- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr Ar He
Omoda for the world, FX for Israel
The Chery FX is a compact coupe-like SUV introduced as the Omoda 5 at the fall 2021. In China, sales began in early summer 2022, and it is already reported that Carso Motors has started importing this model to Israel. Our market offers a single front-wheel-drive version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired with a PDK robotic gearbox. Its estimated cost is from 139,990 shekels (fairly competitive price). The stylish SUV is called Omoda in the world and FX in Israel, has a futuristic look and, according to the company, is aimed at Gen Z young people (born since 1997). Most likely, this is only the first sign, in the future larger Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro SUVs will arrive on the Israeli market.
Today, Chery is one of the largest automakers in China. The peculiarity of its models is that almost all the components are in-house production, which allows the company to offer its cars at competitive prices.
Exterior
The Chery FX features a new Art In Motion design concept, developed by Chery employees themselves under the supervision of Steve Hume. The most notable design element is a wide grille without clear boundaries. A grid-shaped trapezium is filled with many rectangles and complexly shaped head optics is ‘embedded’ in it. The compact SUV is 4,400 mm long, 1,830 mm wide and 1,585 mm high. Its wheelbase reaches 2,630 mm. The size of the vehicle is similar to the Chery Tiggo 5, which confirms the index 5 in the title. The dynamic character is underlined by 17 or 18 inch rims.
Steve Hume, an American-Korean, worked at Ford and Hyundai before moving to China. In 2000-2012, he served as an assistant chief designer at the California studio of General Motors, later in China he became the head of SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), and in 2017, he became chief designer of the Chery brand.
Interior and equipment
The vehicle has received a multimedia system with a 10.25-inch screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The digital dashboard has a screen of the same size. According to modern trends, there are almost no physical buttons. But there is a function of facial recognition of the owner, which makes it possible to personalize all the parameters, to control the state of the driver and to assess the situation using artificial intelligence. The compact vehicle offers plenty of space inside. At the same time, a roof slightly reduces rear headroom. Nevertheless, the developers have provided plenty of storage space: double cup holders, a box in the deep armrest. Rear passengers also have an armrest with cup holders and heating/air conditioning outlets. The human-machine connection is important to Chery. And the manufacturer tried to emphasize it when designing the passenger compartment.
The 2022/2023 Chery FX will be offered in three trim levels at prices ranging from 139,900 to 149,900 shekels. The list of standard equipment includes: air conditioning, wireless charging of gadgets, smart key with remote start, light and rain sensors, parking sensors and ADAS security complex, which includes autonomous emergency braking with detection of two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistant, blind spot monitoring system and automatic changeover system from high beam to headlights.
Engines
The Israeli market will offer an SUV equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine of the new Kunpeng series (developed by Chery), capable of producing 186 hp and 282 Nm. The same engine was used by the new 2021 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch robotic gearbox. The model is front-wheel drive, but all suspensions are independent. The maximum speed is 206 km/h, which is quite a lot. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h occurs in 7.8 seconds. On average, one liter of fuel is enough for about 10.9 km.
