There’s a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto, not particularly advanced but expect it to be priced keenly. The Tiggo 8 is a family SUV sized vehicle in the vein of the CX-5/Haval H6/Tiguan. Several engines are available (we’ll have to see what we are offered locally) all of which feature petrol and turbocharging. A 1.5-turbopetrol develops 108 kW and 210 Nm, then a 1.6-turbopetrol offers 147 kW and 290 Nm while a 2.0-turbopetrol produces 190 kW and 350 Nm.

The 1.5 makes use of a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox while the other 2 units use a 7-speed dual-clutch ‘box. What will make a difference for Chery, beyond Tiggo? Exeed and Jetour. The names might be odd, but the product is a world beyond Tiggo. While we don’t know the exact product lineup yet, here’s what we know about those 2 cars. Chery’s Exeed is a very convincing crossover, about the size of a Rav4. It uses a platform jointly developed with esteemed Austro-Canadian automotive supplier, Magna, and is powered by a choice of 1.5- or 1.6-litre turbopetrol engines.

The 1.6-litre version is available in all-wheel drive, and with 145 kW and 290 Nm, should make a decent drive, even at Highveld altitudes. Both the front- and all-wheel drive Exeed variants use a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and there is a long-wheelbase option, with third-row seating. The Jetour is a slightly bigger seven-seater, which oddly, is only configured as a front-wheel drive. Despite its size, the Jetour uses a similar range of 1.5- and 1.6-litre turbopetrol engines, although there is the option of a six-speed manual gearbox, on the base version. These new Cherys offer progressive styling, loads of kit and better finish than any Chinese vehicle from a decade ago. The only issue, as is the case with Haval, would be an absence of diesel engine options.