Ideas are wonderful things, arriving unannounced to occupy all corners of the brain and, initially, making the recipient believe they are the very best thing since sliced bread so, while some are discarded when thought through, others germinate into action – and thus it was when the idea to photograph the action at the Impi Hard Enduro blossomed.
Even though I detest the cold and the weather boffins had a vicious clod front moving through, fellow snapper, Lawrence Paikin, and I dutifully packed our warm ‘pantyhose’ thick jackets and gumboots for river wading and loaded up the Chery Tiggo 9 AWD that was to be our steed for the event.
Based out of Bergville, the Impi attracted more than 1 200 riders – the youngest being 10 years old – into the breathtaking splendour of the Drakensberg Amphitheatre where they were divided into four groups subtley named Iron, Bronze, Silver and Gold but which actually meant ‘You Must be Joking’, ‘Madness’, Insanity’ and ‘Last Will and Testament’ an then thrown at the mighty mountain range to navigate different routes through rivers, up steep inclines and back down some fearsome drops.
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It was then our task to find suitable routes for the Tiggo to get us close enough to snap images of riders in various stages of exahustion or elation, depending on how the day was going – some of these routes for us being mere tracks heading into the mountains.
The petrol-powered version is driven by a 2,0-litre, four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 kW and 390 Nm of torque. That power is directed to all four corners through a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. On the fuel consumption front, the all-wheel-drive Vanguard is rated at 8,3 l/100 km – so our complete event figure of 10,2 l/100 km is certainly not too shabby.
Leaving Johannesburg the full effect of the cold front was immediately apparent with a strong wind blowing and the portent of the snow from the Eastern Cape making its way into the Drakensberg race zone – fortunately it did not and we were blessed with sunny, but icy, days.
Inside the Tiggo the wind buffeting could be felt but the big SUV was toasty warm and comfortable while tracking true and straight along the highway and then handling impressively as we switchbacked down Oliviershoek Pass toward Bergville.
If you have never taken that route and seen the icy-blue magnificence of the Sterkfontein Dam, put it on you bucket list!
Because the idea arrived and germinated late, we could find accommodation only about 1,5 hours from the start including a 4 km crawl on a single-track with some cement sections, more rough sections, steep inclines and a couple of ‘OMG’ narrow bridges.
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Thankfully the 360 degree camera setup in the Tiggo provided ground view, allowing us to see the positioning of the wheels – and this was vital in the early morning pitch darkeness on the way to the race start.
Up front, is a MacPherson strut setup, with a multi-link arrangement at the rear, giving the Tiggo 9 a composed and comfortable ride. The electronic power steering offers good feel and feedback, making it fairly easy to place this 4 810 mm SUV exactly where you want it. Braking is handled by ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear, all tucked behind 20-inch units on the Vanguard.
The Tiggo 9 is not an offroad vehicle. It is a soft-roader but its performance in the bundu we travelled was nothing short of impressive.
From a design standpoint, the Tiggo 9 carries its flagship status with confidence. The proportions and detailing come across as polished and substantial without being overbearing. At just over 4,8 metres long, 1 925 mm wide, and 1 741 mm tall, this seven-seater has a strong road presence. Ground clearance is rated at 183 mm, which adds to its capable stance and helps with everyday versatility.
A sharp waistline runs from the front wing to the rear, tapering neatly into a clean silhouette. At the back, a full-width LED light bar stretches across the tailgate, with intricate detailing said to be inspired by diamond jewellery, adding to the premium feel.
A panoramic sunroof comes as standard across the range, letting in plenty of natural light and adding to the sense of space inside.
The Vanguard has genuine black leather trim, a power-adjustable steering column, massage function for the front seats, ventilation for the front row and heating for the second row. But it’s not just about the spec sheet – the materials and finish throughout the cabin give it the kind of ambience you’d expect from a luxury seven-seater with a practical bent.
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Inside, the Tiggo 9 combines generous space with modern technology to create a comfortable environment for driver and passengers alike. The wide dashboard layout, with its clean horizontal lines, helps the cabin feel more expansive and adds to the sense of calm. Warm woodgrain accents bring a subtle, natural touch of luxury, with every surface contributing to the relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
The 2+3+2 seating configuration offers comfortable accommodation for up to seven people across three rows or multiple camera bags, cooler boxes, gum boots and suitcases.. Boot space measures 448 litres with all seats in use, expanding to a useful 2 065 litres when the 60:40 split second-row seats are folded down.
Practical touches include a front centre armrest with storage, cupholders in both the front and second rows, a glasses holder, and multiple USB ports – including two Type-C fast-charging points for front and rear passengers.
The driver gets a 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster, while most vehicle functions are managed through a 15,6-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are all included, and the audio setup is a 14-speaker Sony arrangement in the Vanguard.
On the safety front, the Tiggo 9 is well equipped with passive features including 10 crash bags while active systems such as traction control, electronic stability programme, hill-start assist and electronic brake assist are also fitted as standard, giving occupants a solid foundation of protection and reassurance – and we needed all of them.
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As impressive as the Impi Hard Enduro was, so too was the Chery Tiggo 9.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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