Incoming iCaur’s entry-level V23 promises ‘shocking fun’

V23 will have two powertrain options, the depicted example being the dual-motor all-wheel drive with alloy wheels. Picture: Charl Bosch Its South African operations starting in May, iCaur will become the second of six confirmed new Chinese vehicles debuting this year. Arriving after sister Chery-owned brand Lepas, whose sales kick-off next month, the dedicated new energy vehicle division of the former also becomes the fifth sub-brand, the others being Omoda & Jaecoo and Jetour.

Established in 2023, which makes it one of China’s newest automotives brands, its South African product range will, initially, comprise two fully electric models: the V23 and the 03T. Planned to arrive near year-end is therange-extending electric V27, with a similar REEV version of the 03T expected at a later stage, possibly only in 2027. Known as iCar in its home market, butrenamed in export marketsover trademark conflicts, the inclusion of a “u” hasn’t impacted on its name still being pronounced as “i-car” instead of “i-core”.

Devised as a tech-savvy brand, with an added emphasis on customisation and individualism,The Citizenhad the opportunity to sample both last week, with the V23 being the first subject. Due, however, to both model being homologation units, the short drive took place within the confines of the office park where iCaur’s head office is located. Confirmed to be the model that opens iCaur’s product range up, the V23 made its first showing at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring last year as part of the brand’s public reveal.

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Described as a stylistic tribute to the Toyota Land Cruiser 60-series and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the V23 rides on a unibody platform called S5X, and with a claimed ground clearance of 210 mm. Its departure angle is 41° and approach angle 42°. The claimed breakover angle is unknown.

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