by Universal Vehicle for the Family
The Chinese automaker Chery has introduced the “Transformed Multi-SUV” concept, which is set to become a production model. The vehicle, codenamed T1TP, can be manually transformed into a seven-seat SUV, a double-cab pickup, and a camper, promising to cover 99% of family travel scenarios.
Dimensions and Design
The concept is 4.9 meters long, making it larger than the Tiggo 9 SUV. The design language is similar to the frame-based Himla pickup presented earlier this year, although the T1TP appears to have a unibody construction.
At the front, split LED headlights frame a massive hexagonal radiator grille, combined with side air intakes for added expressiveness. The side profile has a surface similar to the Tiggo 9, but instead of flush door handles, conventional ones are used. However, the main feature is the sliding roof, which is key to the concept’s transformation.
Transformation Capabilities
According to Chery, there are six different configurations when considering possible interior and exterior combinations. The standard configuration is the understandable “Large Seven-Seat SUV Mode” with a cabin height of 1284 mm, allowing a six-year-old child to stand and adult passengers to enter and exit without bending over. The rear has split tailgate doors, providing access to the cargo compartment.
The next configuration is the “Double-Cab Pickup Mode,” achieved through a removable rear structure with a quick-release mechanism. This removes the third row of seats and creates a cargo compartment with a capacity of 600 liters, complete with tie-downs and adjustable partitions. Chery states that the cargo space can accommodate, among other things, “surfboards, camping tents, flower arrangements, and building materials.”
The concept also has a “Camper Mode” with a deployed side awning, a pop-up roof tent, entertainment screens at the rear, and an external power source.
Technical Specifications
The company did not disclose the powertrain specifications, but the badges on the rear doors indicate that the T1TP is equipped with a Super Hybrid system. This hybrid configuration includes a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, an electric motor, a dedicated transmission, and a battery pack located under the floor. The total estimated range is 1200–1400 km.
The development of the new model began in February 2024, when a team of 20 experts conducted over 300 days of research in “several international markets.”
The production version is expected in the third quarter of 2026, likely initially in the Chinese market. It will be interesting to see how many of the concept’s transformation features are implemented in the final product.
The emergence of innovative models like the T1TP could change the family car market by offering a combination of practicality and environmental friendliness. Growing competition among automakers is stimulating the development of technologies that meet modern demands for mobility and reduced environmental impact.
