iCaur Malaysia’s second electric vehicle to go on sale here will be the V23, which was previously previewed in left-hand drive form to the public at this year’s Malaysia Autoshow in May. Fast forward to today, we’re now getting another preview of the V23, now in right-hand drive and accompanied by early specifications and estimated pricing.
For our market, the V23 will follow the 03 by being offered in two variants, namely the 2WD and iWD. The two powertrains are similar to what’s offered in Thailand where the model is sold as the Chery V23. The specifications for each variant are as follows:
iCaur V23 2WD
- Electric motor: 136 PS (134 hp or 100 kW) and 180 Nm; RWD
- 0-100 km/h: 11 seconds
- Top speed: 140 km/h
- Battery: 59.93 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
- Range (NEDC): 360 km
- DC charging: 85 kW
- AC charging: 6.6 kW
iCaur V23 iWD
- Front electric motor: 75 PS (74 hp or 55 kW) and 112 Nm
- Rear electric motor: 136 PS (134 hp or 100 kW) and 180 Nm
- Total system output: 211 PS (208 hp or 155 kW) and 292 Nm; AWD
- 0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds
- Top speed: 140 km/h
- Battery: 81.76 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC)
- Range (NEDC): 430 km
- DC charging: 104 kW
- AC charging: 6.6 kW
We should point out that in China, the V23 (sold as an iCar model there) was updated in September this year to become the Super V23. The newer offering retains the 59.93-kWh LFP battery but the NMC option is replaced with an 80.16-kWh LFP unit. The electric motors are also more powerful on the Super V23.
The V23 will join the 03 in the line-up here and features a longer wheelbase of 2,735 mm compared to the latter’s 2,715 mm. However, the V23 actually occupies a smaller footprint (4,220 mm long and 1,915 mm wide) than the 03 (4,406 mm long and 1,910 mm wide). The newer model is taller overall with a height of 1,845 mm (1,715 mm for the 03), which may give the illusion that it is bigger than its stablemate.
In terms of the design, the V23 is clearly inspired by famous nameplates such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender. Cues from these icons are clear to see, including the upright body, circular headlamps, robust wheel arches, side scuttles and side-opening tailgate with attached utility box.
The styling is clearly meant to attract fans of rugged-looking off-roaders, but it isn’t just for show as the V23 offers a minimum ground clearance of 200 mm, a wading depth of 600 mm, an approach angle of 42 degrees and a departure angle of 40 degrees.
Echoing the exterior, the V23’s cabin looks utilitarian but with modern touches. The upright dashboard is home to a large 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen that sits front and centre above rectangular-shaped air vents and a panel with glove-friendly dials and switches.
Stacked air vents occupy the corners of the dash, while ahead of the driver is a an 8.88-inch circular display that sits on a column for the four-spoke steering wheel with unlabelled controls. Touches like an image of an off-roading V23 embossed on the dash insert, which also has a ‘Born to Play’ plaque, help liven things up.
There’s also no shortage of storage inside, with nets at the base of the chunky door cards with chunky handles, a two-tier and configurable centre console, while the boot space is expandable from 234 to 1,366 litres, inclusive of 80 litres under the floor.
Equipment announced for the V23 include a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system with an output of 3.3 kW, 19-inch (2WD) or 21-inch (iWD) wheels and a 540-degree “transparent chassis” camera. In terms of driver assists, it’s Level 2 ADAS with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.
iCaur Malaysia says the V23 will be launched in the final quarter of 2025 and is estimated to be priced between RM145,000 for the 2WD and RM155,000 for the iWD variant. These estimates are identical to what was announced for the 03 prior to the official and (shocking) price reveal when the latter went on sale in September this year. Given this history, we’re expecting the V23 to be priced well below its estimates.
The post iCaur V23 previewed in Malaysia – launch in Q4 2025; 2WD, AWD variants; up to 430 km; RM145k-RM155k est appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.
