Only One Manual Takeover in 750 km

TIGGO 9X with Falcon 500 Sets a New Benchmark for Intelligent Driving Assistance in ICE Vehicles

Safer, Smoother, More Efficient and More Fuel-Saving

On January 18, Chery successfully concluded a long-distance live intelligent driving assistance test for the TIGGO 9X. Departing from Chery’s R&D Center in Wuhu, the vehicle traveled across three provinces via highways and reached Xiapu, Fujian, covering a total distance of approximately 750 km.

Throughout the entire journey, only one manual takeover was required — triggered proactively by the driver due to a sudden and aggressive cut-in maneuver from another vehicle. In all other scenarios, the system operated smoothly and reliably, truly achieving the vision of “intelligent driving across thousands of kilometers in a single day.”

In comparison, the industry average for highway NOA systems typically requires a safety takeover every 220 km, while even leading brands achieve around 350 km. With near “zero takeover” performance, TIGGO 9X clearly positions itself among the top tier of mass-produced intelligent driving vehicles.

The First Intelligent Driving ICE Vehicle

Falcon 500 Brings “EV-Level Intelligence” to Gasoline Cars

As Chery’s first gasoline vehicle designed from the ground up for intelligent driving assistance, TIGGO 9X is the first in its segment to be equipped with the Falcon 500 Intelligent Driving Assistance System.

Falcon 500 introduces EV-level intelligent driving experience into the internal combustion engine (ICE) segment, realizing Chery’s concept of “same intelligence for fuel and electric vehicles.”

Through long-distance, real-world testing across multiple scenarios, the system demonstrated that intelligent driving assistance for ICE vehicles is no longer experimental — it is safe, reliable, durable, and ready for daily use.
User confidence has shifted from “hesitant to use” to “willing to use” and ultimately to “actively relying on it.”

This test represents not just a technical validation, but a milestone signaling the maturity of intelligent driving assistance for gasoline vehicles.

01 | 750 km Long-Distance Validation

99% Coverage with Smoothness, Efficiency and Fuel Savings

During the 750 km test, intelligent driving assistance covered nearly 99% of the journey, delivering measurable advantages in ride comfort, travel efficiency, and fuel consumption.

EV-Like Smoothness

Powered by Chery’s proprietary Spatiotemporal Joint Large Model, the Falcon 500 system predicts driving conditions and precisely coordinates engine speed and the 8-speed automatic transmission 200 milliseconds in advance.
This fundamentally eliminates the hesitation and gear-shift shock commonly associated with traditional ICE vehicles.

Many users commented:

“The TIGGO 9X feels quiet and smooth, just like an electric vehicle. You only realize it’s a gasoline car when you take over manually.”

Higher Efficiency Than Human Drivers

The entire test strictly followed speed limits, with two 20-minute rest stops. The total driving time was 8 hours and 52 minutes, even one minute faster than navigation estimates.

This efficiency is enabled by Falcon 500’s decision-making system, trained on 24 billion kilometers of global driving data.
Using cloud-based “world models” and reinforcement learning equivalent to 20 million virtual kilometers per day, the system continuously evolves.

In real traffic, it behaves like an experienced driver, applying human-like decision strategies — exploring gaps, applying pressure, seizing opportunities, and yielding when necessary — all while prioritizing safety.
In many scenarios, it reaches the destination earlier than skilled human drivers.

Outstanding Fuel Economy

With intelligent driving assistance enabled throughout the trip and cruising speeds of 100–120 km/h, fuel consumption remained between 6.7 and 7.1 L/100 km, delivering approximately 15% fuel savings compared to manual driving.

Notably, TIGGO 9X was the only vehicle in the convoy that required no refueling during the journey. Upon arrival, the remaining range still showed 141 km.

This confirms a real-world driving range exceeding 900 km on a single tank, using only 92-octane fuel — efficiency comparable to high-performing range-extended EVs.
The key lies in the spatiotemporal model’s precise control of the Kunpeng 2.0T engine, keeping it consistently within its optimal efficiency zone.

02 | Falcon 500 Advanced Assistance + Global Five-Star Safety

Dual Protection for True Peace of Mind

TIGGO 9X not only “knows how to drive,” but drives steadily and safely.

During the live test, Falcon 500’s HDR camera system detected a slow-moving truck inside a tunnel 300 meters ahead, even though the vehicle had no tail lights and blended visually with the asphalt.
The system initiated a proactive lane change before the solid line, using gentle braking and early deceleration — with no harsh braking, ensuring both safety and comfort.

In long tunnels where GPS signals were lost for several minutes, Falcon 500 relied on its Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and real-time perception mapping to maintain accurate lane centering, even as road curvature changed continuously.
While overtaking large trucks, the system also automatically flashed high and low beams to alert surrounding drivers, further enhancing safety.

This capability is not a simple adaptation of EV systems. Instead, Falcon 500 was developed specifically for ICE vehicle characteristics, with deep integration between the intelligent driving model and Chery’s self-developed 8-speed automatic transmission.
Acceleration, braking, and following behavior are precisely tuned for gasoline powertrains, ensuring stability and reliability in long-distance driving.

Global Five-Star Safety Foundation

Beyond software intelligence, TIGGO 9X is built on a solid safety foundation:

• 85% high-strength steel body structure

• 21% hot-formed steel

• 7 airbags, including a far-side airbag, with 6-second pressure retention

• Bosch IPB brake-by-wire system with response time under 150 ms

This robust hardware architecture provides critical redundancy and execution confidence for advanced driving assistance.

Conclusion

Intelligent Driving Is Not About Showmanship — Safety Comes First

With the Falcon 500 Intelligent Driving Assistance System, TIGGO 9X redefines long-distance highway driving for gasoline vehicles.
What was once tiring, monotonous, and potentially risky has become a safe, smooth, efficient, and fuel-saving “private high-speed rail” experience.

Many users report that for trips under 500 km, driving with Falcon 500 is even more convenient than high-speed rail. One Shanghai user noted that traveling from Wuhu to Shanghai previously required nearly 5 hours including transfers, while TIGGO 9X completed the journey in just 4 hours — quiet, private, and comfortable throughout.

Chery firmly believes that intelligent driving is not about showing off technology — safety is the ultimate goal.
True intelligent driving depends on proper cooperation between driver and system, with clear awareness of system boundaries.

Looking ahead, Chery will continue to promote the concept of safe human-machine co-driving through official live tests and expert evaluations, enabling more users worldwide to enjoy the convenience and confidence brought by intelligent mobility.