Chery has leveraged years of hybrid technology expertise to develop a comprehensive energy matrix covering fuel, hybrid, extended-range, and pure electric systems. In the rapidly expanding hybrid market, Chery’s CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) technology stands out with breakthroughs in efficiency and reliability, delivering extended range, reduced fuel consumption, and robust safety features. As Chery’s flagship model, the Tiggo 8 PHEV redefines accessible luxury and safety with its full-range protection system, making it the ultimate guardian for daily commutes and family adventures.
A fortress of safety: from body structure to battery protection
The body structure serves as the last line of defence for occupant safety. The Tiggo 8 PHEV is engineered to meet global five-star safety standards and has undergone more than 160 crash tests during development. Its cage-style body design ensures exceptional rigidity, with high-strength steel making up 65% of the structure. That includes 20% hot-formed steel concentrated in critical impact zones like the A- and B-pillars, offering a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa.
The front anti-collision beam features an innovative ladder-type aluminium alloy structure and a triple-path crash force distribution system. This allows the vehicle to absorb impact energy through controlled progressive deformation when encountering obstacles. Further enhancing protection is a 10-airbag system, featuring a centre seat airbag and a driver’s knee airbag. Side curtain airbags maintain pressure for up to six seconds, ensuring sustained protection in extreme scenarios – safeguarding every occupant with uncompromising safety.
Chery has addressed the critical issue of battery safety with an exemplary approach. At its core, the Tiggo 8 PHEV’s battery pack – the heart of the system – is shielded by a 0.8 mm-thick ultra-high-strength steel underguard (780 MPa), offering 2.3 times the strength of conventional steel. This robust first layer of defence resists road debris, gravel impacts, and prolonged rough-terrain vibrations. Further reinforced by IP68-rated sealing and an operating range of -35°C to 55°C, the battery system can withstand extreme conditions, ensuring reliable performance for long-distance travel.
“The Tiggo 8 PHEV showcases Chery’s commitment to safety and innovation, with advanced driver assistance systems, a robust body structure, and intelligent protection features that elevate peace of mind on every journey,” commented Verene Petersen, National Marketing Manager for Chery South Africa. “The Tiggo 8 PHEV would be well-suited to the demands of South African consumers and the country’s diverse road network.”
Tiggo 8 PHEV passes extreme strength evaluation
A recent demonstration showcased the Tiggo 8 CSH’s safety performance in a “vehicle stack” test, demonstrating its structural rigidity. Seven examples were stacked vertically into a 12-metre steel structure. The bottom vehicle ensured a load of nearly 11.5 tons, but after 72 hours of pressure testing, the body structure showed no significant deformation, exhibiting its five-star safety excellence.
L2+ advanced driver assistance system: always-on safety
The Tiggo 8 PHEV delivers comprehensive intelligent protection for all driving scenarios, ensuring every journey is safer and more relaxed. Powered by the high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive chip, it achieves an impressive system response time of less than 30 milliseconds, effortlessly processing complex commands without latency. The Tiggo 8 PHEV features an advanced sensor system which includes four 3-megapixel HD cameras and twelve ultrasonic radars, creating a monitoring network with five-metre coverage around the vehicle.
The Tiggo 8 PHEV also boasts an impressive suite of Level 2+ driver assistance functions, with 19 features to keep occupants safe. This includes:
- Driving Assistance
- Rearview Assist
- Parking Assist
- Night Vision Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
During rush hour commutes, the Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) system automatically manages steering and acceleration for intelligent following (0-135 km/h range), relieving drivers from stop-and-go fatigue. For highway journeys, the enhanced Blind Spot Detection (BSD) monitors a three-metre rear zone, working with the Lane Change Assist (LCA) for safer lane transitions. Even on narrow roads, the vehicle’s transparent chassis technology displays real-time road hazards, like manhole covers. Combined with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (RCTB), this creates a comprehensive 360-degree protection system that eliminates blind spots in all driving conditions.
Last year, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max achieved the prestigious five-star safety rating from Australia’s ANCAP. This achievement validates the Tiggo 8 series’s comprehensive safety design and certifies Chery’s commitment to global safety excellence. The Tiggo 8 PHEV redefines vehicle safety through its multi-dimensional protection system, from robust passive safety features to intelligent predictive technologies.
