At Chery’s preview event announcing the brand’s official return to Malaysia, the director of Chery Malaysia said that it's the first ASEAN appearance of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro e+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro e+ has a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine supplemented by two electric motors to give a maximum torque of 510 Nm, while power figure was not divulged.

Also read: Not the Eastar you remember, Chery returns to Malaysia with Omoda 5, Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro Max

It adopts what the company calls Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with nine operating modes such as single/dual motor drive, range extension, parallel connection and direct engine drive, as well as 11 gear combinations.

The Tiggo 8 Pro e+ is claimed to achieve 100 km of pure electric (EV) driving range, and fuel consumption figure as low as 1-litre/100 km. 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 7 seconds.

Also read: First look at the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, an X70 rival with a more premium interior

There are a few differences between the regular Tiggo 8 Pro and the PHEV (putting aside that the display car is a left-hand drive unit), like the full-width air vents and dual widescreen displays. There’s also additional knobs and buttons in the centre console for PHEV related functions.

Also read: Chery is the first Chinese brand that understands Malaysians' needs - Android Auto, RHD-friendly controls, could debut RHD Omoda 5

Its closest competitor, the Haval H6 PHEV, also has a similar powertrain configuration with 330 PS/530 Nm and is expected to make its way to Malaysia as well.

Also read: While Malaysia waits, Haval H6 PHEV with 330 PS/530 Nm gets previewed in Thailand