- Chery T1TP concept transforms into an SUV, pickup, and camper.
- It rides on a unibody chassis with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
- The concept will evolve into a production-ready model by 2026.
Chinese automaker Chery has pulled the cover off a new idea it calls a “Transformable Multi-SUV” concept, a vehicle designed to shift shapes according to its driver’s needs.
Known internally as the T1TP, this adaptable model can manually convert into a seven-seater SUV, a double-cab pickup, or even a camper, aiming to meet nearly every scenario a family could throw at it – 99 percent of them, according to Chery.
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The concept measures 4.9 m (192.9 inches) long, making it larger than the Tiggo 9 SUV. Its design language is similar to the Himla ladder-frame pickup that was introduced earlier this year, although the T1TP appears to ride on a unibody chassis.
At the front, the split LED headlights flank a massive hexagon-shaped grille, which is combined with side intakes for added drama. The profile has similar surfacing to the Tiggo 9, but trades the flush door handles for regular ones.
However, the highlight is the roof extension which is the key to the transformative nature of the concept.
The Shape-Shifting Roof
According to Chery, the T1TP can be configured in six different ways, depending on how its interior and exterior modules are combined.
The standard setup is the self-explanatory “Large 7-Seat SUV Mode”, with 1,284 mm (50.6 inches) of interior height allowing a six-year old to stand and older passengers to enter and exit without bending over. The rear end has a split tailgate, offering access to the cargo area.
The second layout, the “Double-Cab Pickup Mode,” comes to life when the rear module is removed using a quick-release mechanism. This transformation eliminates the third row and unveils a 600-liter (21.2 cubic feet) bed fitted with tie-down points and adjustable dividers. Chery claims the space can swallow anything from surfboards and camping gear to floral arrangements and construction tools.
The final major setup is “Camper Mode,” complete with a deployable side awning, pop-up roof tent, rear entertainment screens, and external power supply.
What’s Underneath?
Chery has yet to detail the powertrain, though the tailgate badging hints at the brand’s Super Hybrid system. This plug-in hybrid configuration comprises a turbo 1.5-liter engine, an electric motor, a special kind of transmission, and a floor-mounted battery pack.
The setup reportedly delivers a combined driving range between 1,200 and 1,400 kilometers (745–870 miles).
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Chery said that development of the new model started in February 2024, with a 20-member product expert team spending over 300 days on research across “multiple international markets”.
Chery expects the production model to debut in the third quarter of 2026, starting in China. Whether the final version will retain all of the concept’s shape-shifting features remains to be seen, but if even half of them survive, the T1TP could mark one of the more intriguing family vehicles on the horizon.
Chery
