- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr Ar
Chery Arrizo 5 Plus. A little ‘cherry’ with a twist
The Chery Arrizo 5 Plus is a compact sedan manufactured by Chery (China), formerly known as the Arrizo GX (2018-2021) in China and as the Arrizo 6 in the rest of the world. Both models were a continuation of the C-segment compact sedan, the Chery Arrizo 5, introduced in 2015. The car debuted at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show. After a restyling in 2021, it changed its name to Arrizo 5 Plus. Interestingly, the car, as well as the flagship sedan, the Arrizo 8, offers two front faces to choose from. In addition, an original GT sports version is based on this model. A ‘cherry’ with a twist turned out to be… (the name ‘Chery’ is in tune with the English word ‘cherry’).
Chery Arrizo GX
Sales of the sedan in China started in October 2018. In 2019, it was exported to the Middle East and Latin America under the name Chery Arrizo 6. The compact sedan was based on the platform of the Chery Arrizo 5. As a result, the models share the chassis and body structure, but have the original engines and exterior and interior design. The ‘face’ is adorned with a large black X-shaped grille that runs down from the headlights to the lower bumper. The car has LED headlights and fog lights. The trunk lid features a horizontal chrome strip that divides the lights in two. The chrome frames framing the window openings stand out in profile. The drag coefficient was reduced to 0.28.
The interior looks very modern. The Arrizo GX (aka Arrizo 6) features a new 7-inch infotainment system with integrated navigation, 360-degree video cameras and climate control, which is controlled by a second 8-inch touchscreen. There is only a digital dashboard: two dials for a speedometer and a tachometer and a 9-inch screen between them, which displays navigation or the video from a reversing camera.
The engine range initially included a 1.5-liter ACTECO engine with 120 hp and a turbo version with 156 hp. The engines are mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a simulated 9-speed CVT. In 2019, the car received a third 1.6-liter Acteco TGDI turbocharged engine (196 hp), as well as a new Getrag 7-speed dual-clutch robotic gearbox.
Chery Arrizo 5 Plus
The restyled Chery Arrizo 5 Plus was introduced at the Guangzhou Motor Show in November 2020. In China, the updated model is sold very successfully and offered with 1.5-liter naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines with a capacity of 116 and 156 hp, respectively. Both are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. The price in China starts from the level of only 11 thousand dollars.
The main feature of the Chery Arrizo 5 Plus is two exterior options: the first received a trapezoidal grille similar to Hyundai models, while the second received a spindle-shaped grille inspired by the previous Lexus models. They have different front bumpers, but other components are the same. The length of the body has increased to 4,680 mm (by adding 108 mm), the width is the same (1,825 mm), the height has grown to 1,490 mm (+8 mm), the wheelbase has not changed (2,670 mm), while the ground clearance has decreased to 127 mm (minus 2 mm).
It should be noted that the design does not depend on the equipment. The 16 (!) trim levels are strictly divided into two. Notable options for more superior trim levels include LED optics, surround view system, adaptive cruise control, sunroof, automatic climate control and virtual dashboard.
Chery Arrizo 5GT
The Arrizo 5 GT is an elaborated sports version of the Arrizo 5 Plus. The shape of the front optics immediately declares that the character of the car is completely different: the headlights of the GT are narrow, long and predatory. The car refers to the Arrizo Star sports concept car presented at the 2020 Chengdu Motor Show with dimensions of 4,710 × 1,825 × 1,490 mm and with a wheelbase of 2,670 mm.
The sporty Arrizo is designed in the style of Lexus models: it has not only a spindle-shaped grille, but also LED ‘notches’ of navigation lights, characteristic of Japanese cars. Aggressive bumpers, twin round exhaust pipes and 17-inch black wheels with contrasting orange brake calipers complete the expensive look.
The Chinese GT is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine from the new Kunpeng series, producing 197 hp and 290 Nm. It is mated to a 7-speed robotic gearbox with dual wet clutches. The manufacturer claims that the sedan accelerates to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. The premiere of the model is scheduled for April 2022, but the cancellation of the Beijing Motor Show has shifted the launch date.
