- Petrol-only variants join Super Hybrid in Tiggo 8 range.
- Start price for Tiggo 8 range has dropped $9000.
- New models feature 180kW/375Nm turbo engine.
Following its announcement of petrol-only variants of the Tiggo 7 5-seat (yes, that's a slightly confusing model name) SUV, Chery has confirmed its Tiggo 8 7-seater (ditto) is taking a similar path in New Zealand - albeit with an extra dimension.
Joining the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid will be two petrol-only (ICE) versions, in $39,990 Urban and $44,990 Ultimate versions. The Super Hybrid model currently only comes in the Ultimate grade for NZ, for $48,990.
However, while the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid uses a 105kW/210Nm turbo-petrol engine as the base for its hybrid powertrain (also carried over to the Tiggo 7 ICE models), the petrol Tiggo 8 steps up to a 2.0-litre with 180kW/375Nm - Chery's most powerful petrol powerplant.
It's matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and while it remains front-drive for the Urban model, the Tiggo 8 ICE is AWD in Utimate specification.
Rightcar NZ rates the Tiggo 8 AWD at 9.7 litres per 100km. No fuel efficiency figure has yet been published for the Tiggo 8 FWD (Chery uses less-stringent Australian ADR figures in its marketing).
Even the Tiggo 8 Urban has heated/ventilated front seats with synthetic leather upholstery, ambient lighting, 360-degree camera, and an air quality management system.
The Ultimate adds equipment including power tailgate, built-in dashcam, 3rd-row air vents, larger 19-inch wheels, 10-speaker sound system and a panoramic sunroof.
What the Tiggo 8 ICE does lack is the newer-gen interior design that features in the Super Hybrid, with a free-standing 15.6-inch infotainment screen and steering column-mounted gear selector. Insted, it sticks with the dual 12.3in screens (in a single frame) and conventioal transmission lever that's used across the Tiggo 7 lineup for NZ.
