Chery unveils the T1TP concept car, which can switch to a seven-seat SUV or Double-Cab Pickup

[PCauto]Chery recently unveiled a concept vehicle, internally coded T1TP, at its Chery Brand Night 2025 event.

Positioned as a ​​transformable multi-purpose SUV with seven seats​​, this model can be ​​manually reconfigured by switching different body modules​​ into several forms, including a seven-seat SUV, a ​​crew-cab pickup truck​​, or a ​​camper van​​.

The T1TP concept car is built on a unibody chassis, with a body length of 4.9 meters, making it taller compared to the Tiggo 9 SUV.

The design language is similar to the Himla pickup truck launched earlier this year but adopts more modern elements.

The front is equipped with split LED headlights and a large hexagonal grille, the side profile features sharp lines and prominent fender flares, and the tailgate uses a split-opening design, enhancing both practicality and visual impact.

The T1TP Concept Car Can Switch Between SUV, Pickup Truck, and Camper

The roof extension module is the core highlight of the concept car, supporting manual switching between various configurations that allow the vehicle to quickly adapt to different scenarios.

Chery emphasizes that the T1TP concept car is developed through a co-creation process with users and can be manually transformed into six different modes, including the standard "Large 7-Seat SUV Mode," "Double-Cab Pickup Mode," and "Camper Mode," covering 99% of usage scenarios such as family commuting, outdoor activities, and long-distance travel. This design aims to address the challenges faced by family users in balancing work and leisure.

In standard mode, the T1TP concept car functions as a seven-seat SUV with an interior height of 1,284 millimeters, allowing children to stand and making it convenient for elderly passengers to enter and exit without bending over. The rear is equipped with a split tailgate for easier access to luggage.

When manually switched to double-cab pickup mode, the rear module is removed through a quick-release mechanism, the third-row seats are eliminated, and a 600-liter cargo bed is revealed, equipped with tie-down points and adjustable dividers to accommodate items such as surfboards, camping gear, or tools.

Additionally, the camper mode includes an extendable side awning, a pop-up rooftop tent, a rear entertainment screen, and external power supplies to provide convenience for outdoor activities.

These transformational features are based on global user research. Chery has collected feedback from markets such as Indonesia, Mexico, and Thailand to ensure the design meets real-world needs.

The future production version will directly compete with the Toyota Hilux to gain a competitive advantage in the pickup and SUV crossover market.

The T1TP concept vehicle adopts Chery Super Hybrid

In terms of the powertrain, the T1TP concept vehicle is equipped with Chery's Super Hybrid plug-in hybrid system, which includes a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, an electric motor, and a floor-mounted battery pack. Specific parameters have not yet been disclosed, but it is understood that the T1TP concept vehicle has a combined range of 1,200 to 1,400 kilometers.

This system combines fuel efficiency with the advantages of electric driving, making it suitable for long-distance travel and complex road conditions. Regarding technical details, the vehicle may be equipped with intelligent energy management features to optimize energy consumption strategies, but Chery has not disclosed further information.

Development commenced in February 2024, with a team of 20 automotive specialists conducting 300+ days of global research across multiple countries. By collecting 1,350 user insights and 40,000+ suggestions, Chery ensured real-world applicability. The production model's performance will likely be refined to rival the Toyota Hilux in durability and versatility.

The T1TP will directly compete with the Toyota Hilux

In terms of market positioning, the T1TP concept vehicle is primarily aimed at global family users and is planned to be launched in its production version in China in the third quarter of 2026.html

Zheng Songzhi, Executive Vice President of Chery, stated during the event that this car is part of the brand's strategy to shift from a function-oriented to a scenario-oriented approach, aiming to address pain points for families in commuting, work, and leisure through flexible design.

In the future, the T1TP will compete with classic pickup models like the Toyota Hilux to capture market share in regions such as North America, the Middle East, and Africa, where pickup trucks are more widely accepted as family vehicles.

Although it remains uncertain whether the production version will retain all the features of the concept model, even partial implementation of these features could make the T1TP a standout in future family vehicles.

In addition, Chery plans to strengthen interaction between the brand and its community by inviting global users to participate in design, performance tuning, and customization through a co-creation project.

Can the Chery T1TP Concept Car Share Market with the Toyota Hilux?

The Chery T1TP Concept Car and the Toyota Hilux Champ represent two different design philosophies and market orientations.

As an innovative concept car, the Chery T1TP emphasizes flexibility and coverage of family scenarios, while the Toyota Hilux continues its legacy of practicality and durability as a classic pickup truck. In contrast, it is the Toyota Hilux Champ that will be the real competitor of Chery T1TP.

However, the Toyota Hilux Champ requires higher modification costs, while the Chery T1TP only requires the owner to do some work at home.