a different look compared to the Tiggo 7 Pro we currently get. It doesn’t come with the signature Sunshine Galaxy grille and instead has a waterfall-style grille. The LED headlights are also different and appear to be derived from the flagship Tiggo 8 Pro. Last but not least, it comes with a flashier set of alloy wheels and a more premium-looking interior to match its more elegant exterior.

But it is perhaps the powertrain that will serve as the most important feature of the upcoming crossover. Should Chery bring the PHEV variant, it will have a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that’s helped along by two electric motors and a 19.27 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It has a combined system output of 326 PS with 545 Nm of torque and is paired to a DHT or Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. If those figures look familiar, that’s because it’s the same powertrain found in the 7-seater Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV.

Another possible powertrain this particular vehicle could have is the mild-hybrid version of the Tiggo 7 Pro. This one also comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder but gets a 48V belt-starter generator (BSG) that replaces the regular alternator. This gives the vehicle a total system output of 155 PS and 250 Nm of torque which translates to an extra 10 PS and an additional 40 Nm of pull. Like the regular Tiggo 7 Pro, it’s mated to a CVT that drives the front wheels.

With this year’s MIAS set to open to the public on April 13, 2023, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Chery Auto Philippines’ plans for next month. Perhaps this could also be the facelifted Tiggo 7 Pro which is already available in Indonesia and comes with a mild-hybrid powertrain.