DR Automobiles, Tiger brand debuts (made in China)

The growth of the Molise-based Dr Automobilies group continues, with new models produced in China and customised in the Macchia d'Isernia plant. Among the many new models presented at Dealer Day 2024 in Verona, the Tiger brand debuts with the Five and Six suvs and the Seven MPV thanks to collaboration with the Chinese group Dongfeng.

Expected at dealerships from the second half of 2024, the Evo 6 presents a revamped styling and interior with dual 10-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. At 4.6 metres long, the Evo 6 is powered by the 1.5 turbo petrol or petrol/LPG direct injection 177 horsepower engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Three DR debuts, starting with the DR 3.0 Executive, with updated lines compared to the 3.0 and powered by the 1.5 litre aspirated petrol engine with 116 horsepower, also available in LPG version. Also making its debut is the DR 6.0 1.6 Tgdi, with a 185 horsepower direct injection turbo petrol (or Thermohybird petrol/LPG) engine compared to the 154 of the current 1.5 turbo versions. The latest innovation comes in the form of the DR 6.0 Hybrid Plug-in with 315 horsepower, powered by a 108 kW 1.5 turbo petrol engine and two electric motors (one 55 kW, the other 70 kW) with a 19.3 kWh battery and a range of 80 km in all-electric mode.

The list of previews continues with the Sportequipe 6 and Sportequipe 7. Both are powered by a 1.6 litre turbo petrol or petrol/LPG direct injection 185 bhp engine mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox. Starting with the 4.5-metre-long Sportequipe 6, it features a generous on-board touch screen and small monitors on the front doors with information on temperature and particulate levels inside the cabin. Moving on to the 4.7-metre-long Sportequipe 7, which takes the place of the DR 7, it aims to win over customers looking for a seven-seater SUV with good standard equipment.

The latest brand to enter the DR galaxy, exhuming a lost British brand, Tiger brings to Verona three models made in China by Dongfeng and customised in Italy. The range consists of the Tiger Five, a 4.5 metre long suv powered by a 177 bhp 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine mated to a 7-speed Dct gearbox. On board are dual 10.25" monitors each. The model is derived from the Forthing T5 Evo, now also on sale in Italy, which in turn is rebadged Cirelli 7. The Tiger Six is a 4.6 metre suv powered by a 174 hp 1.5 turbo petrol with a 7-speed Dct gearbox. The dashboard again features a 24.6-inch dual screen between instrument cluster and infotainment. The Tiger Seven, on the other hand, is a 4.8-metre, seven-seater MPV powered by a 177 bhp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo with seven-speed automatic transmission.