Cherry Tiggo
Tinashe Makichi Motoring Reporter
The Zimbabwe local vehicle assembly industry is now showing signs of revival judging from the efforts exhibited by Quest Motors in assembling vehicles which are fast proving their mettle on the local front.
The local vehicle company recently launched its flamboyant Chery Tiggo which has started to register its presence in different Government arms and parastatals.
Chery Tiggo is assembled by Quest at its Mutare manufacturing plant.
The Buy Zimbabwe campaign is on the verge of realising its results as vehicles branded “Made in Zimbabwe” have started to hit the market. This also comes as all ministries are now required to purchase 80 percent of their vehicles from local manufacturers.
General manager of Motor City Holding Dr Bijan Majidi, last year said, “The new Tiggo integrates the strengths of SUVs, Sedans, and MPVs. It adopts the sedan’s energy-saving performance, comfort, and manoeuvrability; introduces the SUV’s high reliability, all terrain adaptability, and finally, it integrates MPV’s flexibility and spaciousness, all combined with superior engine, AC and active safety technology and performance,”
The Chery Tiggo comes fully equipped with radio player and a 6-CD memory as well as front and rear speakers.
The vehicle comes standard with transponder key technology, air-conditioning and leatherette interior for ultimate comfort while the ergonomic layout of the dashboard controls maintains the overall style, while adding convenience.
Chery Tiggo comes complete with the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, large front and rear disk brakes
The Quest Motor assembled Chery Tiggo has an all metal integral body expertly crafted to international specifications from high-strength galvanising steel with collision force-absorbing areas. The vehicle is also fitted with dual front airbags and side impact protection bars.
Chery Tiggo is equipped with a prominent 2,0 litre, 4-cylinder engine, which delivers a maximum power output of 137HP.
This inline 4-cylinder DOHC, 16V Multi-Point Electronic Injection gasoline engine has been jointly developed by Chery and AVL.
The vehicle’s engine delivers high efficiency, high torque, low fuel consumption, low emission and low maintenance cost.
The front of the car features a sleek and rounded design, an unsophisticated and decent air inlet grille, embellished with a chrome-plated ornament stripe and LED Daytime Running Lights contributing to the sedan’s charisma.
Needless to say, the large shock-absorbent collapsible bumper can efficiently absorb and buffer collisions as well as enhance driving safety.
Chery Tiggo’s storage space can hit 790L on double folding the seats and meets diversified storage demands. Besides, the height of the Chery Tiggo’s luggage board can be adjusted up and down according to the customer’s needs.
The 3-spoke sporty steering wheel can be adjusted to meet different driving demands and the steering wheel has audio control buttons, cruise control and an SRS airbag.
The white round panel plus blue instrument lighting is dynamic and fashionable. Also, on the instrument panel there is electronic display of the fuel consumption.
The air-condition control button is uniquely designed, and it triggers the central console while facilitating adjustment.
The vehicle adopts international popular black colour in the interiors, in addition to its silvery central console ornaments, chrome-plated steering wheel logo, gearshift, and handbrake, exhibiting the vehicle’s high-grade quality.
Quest currently holds the franchise for BMW, Chery, Foton, JMC, Mitsubishi, Peugeot vehicles and ZhongTong Buses.
In as much as we applaud Quest Motors of its initiative of assembling vehicles in the country, locals have been crying foul because of the prices of the vehicle which costs $24 500.