Boxy, electric off-road lifestyle SUVs have become a major trend in China, often boasting a tough, adventurous look and can handle light off-road conditions. Many brands already offer models in this category, with more on the way. The coolest is the new iCar V23, a strikingly retro machine that looks ready to conquer deserts and mountains with electric power.
What is iCar?
iCar is an NEV (New Energy Vehicle) brand under Chery Automobile. The brand, whose slogan is “Born to Play,” was established in 2023. It currently sells two SUVs, the iCar 03 and the iCar 03T, with the new V23 being the third. Two more cars are underway, the X25 off-road MPV and the GT sedan. Sales are decent for a new brand with a two-car lineup.
In October, iCar sold 5,644 cars, which was good for the 56th place in the sales rankings. That may seem low, but there are over 150 brands in China. iCar ranked just below Voyah and Kia, and just above Nammi and Chevrolet. Yes, Chevrolet has fallen like a stone in China. Ten years ago, in 2014, Chevrolet usually ranked around 8th.
The iCar V23
The V23 looks brilliant and utilitarian, like an old-school army-operated 4×4. iCar has openly stated that the design was inspired by the Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and the iconic BAW Beijing BJ212. (BAW has also launched a retro variant of the BJ212, called the T01, but that’s a petrol-powered car).
The V23 has ultra-short overhangs, allowing for great approach and departure angles for off-roading. The coolness comes with round LED headlights, wide fender flares, fake air vents on the front fender, sideboards, recessed door handles, black five-spoke alloy wheels, skid plates, and millimeter-wave radars in the bumper.
Check those overhangs! The shortest on the Chinese car market right now, as far as I know. The beltline is perfectly straight from the A-pillar to the rear. The V23 is aimed at the camping crowd — young city folks who head out for the hills on the weekend. Chinese folks, however, prefer to camp in their cars. That is why so many Chinese carmakers offer all sorts of camping gear, like made-to-fit air mattresses and camping boxes.
Specs of the iCar V23
The black pods on the far sides of the hood are pop-up searchlights.
The iCar V23 is based on a dedicated EV platform. Size: 166/75.4/72.6, with a 107.6-inch wheelbase. That’s fairly small — even smaller than a Ford Bronco Sport. iCar sells two variants:
- Single-motor rear-wheel drive. The output is 136 hp and 133 ft-lbs. Electricity is stored in a 59.93 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for a 249-mile range. The curb weight is 4596 pounds. It accelerates from 0-50 km/h (31 mph) in 4.8 seconds. Wheels: 19 inches.
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive. The output is 211 hp and 215 ft-lbs. It has an 81.76 kWh ternary lithium battery for a 311-mile range. The curb weight is 4850 pounds. Zero to 50 is gone in 3.5 seconds. Wheels: 21 inches.
icar says both variants fast-charge from 30-80% in “less than” 30 minutes. The top speed is limited to a relaxing 87 mph with both versions. Chinese carmakers are always exact with battery size, with two digits after the decimal point. The 0-50 km/h acceleration is often specified when an EV doesn’t have much power, especially when it would take more than 10 seconds to reach 100. That doesn’t look good, so carmakers go for 0-50. This is quite common for electric city cars and small vans, but uncommon in the V23’s segment.
The interior of the iCar V23
Chery does great interiors and the iCar V23 is no exception, with a sturdy, spacious, and airy cabin. It has a large-diameter steering wheel, which is a new trend in China. Notably, the wheel is round. Many other Chinese car makers work with wilder-shaped steering wheels. The wheel has two scroll wheels and the drive selector is mounted on the column. The center tunnel is mainly a storage bin with a single wireless charger in the armrest.
The center stack is designed beautifully, featuring a 15.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen with three air vents positioned just below it. Beneath the screen, you’ll find retro-inspired dials and switches that control the air conditioning and other essential functions. Buttons are also making a notable comeback in China, as they are elsewhere, albeit largely driven by their nostalgic, cool-factor appeal. The v23 is also equipped with a 7-speaker sound system. The voice-control system is activated by saying 你好iCAR. It has permanent 5G connectivity and it can get OTA upgrades.
Interestingly, iCar went for a four-seat layout, with super wide seats as the second row. There sure seems enough space for a 3-seat bench.
Mud!
The V23 is seriously capable off-road, mainly due to its short overhangs. It has an approach angle of 43 degrees and a departure angle of 41 degrees. The ground clearance is 210 millimeters (8.27 inches). It also has a camping-ready 3.3 kW V2L function so folks can power up the coffee machine or the television.
You can see two more millimeter-wave radars in the bumper. It has an external storage box on the rear door with an LED light. Characters on the right: 奇瑞汽车, Qíruì Qìchē, Chery Automobile.
ADAS
ADAS isn’t the hype like it was before. That is actually a good thing because the systems have become much cheaper now. Even affordable cars come with a comprehensive ADAS system nowadays. The iCar V23 has an L2++ autonomous driving system. This is a Chinese standard between L2+ and L3, and the unofficial standard was created by carmakers because L3 isn’t legal yet in China, but the systems are often way better than just L2. So car makers started calling their systems L2+ first and now we are at L2++. The V23 has 23 sensors including five millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and five cameras. Computing power comes from a Qualcomm 8155 chip.
Options
Check the pop-up searchlight on the hood. The roof rack has a 200 kg capacity. This orange car is fitted with steel-style wheels and iCar decals. Customers can also go for extra external storage boxes on the C-D pillar, a ladder, a side tent, or even wider tires.
Money!
iCar has just released the pre-order pricing for the V23, and it is even cheaper than expected. The RWD model costs 110.000 yuan and the AWD sells for 150.000 yuan. That is $15.2K and $20.7K. iCar offers six exterior colors and two interior color combinations. Deliveries will start in December.
The Cyberspace Edition
Cyberspace is a Beijing-based car modification company. I visited their shop last year, they are at the Goldenport race track. Carmakers often work with Cyberspace for special editions of existing cars. iCar went mad on the V23, with 22-inch wheels, lots of shiny bits, a redesigned hood, and a huge rear spoiler. It is a typical Cyberspace creation, but in this case, I like the original better. The V23 Cyberspace Edition can be ordered at the iCar dealer but the price hasn’t been announced yet.
Final Words
The new iCar V23 is probably one of the coolest Chinese electric cars of 2024, with a fantastic retro design inside and out. The price is great too, so iCar will probably find the young audience that it wants. The V23 seems capable off-road, too, so it isn’t just about form. The only worry is the low power output, which is strange, as Chery has zillions of more powerful EV systems readily available. Happily, that also means iCar can release stronger variants of the V23 in the future.
I love these dispatches from China. It’s interesting to see what’s “hip” in other parts of the world.
But wow, “iCar” is a dumb name.
It’s pretty clear this is supposed to be a J40 Landcruiser. It’s even got the opening on the hood and the low down taillights. Wonder how Toyota feels about this?
That interior looks awful. The driver gets an expanse of black plastic before them where an instrument cluster could easily fit. At least other single screen cars lower the dashboard for an airy feel.
Wow, fifteen to twenty grand. What are we doing over here.
Regulations and protectionism
It looks like a Grand Theft Auto take on what is legally not a Land Rover Defender and can be proven so in a court of law.