Chery Ripens

Among Chinese indigenous brands at the Shanghai auto show, Great Wall and Chery run neck and neck in the number of new-model debuts. We think Chery had the edge, though, with such memorable products as the A6CC sport coupe, the Shooting Sport wagon and the Tiggo6 SUV, among others.

Chery's almost limitless ambition to become a major exporter to the Western world led to hot anticipation of its Shanghai show lineup. And the reality lived up to expectations as Chery proved again that it is increasingly a force to be reckoned with.

There were many highlights, notably the neat Bertone-designed A6 and its companion, the A6CC sport coupe, which brought to mind the elegant Pininfarina-designed M14 roadster. One can only hope that at least one sporty model will make it into production. There seems at least to be a fighting chance that the A6CC will make that leap, since Chery described two power options for it: a V6 3.0-liter with variable valve timing and a four-cylinder, turbocharged 2.0-liter variant.

In addition, there was much interest in the Shooting Sport, Chery's take on a sporty wagon in the same style as the Audi A3 Sportback. Another concept was a bigger brother to the Toyota RAV4-like Tiggo SUV. Called the Tiggo6, it paired rugged looks and permanent all-wheel drive. Chery highlighted the fact that among possible powertrain options, its self-developed 1.9-liter diesel has already passed Euro V emission-control regulations.

But that, substantial as it appears, was not all. Chery also unveiled two hybrids, the A3 compact and the A1 minicar, which featured the same combination: a 1.3-liter diesel engine mated with a 30 kW electric motor and a CVT transmission. Company officials remained tight lipped on production possibilities.