After Chinese vehicle creator Chery took the wraps off its revised third-generation Tiggo 4 compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV May 11 in Chongqing, we watched it immediately become apparent how many new design features this latest model have–in a word far more than initially imagined!For example a ever-changing nomenclature could signal attribute changes or avoiding forced connotations is only half the battle; Once image is set globally and yet retains local elements in striving for international significance.
The groundwork had been laid for this major refresh; Chery is developing itsInternational layout and would need it pretty soon after all to continue swallowing up markets for compact SUVs in recent years from China.
(This partial translation uses the author’s attempted linguistically equivalent sentences.)
But no longer is it simply an ironed-out old car; A multi-faceted campaign that reflects the eagerness of modern enterprises in China to forget past manufacturing reincarnations.
Chery’s best design reflects the accumulation of experience based on good reasons for customers.
Its latest Tiggo 4 incarnation embodies this.
Design Language: Tough and Among the First in the WorldThe first thing that strikes the eye about the modified Tiggo 4 is its greatly updated exterior design.
Gone is the conservative styling of the previous model but was replaced by a confident and modern look reflecting current global tendencies in design without sacrificing its own characteristics.
The new front grille, meanwhile, wears more ornate detailing and has a wider mouth as well as slimmer headlights featuring LED technology which stands out clearly within them during dark hours–good for safety-conscious drivers.
After this adjustment to the front lighting array, the SUV is endowed with a more technical and sophisticated overall appearance; it looks as iflivestock guardian dog-sophisticated as the Astons and Listers would borrow such technology straightaway without any snobbery at all.
New alloy designs ranging across 17 to 18 inches respectively complement these refreshed stylings. Depending on what type of trim level you select, various finishes are possible in each case.
At its rear, the updated Tiggo 4 features re-profiled LED taillights connected by light strips that span all across its tailgate a configuration grown increasingly popular among premium brands and that now works its way into mainstream offerings.
At night, this lighting signature gives the car an even more substantial and contemporary feel, its regularly illuminated elements serving as a special visual sign.
Bumpers, both in front and at the rear, have been completely redesigned. The vehicle’s enhanced detailing suggests a sportier image without becoming overly aggressive or boy-racer in appearance.
The company’s designers have clearly aimed to create a broader design that finds a balance between today’s styling trends and our car styling tradition.
Inside the Cabin: Technology and Comfort Are Prominent
Stepping inside the refreshed model reveals where Chery has put a lot of its attention — the interior environment has taken significant upgrades that are designed to increase both functionality and perceived quality.
The new layout of the dashboard is built around a new dual-screen layout that combines a digital instrument cluster and a larger central touch-sensitive screen, giving the driver an almost cockpitlike feel–and one that feels much more luxurious than with the last generation, too.
The feel of the materials has also taken a noticeable step up, with soft-touch surfaces at key locations, and more carefully considered combinations of color and texture that create a more integrated environment in general.
The latest user options for upholstery include new synthetic leather with a more complex set of patterns stitching, adding interest without being garish or overdone.
Ambient lighting now covers not only the dashboard, but also extends to door panels; offering users selectable colors to customize whichever mood one wishes to evoke inside the cabin.
The improved climate control system now features a more streamlined interface with touch-sensitive controls that cut down on button clutter but maintain ease of use – this is a balance that many manufacturers struggle to strike.
With more cushioning in the rear seats for passengers, slightly more space for legroom thanks to those sculped front seat backs up front. USB charging ports that cater to never-ending request for device connectivity.
The back seats fold in a 60/40 split, leaving room for larger items when needed so that luggage space remains competitive in comparison with other same sized cars.
Chery Adds Broader Brand Strategy New Car Name
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of today’s release is not the car itself but its name.
While the company has kept details somewhat hidden from public view, those close to industry suggest that rather than just softening up their message for the upcoming marketing campaign this move is part of a wider repositioning Chery brand globally.
The new name structure is expected to improve differentiation between Chery’s different product lines and could also see sub-brands created to target specific market segments or consumer groups.
For Chery’s dealers and clients, recalibrating the name plate gives it a chance to shed some associations of failure. It may also nudge image positioning slightly upmarket.
Homework is required to solve more than just how to buy these junkyard trees, but there is still little doubt that the future will recur with increased plasticity and clarity. (It’s a mess!)
In addition to a new badge, the updated model will benefit from Chery’s latest powertrain developments, such as refined versions of its turbocharged engines and possibly mild hybrid technology for selected markets where emissions standards are tightening (such as Europe or China).
Transmission choices will include both the familiar dual clutch automatic and a continuously variable version, each calibrated to give the best combination of performance with fuel economy.
With significant changes, too, comes extra levels of safety provisions for all consumption levels: driver-assistance features that we once considered high-end are now included at most trim levels, such as lane-keeping help, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control for costlier versions.
Chery’s ongoing aggressive international strategy will give the refreshed compact SUV with a slightly reworked design and new name a pivotal role in moulding consumer attitudes and establishing the marque in countries where it is now seeking growth.
The updated model represents an increasingly attractive alternative to the established players dominating the compact SUV segment, offering competitive features and technology at price points that continue to offer solid value.
The refreshed Chery Tiggo 4, as it is now called, is expected to begin its roll out over coming months to global markets, with specific release dates varying from region to region as production ramps up.
It’s quite clear that this is far more than a cosmetic re-styling–it symbolizes an important step in Chery’s ongoing global strategy and declares to the world that the brand is beginning take on involvement with great self-assuredness.