WUHU, China: An on-site crash test involving two Chery Tiggo 9 vehicles was held recently as part of the Chery Ultimate Safety Exploration Tour, in front of more than 500 guests and media representatives at the Longshan Test Centre in Wuhu, China.
The 15-degree small-overlap collision test is widely regarded as one of the most severe crash scenarios in the automotive industry.
In this test, the impact force bypasses the main front longitudinal beams and strikes the vehicle’s weaker structural areas, generating extreme compression, bending, and torsional forces that challenge the vehicle’s overall rigidity.
The on-site demonstration saw both Tiggo 9 vehicles accelerated to 50kph each before impact — a combined collision energy equivalent to a single vehicle striking a solid barrier at
approximately 100kph.
This setup was deliberately chosen to mirror real-world urban and suburban driving conditions, where such speeds are commonly encountered in daily traffic.
Reports from the live collision test confirmed that the passenger cabins of both Tiggo 9 vehicles remained completely intact, with no deformation in the A, B, or C-pillars, demonstrating outstanding structural integrity.
All front airbags, including knee airbags and side curtain airbags were deployed perfectly along with the seatbelt pre-tensioners which were activated instantly, providing full protection to occupants.
The fuel system held securely with no leakage, and all four doors could be opened immediately after impact, allowing rescue personnel swift access.
Automatically activated hazard lights warned surrounding traffic, helping to prevent secondary collisions.
The outcome proves not only the vehicles’ rigidity but also highlights the seamless integration of restraint systems, post-crash accessibility, and overall safety reliability, ensuring protection and confidence in real-world driving conditions.
Chery’s Ultimate Safety Exploration Tour featured a series of experiential safety demonstrations to showcase the Chinese automaker's commitment and priority to ensure safety.
Chery Automobile Co Ltd chief engineer Xu Youzhong explained the test was a scenario in everyday driving.
He added, "From the collision angle, the front beams alone could not absorb all the impact. The test was therefore not just a measure of the vehicle’s structural strength, but a full evaluation of Chery’s ability to manage crash forces, coordinate restraint systems, and ensure post-collision safety and rescue functions.”
By combining standardised laboratory tests with extreme real-world challenges, Chery says it is constructing a multidimensional validation framework that reflects how vehicles truly behave
under unpredictable conditions.
