According to official sources, Chery‘s iCar brand is preparing to launch a “Retro Edition” of its V23 SUV next month. This new variant builds on the standard iCar V23, which costs 109,800 to 149,800 yuan ( 15,000 to 20,500 USD).

The iCar V23 features a distinctive “boxy” design with round headlights and a clamshell hood. Key exterior elements include hidden door handles, aluminium alloy side steps, and flared wheel arches. The vehicle’s rear sports a side-opening tailgate with an external storage box that resembles a “small backpack”.

The vehicle offers two powertrain options. The single-motor version uses a maximum power of 100kW and a lithium iron phosphate battery. A dual-motor setup combines a 100kW (134 hp) motor with a 55kW (74 hp) motor, powered by a ternary lithium battery.

For those seeking to enhance the retro look, Chery introduced an “iCar V23 Retro Emotion Package” in April. This optional kit includes a retro front grille, body anti-scratch strips, a matte green body wrap, 19-inch AT tires, and hood spotlights. It is offered in different combinations and is priced between 4,000 and 10,500 yuan (550 to 1,450 USD).

Specific features of the retro kit highlight its rugged intent. The matte green wrap utilises a frosted surface process with anti-glare treatment, reportedly meeting military vehicle optical concealment standards. The hood spotlights are designed to improve penetration lighting in low visibility conditions and can be rotated. They also feature anti-fog and anti-glare covers for reliability in challenging environments. The retro front grille is designed with a modular quick-release structure, allowing users to easily install or remove it.

Chery is set to introduce its iCar brand to the UK, Australia, and Malaysia next year as part of its global expansion strategy. However, the brand will be renamed “iCaur” in these markets to avoid trademark conflicts with Apple, which holds the “iCar” trademark. iCar CEO Su Jun stated at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show that, as part of Chery’s global export strategy, iCar plans to open 2,000 showrooms in 100 countries within three years.