Latest news with #KP11
The Herald
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Chery plans a bakkie for SA
Chery's new Himla brand made its official debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, marking the automaker's entry into the global bakkie market. The new double cab bakkie, with a name inspired by the Chinese mountain range, is the first in a series of planned new pickups. Compact, mid-size and large-size models with multiple power train options including petrol, diesel and fully electric variants can be expected, offering versatility for commercial, utility and family work and leisure applications. Sparse technical details notwithstanding, we bagged first drive impressions of Himla pre-production prototypes on a test track designed to showcase Chery's ability to stitch together a workhorse. The Himla — code-named KP11 — has the hallmarks of a compact to mid-size offering that's not nearly as long or wide as SA's typical bakkie alternatives from Toyota, Ford, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. This is why it isn't destined for SA. Sales will be in left-hand drive markets exclusively. It's the longer and wider KP31 design study, which may use a different name from the Himla, that is earmarked for entry into SA and other right-hand drive markets. Engine choices are said to be petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The design with its retro-inspired frontal styling is more lifestyle orientated and aimed at rivals such as the newly launched BYD Shark and the Kia Tasman. Expressive styling meets workhouse functionality and it's a work in progress the company hopes to bring to market by 2027. Initial driving impressions of the Himla are of a good-looking and neatly styled bakkie with a large black grille embossed with the Chery nameplate. Typical bakkie accoutrements include a rear roll bar and a sidestep for entering the cargo bay. The cabin is snug and accommodates four to five passengers in a modern-looking atmosphere of minimalism with a sizeable and colourful main display screen taking the central role. The driver gets a small, letterbox-sized information binnacle. The textures and build quality are satisfactory and the drive experience on a bumpy track revealed relative comfort with no evidence of rattles. Features are not finalised but a rear parking camera, smartphone integration, air conditioning and more were present, satisfying modern expectations. The Himla power train choice on the day was the 2.0 l four-cylinder turbodiesel mated to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The motor was decently powered and the self-shifter was faultless. Chery says the range will be equipped with a list of active safety systems. With bakkies having evolved beyond their workhorse roles, becoming more versatile and better suited to lifestyle uses, Chery SA national marketing manager Verene Petersen said: 'Himla is our way of expanding into a segment that is both competitive and full of potential. 'SA is a standout market for bakkies. 'While we continue to evaluate opportunities in key markets, our focus with Himla is on building a product that speaks to global needs and local preferences alike.'
The Citizen
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: Why South Africa must wait longer for the Chery bakkie
The first bakkie from Chery in South Africa might not even wear the Himla moniker. The Chery Himla bakkie that was displayed at the Shanghai Auto Show last month. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe The first Chery bakkie will be introduced to South Africa next year, but it won't be the Himla showcased at the Shanghai Auto Show last month. The Chery Himla, internally known as the KP11, is only built in left-hand drive and not meant for export markets. The bakkie destined for Mzansi is the KP31, which is still in development. It is also not a given that the South Africa-bound Chery bakkie will wear the Himla moniker. The name, along with design and specifications still needs to be finalised. Chery bakkie makes Pitstop In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring's Pitstop podcast, we look at the KP31 project. We had the opportunity to sample the KP11 in Wuhu, China last week, and we review our little drive. The Chery Himla we drove was powered by a 2.3 litre turbodiesel engine which power outputs was not revealed. It was hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Chery did say that a 2.5 litre diesel engine is under consideration for the KP31. It has since emerged that the KP31 could feature as many as five powertrain options. ALSO READ: Chery gearing up to take South African bakkie market by storm These include two internal combustion engines; a 2.5 litre turbodiesel producing 140kW/450Nm and a 170kW/378Nm 2.0 litre turbo petrol. New energy options A mild-hybrid option adds electrical assistance to a 2.5 litre oil-burner for a total output of 200kW/600Nm. At the sharp end of the stick there are two plug-in hybrids (PHEV). The one, a 2.5 litre turbodiesel hooked up to battery and electric motor to produce 260kW/680Nm and a petrol version which sees a 2.0 litre turbo mill with an electrical system producing a total of 300kW/620Nm. It is likely that the KP31, for which the name Sahara was been mentioned, will look very different to the Chery Himla. The KP31 will be offered in at least two body styles, a double cab and single cab.
TimesLIVE
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
New Chery bakkie on the cards for South Africa
Chery's new Himla brand made its official debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, marking the carmaker's entry into the global bakkie market. The new double cab bakkie, with a name inspired by the Chinese mountain range, is the first in a series of planned new pickups. Compact, mid-size and large size models with multiple power-train options including petrol, diesel and fully electric variants can be expected, with aims of versatility for commercial, utility and family work and leisure applications. Sparse technical details notwithstanding, we bagged first drive impressions of Himla pre-production prototypes on a test track designed to showcase Chery's ability to stitch together a workhorse. The Himla — code-named KP11 — has the hallmarks of a compact to mid-size offering that's not nearly as long or wide as South Africa's typical bakkie alternatives from Toyota, Ford, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. This is why it isn't destined for South Africa. Sales will be in left-hand drive markets exclusively. It's the longer and wider KP31 design study, and which may use a different name from the Himla, that is earmarked for entry into South Africa and other right-hand drive markets. Engine choices are said to be petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The design study with its retro-inspired frontal styling is more lifestyle orientated and aimed at rivals such as the newly launched BYD Shark and the Kia Tasman. Expressive styling meets with workhouse functionality and it's a work in progress the company hopes to bring to market by 2027.
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Chery gearing up to take South African bakkie market by storm
The Wuhu-based firm's first-ever bakkie will have the option of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Himla emerged this past week at the Shanghai Motor Show after a development run of five years. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Since showcasing its first bakkie, the Himla, at the Shanghai Auto Show last week, it has emerged that Chinese carmaker Chery has embarked on a relentless push in the light commercial vehicle segment. The Wuhu-based firm is set to introduce not only one, but numerous models in South Africa from next year. And it is considering as many as five powertrain options, one of which could rival the BYD Shark as one of the most powerful bakkies in South Africa. Truth from fiction According to Zhang Guibing, president of Chery International, the Chery Himla, internally called the KP11, is unlikely to be one of them as the KP31 is currently being developed for export markets. ALSO READ: Chery Himla revealed as marque's long awaited first bakkie The KP11 is a unibody vehicle, while the KP31 will be a built on a ladder frame chassis with different suspension. This means that The Citizen Motoring's short little drive on a make-shift off-road course in the Himla is nothing to go by. But regardless, it did feel very solid. The KP31 project might not even wear the Himla moniker at all. The name Sahara has been mentioned as a possibility and it is likely feature very different styling to that of the Himla. 'Our initial products were only built in left-hand drive, but from next year we will have them in right-hand drive. From next year we might bring two pick-ups to South Africa,' Guibing told a South African media delegation at Chery HQ at the weekend. Engine options The five powertrains on the table include two internal combustion engines; a 2.5-litre turbodiesel which produces 140kW/450Nm and a 170kW/378Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol. The third is a mild-hybrid which adds electrical assistance to a 2.5-litre oil-burner. It produces 200kW/600Nm. At the top end of the sphere are two plug-in hybrids (PHEV): a 2.5-litre turbodiesel hooked up to battery and electric motor to produce 260kW/680Nm and the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with an electrical system producing 300kW/620Nm. Against the opposition The plug-in hybrid Chery bakkie will be slightly less powerful than the 320kW/650Nm BYD Shark. It will trump the incoming 290kW/670Nm JAC T9 PHEV in terms of power, but will be down on torque. The incoming range-extending electric Riddara RD6 has outputs of 315kW/595Nm. This means that the Chery bakkie, the JAC T9 PHEV, Riddara and BYD Shark will all be more powerful than the Ford Ranger Raptor. Until very recently the 292kW/586Nm Raptor was some distance ahead o f the pack. Chery claims that the KP31, which is set to be between 5 400 mm and 5 450 mm long, will feature space in the rear and more cargo space than the Ranger and Toyota Hilux. The length of its loadbin will be 1 560 mm. ALSO READ: Chery makes its official: Development on first bakkie has started
