Chery Q's Cooking Challenge with Top SA Chef to Showcase New EV's Electric Capability

Bring together 26 guests, 5 teams, ample fresh produce from the KZN Midlands, a very innovative power supply and a MasterChef-inspired cooking challenge and you get the recipe for the very unique official South African launch of the Chery Q.

The launch event, held earlier this week, saw the Chery Q’s electric capability put to a rather different test. Instead of simply powering the drive, the vehicles supplied the electricity needed.

The Chery Q is a compact, fully electric vehicle designed to bring together smart technology, everyday practicality and a playful personality. Powered by a 90-kW electric motor and 42.7 kWh battery, it offers a range of up to 400 km (NEDC cycle). With its compact dimensions, surprisingly spacious interior and clever storage solutions, the Q brings a fresh approach to electric mobility.

In what may well be a first for a new vehicle launch in South Africa, it was the Chery Q’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external discharge capability that was really put to the test. Guests were divided into teams and challenged to create, source and cook a three-course menu, with everything from blenders and microwaves to air fryers plugged directly into the Q itself.

The Q proved easy and comfortable to drive across the Midlands’ varied road conditions as teams traveled to local farm stalls and grocers to source their ingredients, with several guests remarking that its performance felt more powerful than its output might suggest.

With a maximum external power capacity of up to 6.6 kW, the Chery Q proved it is more than a distinctive, intelligent electric vehicle. It’s also a surprisingly versatile source of power.

Three hours and plenty of cooking later, the Qs were still going strong, with the battery level across all five vehicles remaining above 80%.

The challenge celebrated authentic South African cuisine, with teams serving up dishes including chicken curry bunny chow, stew with chakalaka and pap and peri-peri chicken livers.

Their creations were put before a judging panel that included celebrated South African chef Peter Goffe-Wood, a four-season MasterChef South Africa judge, Ultimate Braai Master judge and author of three cookbooks. Goffe-Wood, who is classically trained with experience in kitchens around the world, has also worked as a restaurateur, food writer and hospitality consultant throughout his extensive career.

Of the judging experience, Goffe-Wood said it was certainly a first for him. “Cooking with power supplied by a car puts a whole new meaning to padkos,” he said.

The Q’s higher-than-average 6.6 kW capacity allows the vehicle's 42.7-kWh battery pack to comfortably run multiple high-draw household appliances, power tools, camping gear, or even provide light emergency backup home power.

The Q provided the soundtrack for the event too, with its sound system keeping the energy high throughout the cooking challenge.

The Q’s 375 litres of boot capacity, expanding to 1 450 litres when additional space is required, meant plenty of space for groceries. Up front, the separate 70-litre front trunk (frunk) doubles as a cooler box, perfect for camping or a picnic, along with valve drainage designed to make the compartment easier to clean.

Adding to the quirkiness of this new offering from Chery, the Q’s playful, customisable cabin includes a 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen, an 8.8-inch instrument display, customisable wallpapers, an interactive digital pet, quick gestures and a customisable home-screen layout.

The Q has already received international design recognition with a Red Dot Product Design Award, with Chery describing its design as “Square-Round Harmony”, combining squared proportions with softer, rounded details

The Chery Q is now available locally in two derivatives, with the Comfort priced from R349 900 and the Elite from R389 900. Customers can also choose from a selection of expressive exterior colours including lavender, white and silver.

Chery’s Q launch was every bit as fun and unconventional as the vehicle itself, reflecting its practical but playful personality.

For more information, go to www.chery.co.za/models/chery-q