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By Charl Bosch

Motoring Journalist


Power turned-up as Chery prices boosted Tiggo 7 Pro Max

Max becomes the first Chery model to offer all-wheel-drive in South Africa.


Less than two months after making its first South African showing at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring, Chery has confirmed price and specification details of the powered-up Tiggo 7 Pro Max.

What has changed?

Joining the facelift Tiggo 8 Pro Max that until now had been the sole Max-badged model, the new flagship Tiggo 7 not only receives a completely different drivetrain from regular Pro, but also subtle changes inside and out.

The first all-wheel-drive Chery to be offered in South Africa ahead of the all-paw gripping Tiggo 8 Pro Max’s debut at the end of the year, the Max’s aesthetics tweaks comprise a new front bumper with gloss black and chrome detailing, a new diamond-pattern grille and sealed intakes on the flanks of the bumper furnished with blue accents.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Boosted Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max debuts at Kyalami Festival of Motoring

Riding on model specific 18-inch alloy wheels or 19-inches in the case of the all-wheel-drive, Chery has gone further by giving the Tiggo 7 Max a new LED headlight design not offered on the Tiggo 7 Pro, while also adding a standard electric tailgate, Max badging and a new indicator animation.

Chery confirms pricing of Tiggo 7 Pro Max in South Africa
Two-wheel-drive models ride on 18-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel-drive versions receive 19-inch wheels. Image: Chery

Inside, the equally extensive changes comprise a new steering wheel, the dashboard from the Tiggo 8 Pro Max and a brand-new dual 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.

Similar to its senior sibling, the Max takes leaves of the Audi-style climate control panel as a result of the new centre console housing the mousepad-like gear lever, a rotary dial for the new drive mode selector and physical switchgear.

Spec

On the specification front, the Distinction and Executive trim level denominators from the Tiggo 7 Pro have both been carried, albeit in a three model execution as only the latter receives the option of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive setup.

The respective features list from the Tiggo 7 Pro is, therefore almost identical, meaning the Distinction boasts dual-zone climate control with rear vents, charger, ambient lighting, the dual infotainment system and instrument cluster, cruise control and push-button start as well as:

  • sport seats with electrical assistance for the driver’s chair;
  • cruise control;
  • rear parking sensors with a reverse camera;
  • tyre pressure monitor;
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert;
  • Hill Start Assist; and
  • Blind Spot Detection.
Chery confirms pricing of Tiggo 7 Pro Max in South Africa
Interior has received significant changes with the inclusion of the new dual 12.3-inch infotainment system and instrument cluster. Image: Chery

Compared to the Tiggo 7 Pro though, both Max model get an eight as opposed to six airbags, an upgraded 50-watt wireless smartphone charger, N95 air filtration and two addition speakers on the Sony sound system for a total of eight.

Building on the Distinction, the Executive carries over the panoramic sunroof and electric passenger’s side, as well as the following safety and driver assistance systems;

  • Forward Collion Warning;
  • Adaptive Cruise Control;
  • Lane Change Assist;
  • Autonomous Emergency Braking;
  • Driver Attention Alert;
  • 360-degree surround-view camera system; and
  • Lane Departure Warning.

That punch

As indicated, the Tiggo 7 Pro Max reserves the biggest alteration from the Pro for underneath its bonnet where the 1.5 T-GDI engine as been replaced by the 1.6 T-GDI from the Tiggo 8 Pro.

This means an increase in power from 108 kW to 145 kW together with a torque hike from 210 Nm to 290 Nm. Also gone is the CVT replaced by a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

While no performance or fuel consumption figures were divulged, the inclusion of the all-wheel-drive has resulted in three additional settings for the mentioned drive mode selector, namely Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud and Off-Road.

Colours and price

In total, the Tiggo 7 Pro Max can be finished in a total of seven mono-tone colour; silver, Caledon Ash, Khaki White, Blood Red, Vanilla Blue and Carbon Crystel Black, or two dual-tone options contrasted with a Carbon Crystal Black roof; Khaki White and Blood Red.

Taking-up station above the Tiggo 7 Pro, all three Tiggo 7 Pro Max model’s sticker prices include a five-year/150 000 km warranty, a five-year/60 000 km service plan and Chery’s ground-breaking ten-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty.

  • Tiggo 7 Pro Distinction CVT – R442 900
  • Tiggo 7 Pro Executive CVT – R477 900
  • Tiggo 7 Pro Max Distinction DCT – R529 900
  • Tiggo 7 Pro Max Executive DCT – R559 900
  • Tiggo 7 Pro Max Executive DCT AWD – R609 900

NOW READ: WATCH: SA-bound Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max revealed in Shanghai

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