Chery has introduced its new Q electric car to the South African market, with pricing starting at R350,000. The compact electric vehicle is designed primarily for urban driving, combining a 90kW electric motor and 42.7kWh battery with a claimed driving range of up to 400km on the NEDC cycle. This makes it an attractive option for city dwellers looking for an eco-friendly and practical vehicle.
The Chery Q has been developed to make electric mobility more accessible to local motorists while offering the practicality expected of an everyday vehicle. According to Verene Petersen, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Chery South Africa, "The Q has been developed to make electric driving a realistic option for more South Africans." The vehicle's compact dimensions make it well suited to the city, but it still offers the space, range and everyday practicality buyers expect from their primary vehicle.
One of the key features of the Chery Q is its agile handling, which makes it ideal for navigating tight city streets and parking spaces. The vehicle has a minimum turning radius of 5.225 metres, which helps it negotiate narrow streets, U-turns and parking areas with less manoeuvring. The Q is also fitted with C-EPS intelligent steering effort adjustment, which provides a lighter steering feel at lower speeds and increases steering effort at higher speeds.
The Chery Q offers a range of practical features, including 375 litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 1,450 litres when additional capacity is required. There is also a 70-litre front trunk (frunk), with smaller storage compartments positioned throughout the cabin. The vehicle's four-wheels-at-the-corners layout and short front and rear overhangs contribute to its interior packaging and stance.
The Q has a distinctive exterior design, which Chery describes as "Square-Round Harmony", combining squared-off proportions with rounded details. At the front, the closed-off grille reflects its electric powertrain, while the Q-shaped LED headlights provide a distinctive visual signature. Each headlight chamber incorporates a curved lighting element, and the design has received a Red Dot Product Design Award.
Inside, the Q features a dual-tone dashboard, contrast-colour air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel. A column-mounted gear selector frees up space on the centre console, creating additional storage below. The dashboard incorporates an 8.8-inch digital instrument display alongside a 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor.
The Chery Q is available in various derivatives, with the Elite derivative adding intelligent driver-assistance and automatic parking systems aimed at making urban driving and parking easier. With its impressive features and competitive pricing, the Q is set to make electric driving accessible to more South Africans.
Key points
- The Chery Q has a starting price of R350,000 and a claimed driving range of up to 400km on the NEDC cycle.
- The vehicle features a 90kW electric motor and 42.7kWh battery.
- The Q has a minimum turning radius of 5.225 metres, making it ideal for navigating tight city streets and parking spaces.
