MIAS 2022: Tiggo 8 Pro is Chery's new flagship SUV

Chery Auto Philippines (CAP) has just launched its most high-tech and fully-loaded SUV to date. Say hello to the 2022 Tiggo 8 Pro, and it now serves as the company's flagship model in the country.

Also called the Tiggo 8 Plus in its home market, this 7-seater is Chery's idea of a tour de force. With an emphasis on technology, Chery's new top-of-the-line SUV is punching above its weight when it comes to features and amenities.

But first, let's talk about its design. Unlike the regular Tiggo 8, the Pro version looks more sophisticated and upmarket. It gets the distinct 'Galaxy Sunshine' grille first seen on the Tiggo 7 Pro and is flanked by a pair of sleek LED headlights.

Along the side, it gets metal accents on the windows and doors which give it a more premium finish. It even comes with stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, a sloping roofline, and a distinct character line on the rear quarters. Finally, the rear is fitted with unique LED taillights and a diffuser on the rear bumper.

Size-wise, the Tiggo 8 Pro measures 4722mm long, 1860mm wide, and 1745mm tall. It also has a generous wheelbase that comes in at 2710mm. Side-by-side with the standard Tiggo 8, the Pro version is 22mm longer, 2mm wider, and 1mm taller. Wheelbase, on the other hand, remains the same.

Pop the doors open, and you greeted by high-quality leather and multiple displays. In front of the driver's seat is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Not only can it show the speedometer and tachometer, but it can also show the media display, navigation system, multi-info panel, and other key features.

Placed at the center of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It comes with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, intelligent voice control, and an 8-speaker sound system. Charging mobile phones can also be done wirelessly via a charging pad on the center console.

Speaking of the center console, there's also another screen that's conveniently placed on the center console. It manages the vehicle's onboard dual-zone automatic climate control system and even serves to control the heated/cooled seats. Also, don't expect to find a traditional gear selector as the Tiggo 8 Pro only comes with an electro-mechanical unit.

Other notable amenities present inside the flagship Chery SUV include a black-brown interior, multi-color ambient lighting, USB charging ports for the front and rear, A/C vents for second and third-rows, power-adjustable front seats, panoramic sunroof, automatic headlights, and a cooled glovebox.

At the heart of the 2022 Tiggo 8 Pro is not a turbocharged 1.5L engine. Instead, it now comes with a (slightly) bigger 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It develops 183 PS with 275 Nm of torque and is connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (wet clutch).

In terms of safety, the Tiggo 8 Pro comes with an extensive list. Aside from the usual anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and brake assist, it gets traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start-assist, hill-descent control, tire pressure monitoring, 360-degree camera, and rear parking sensors.

It also comes with intelligent driver aids like blind-spot detection, front collision warning, rear-cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Tiggo 8 Pro will retail for PHP 1,648,000. And for interested buyers, the SUV is on display at the Manila International Auto Show from April 7 to April 10, 2022.