The Malaysian automotive market, particularly the already crowded SUV house, is about to get hotter actual quickly. Chinese language carmakers have our market of their sights and are getting ready to take the struggle to B-segment bulk sellers Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross and the Proton X50.
In some ways, the latter – which let’s not neglect, is their peer, simply with a Malaysian badge – confirmed that Malaysians can settle for Chinese language vehicles with trendy design and specs, at decrease than Japanese costs. Nice Wall Motor might be bringing its Haval SUVs in, as previewed eventually week’s Malaysia Autoshow, however Chery is far additional forward of the curve.
The Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Professional might be launching in June/July and each SUVs will debut in CKD kind – yup, no preliminary small CBU batch to ‘check the waters’ however native meeting (at Inokom in Kulim, Kedah) proper from the beginning, with full EVs and plug-in hybrids lined up for the second wave. One other daring transfer is Chery doing Malaysia – a really troublesome market to penetrate – alone and with no native companion. Even the mighty BYD has Sime Darby.
Undecided which is bolder, Chery going it alone in Malaysia or the Omoda 5’s studded nostril, which is one thing you’ll both love or hate. The remainder of the SUV’s physique must be much less divisive. It’s a sculpted form with blacked out rear pillars and a full-width strip for the tail, with Chery spelled out in letters. Very present. Face apart, I see a little bit of Lexus within the Omoda 5, which is not any unhealthy factor. What do you assume?
The Omoda 5’s dashboard is equally on-trend, sporting co-joined screens pioneered by Mercedes-Benz and a excessive centre console. Though it’s properly minimalist, you don’t should dive into the touchscreen for very important controls equivalent to AC features, that are stealthily embedded within the trim.
Chery is probably probably the most international-minded Chinese language OEM, and the Omoda 5 will get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wi-fi too, and your cellphone rests on an angle for straightforward viewing. Talking of telephones, there’s additionally wi-fi charging. Additionally included are a sunroof (guide sunshade) and an eight-speaker Sony sound system. And the way about double-glazed home windows to spice up NVH?
There’s extra, so be part of the complete tour within the video, the place Hafriz Shah additionally praises Chery’s right-hand drive conversion, which is healthier than Geely-Proton’s efforts.
Pop the hood (struts) and also you’ll discover a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 154 hp (115 kW) and 230 Nm of torque, therefore the 230T badge. Drive goes to the entrance wheels through a CVT with 9 digital ratios. We are able to verify that the engine will get Chery’s 10-year/1,000,000-km guarantee, which ought to put to mattress reliability issues.
The place does Chery’s in-house 1.5T stand on paper? The HR-V’s 1.5L VTEC Turbo four-pot makes 181 PS (178 hp) and 240 Nm, whereas the X50’s 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder generates 177 PS (174 hp) and 255 Nm in TGDi kind (Flagship variant) or 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 Nm in PFI guise. The HR-V makes use of a CVT whereas the X50 goes the DCT route. Our man runs an X50 Flagship, so what does he consider the Omoda’s powertrain? Watch the video.
Patrons will get a whole lot of specs and design for the cash, however at what cash? This fully-loaded top-spec model might be priced between the X50 Flagship (RM113,300) and HR-V Turbo V (RM134,800), and we’re anticipating the RRP to be nearer to the Proton than the Honda. Will we see some raised eyebrows? The official launch is simply across the nook now, so keep tuned.
