With Chery vehicles set to enter the United
States market through Vantas, a new brand created by HAAH Automotive Holdings,
preliminary specifications of two SUVs that will go on sale in the country have
been revealed ahead of market launches planned for between late 2021 and early
2022.
It should be noted that these models will
be assembled in the US, hence the delay in the scheduled start of sales.
Currently, Vantas is analysing potential locations to set up shop, and is only
considering existing facilities for vehicle production to meet the company’s
aggressive sales goal.
The first of the two SUV models is the
Vantas TXL due in late 2021, which is essentially a rebadged Exeed TXL sold by
Chery’s premium subsidiary brand. The TXL is the long-wheelbase version of the
regular TX, and measures 4,775 mm long with a 2,800 mm wheelbase, providing up
to three rows of seating. The smaller TX meanwhile, is 4,690 mm long, has a
2,715 mm wheelbase and is limited to two rows instead.
While the Chinese-spec TXL is powered by a
1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 194 hp and 290 Nm of torque,
the version destined for the US will get a 2.0 litre turbo four-pot said to
provide around 240 hp. The larger engine will be paired with a seven-speed
transmission (likely the same Getrag wet-dual-clutch unit), with front- and
all-wheel drive available.
The next Vantas model to go on sale in the
US sometime in early 2022 is the VX, which was first unveiled by Chery in
concept form at last year’s Guangzhou Auto Show in November. Much larger than
the TXL, the seven-seat VX is 4,970 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, 1,795 mm tall and
has a wheelbase spanning 2,900 mm.
Despite that, will feature the same
powertrain setup as that used in the TXL, also with FWD and AWD variants. These
specifications could change later on as Vantas has yet to meet homologation
requirements for the US market.
