Chery has launched its new electric vehicle, the Q, in the South African market with a starting price of R350,000. This compact electric car was primarily designed for urban use, combining a 90 kW electric motor and a 42.7 kWh battery. According to stated data, it is capable of traveling up to 400 km on the NEDC cycle.
Representatives from Chery South Africa note that the goal of creating the Q is to make electric mobility more accessible to local drivers while providing the practicality expected of a daily transport vehicle. Wren Petersen, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Chery South Africa, emphasized that the Q is designed to make electric driving a realistic option for a larger number of South African residents.
She added that the compact dimensions make the car ideal for the city, yet it retains the necessary volume, range, and everyday practicality that buyers expect from their primary transport. The starting price of R350,000, she said, marks an important step towards increasing the accessibility of electric mobility locally.
Designed for confined spaces
The Q's minimum turning radius is 5.225 meters, which, according to Chery, helps the car maneuver more easily on narrow streets, during turns, and when parking. The car is equipped with an intelligent C-EPS steering effort control system. At low speeds, the steering feels lighter, facilitating parking and complex maneuvers; however, the steering effort increases at higher speeds.
For city drivers, this combination is intended to reduce the physical effort required for daily turns and parking. The Chery Q uses rear-wheel drive and independent suspension, optimized for urban driving.
Practical storage
The car offers 375 liters of trunk space, which can be expanded to 1,450 liters if additional volume is needed. Additionally, there is a 70-liter front trunk (frunk) and smaller storage compartments located throughout the cabin. The car's design, with wheels positioned at the corners and short overhangs at the front and rear, contributes to efficient cabin layout and overall stance. Depending on the modification, it can be fitted with 16 or 17-inch wheels.
The exterior design of the Q is complemented by semi-recessed door handles, two-tone side mirrors, and a floating rear spoiler. Chery's style philosophy for the Q is called 'Harmony of Square and Circle,' which combines angular proportions with rounded details. The closed grille reflects the presence of an electric powertrain, and the Q-shaped LED headlights give the car a recognizable visual feature; each LED camera includes a curved light element. The design has also received the Red Dot Product Design Award. The entire line is available in a high-gloss six-layer paint finish, accompanied by a ten-year anti-fading warranty.
Tech-focused cabin
Inside the Q, there is a two-tone dashboard, contrasting air vents, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The column shifter frees up space on the center console, creating additional storage space underneath. The dashboard features an 8.8-inch digital display next to a 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen, which runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. The infotainment system supports a customizable home screen and gesture control.
Furthermore, Chery notes that the windshield has an area of 1.22 square meters, and the upper viewing angle is 16.8 degrees, which improves visibility in traffic and tight conditions. The Elite modification is equipped with driver assistance systems and automatic parking aimed at simplifying urban driving and parking.
