Chery Tiggo V Unveiled in Beijing

Have you ever thought to yourself: I wish my SUV had a load bin? or I wish my bakkie had more seats? Well, if you have, Chery has just unveiled a radical new model called the Tiggo V. The shape-shifter was introduced in production form at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show that is currently taking place. The latest addition to the Chery family can transform from seven-seat SUV to double-cab bakkie. Our sources attending the show tell us that the model will go on sale locally in South Africa before the end of 2026.

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Preview

The Tiggo V was showcased in concept form late last year (show car pictured). The concept version was referred to as the T1TP Concept. Mercedes-Benz tried something similar in the mid-1990s, which was called the Vario Research Car. It featured interchangable carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bodies that allowed it to transform from sedan to station wagon to convertible or pickup on the same chassis on the same platform within 15 minutes.

However, the VRC was simply a design study, a ‘what-if’ scenario. Chery designers and engineers have gone a step further and turned its shape-shifting concept into a reality.

What We Know

The Tiggo V was shown in Beijing, but there isn’t much info to go with the images that were released from the show. At the launch event there was talk of PHEV and ICE powertrain options. We don’t have specifics on either. Chery claims 220 mm of ground clearance with over 650 mm of wading depth, regardless of powertrain option. The Tiggo V can also scale gradients of up to 30 degrees.

We do know that the Tiggo V is based on a unibody platform, and not a ladder frame chassis. In regular guise it is a seven-seat SUV, or people carrier. Removal of the detachable rear section transforms it into a bakkie or a load carrier, with multiple seating options. Chery says the Tiggo V can switch between six distinct layouts or configurations. The second row of seats slides by 380 mm, for ease of access to the third row of seats. The cargo bed reportedly features 600 litres of storage space, four tie-down points and adjustable dividers.