The iCar V23 off-road electric SUV was declared by the Chinese MIIT, available in single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD. The new car is jointly developed by Chery and Zhimi Technology’s founder – Su Jun, as the first model under iCar’s new V series that focuses on the off-road vehicle market. The official market entry is expected to be later this year with a price tag starting from 119,800 yuan (16,500 USD) in China.
Earlier, Car News China reported that Xiaomi had a stake in iCar V23’s development since Zhimi Technology is a Xiaomi subsidiary. However, Xiaomi later clarified that this cooperation has nothing to do with Xiaomi nor Xiaomi’s ecological chain – which includes Zhimi Technology. Instead, this cooperation is solely between Su Jun and Chery. In 2021, Su Jun started a vehicle development project; then in 2023, Su Jun and Chery established a partnership to jointly contribute to Chery’s iCar brand.
Overall, the iCar V23 adopts the square box shape commonly seen in hardcore off-road SUVs, with round headlights, thick bumpers, a raised front hood, widened wheel eyebrows, and side steps.
The classic external storage box at the rear is also not absent. This can be seen as an additional storage space connected to the interior of the vehicle, and it cannot be opened from the outside.
The iCar V23 has a length, width, and height of 4220/1915/1845 mm, respectively, with a 2735 mm wheelbase. Positioned as an off-road SUV, the RWD and AWD have an approach angle of 39/41°, a departure angle of 35°, a curb weight of 1710/1825 kg, and run on 19/21-inch rims, respectively.
Additionally, the RWD offers optional left and right cameras, front bumper camera, left and right radars, front and rear radars, front face colors, and rear external box colors.
Similarly, the AWD offers optional rear external box colors, wheel eyebrow designs, front face colors, front/left/right cameras, and front/rear/left/right radars.
Furthermore, the RWD is powered by a 100 kW (134 hp) electric motor and a ternary lithium battery pack. The AWD uses the same rear electric motor, with the addition of a 55 kW (74 hp) front electric motor, paired with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. Both trims have a top speed of 140 km/h. The detailed parameters have not been announced officially at this time. Previously, Chery also revealed that the RWD has more than 400 km range while the AWD has more than 500 km range.
Inside, the iCar V23 uses a large number of round and rectangular design elements, embellished with a hint of yellow. Under the central control screen are the air-conditioning outlets and control knobs. The center console also adopts a layered layout.
Source: Chinese MIIT, Sohu, iCar
