Tiggo sports utilities set to sport same drivetrain as a newly-landed Jaecoo.

TWO more models have been confirmed for the Chery range here and both having the same platform and drivetrains that go into a new release from sister brand Jaecoo raises potential for internecine action.

Confirmation of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 medium sports utilities, sister models in five and seven seater formats respectively, is Chery making good on previous promise to deliver cars with its latest plug-in hybrid tech.

That ‘super hybrid’ drivetrain, which marries a 1.5-litre petrol to a beefy electric motor, is also now installing as a drawcard feature element of the J7 from Jaecoo, a brand Chery set up just two years ago.

Data released by Chery NZ today suggests its format has the same kind of battery, a 18kW lithium ion phosphate unit, and will deliver the same range - more than 100km on electric alone, and 1200 kilometres’ combined as the J7 (below).

Those figures are measured by using the NEDC scale, which is considered dubious by NZ authorities, who prefer WLTP. Using the latter, the J7’s EV-pure range drops to 90km.

Jaecoo and Omoda were created by Chery to be its export leaders. Neither sell in China, which is Chery’s primary domain, and both are with an appointed New Zealand distributor.

Chery, on the other hand, will be a factory shop here.

Chery NZ has yet to share pricing of the Tiggo models; it says that will be provided closes to the cars’ on sale, cited for July.

Given it is bent on trying to woo budget-minded buyers, potential for the cars to undercut the $49,990 J7 cannot be discounted.

The Tiggo 7 and 8 have been in production for several years; the versions coming to NZ have latest updates.

Chery NZ’s chief operating officer, Lucas Harris, has promised the drivetrain will set a new benchmark in hybrid performance, efficiency, and safety.

“The launch of our Super Hybrid technology in New Zealand marks a major milestone in Chery’s new energy journey,” he said.

“Kiwi drivers can now experience the next generation of hybrid performance, where innovation meets real-world practicality.”

The Jaeoo also sells in pure petrol formats, for $37,990 in front-drive and $43,990 in all wheel drive, but Chery has made no mention of intent to match those.