Chery Auto adds new models to S.Africa lineup

Shanghai, May 14 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese carmaker Chery Auto is expanding its South African line-up by adding two automatic models to the range, said a Zambian auto website today.

Automatic versions of the QQ3 hatchback and the J5 sedan are the first two of the five new models to be introduced to the South African market this year. All these Chery cars come standard with the Chery three-year/100,000 km warranty.

The entry-level Chery QQ3 0.8 TX hatchback gains a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that allows for semi-automatic/manual and full automatic modes. And switching between the two modes is simple by pressing the "auto" button next to the gear lever.

The three-cylinder 812 cc engine of the Chery QQ3 model is Euro-III compliant and produces 38 kW at 6,000 r/min and 70 Nm of torque between 3,500 and 4,000 r/min.

The automatic version of the Chery J5 sedan uses a 4-speed transmission that drivers can use either in fully automatic mode or by manually selecting gears by moving the gearlever back- or forwards.

The Chery J5 range is powered by a Euro-III compliant 2.0-liter four cylinder engine producing 95 kW at 5 500 r/min and peak torque of 178 Nm at 4 500 r/min.