KUALA LUMPUR: iCaur Malaysia's long-awaited second all-electric model, the V23 sports utility vehicle, has been finally launched in two variants of 2WD at RM119,800 and the intelligent all-wheel drive (iWD) at RM132,800, both on the road without insurance.
The rugged and retro-styled V23, pays homage to the classic 4X4s and has been engineered for the electric vehicle era.
The V23 package includes a seven-year/150,000km vehicle warranty, an eight-year/160,000km battery and drive unit warranty, and a battery replacement guarantee should the battery's state of health fall below 70% during the warranty period along with a V2L cable and a 3-pin portable charger.
For the first 1,000 registrations, buyers will get an Early Bird Package that offers a complimentary 7kW AC charger worth RM3,400, a 6.86-inch instrument cluster upgrade worth RM1,000 and a battery/powerdrive warranty extension to 10 years worth RM3,000.
Offering a boxy appearance with a wheelbase of 2,735mm, the V23 is 4,220mm long, 1,915mm wide and 1,845mm high.
Designed with short front and rear overhangs, the V23 gets a generous 42-degree approach and a 41-degree departure angle with a gradeability of up to 40%, making the vehicle suitable for off-roading.
Adding on to its off-roading credentials are a ground clearance of 210mm and a wading depth of up to 600mm.
Modern touches for the V23 are front LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights as standard, and LED taillights complemented by a high-mounted third brake light integrated into the rear auxiliary storage box.
To aid entry into and exit from the V23, secure sidesteps come standard along with interior grab handles for all occupants.
Inside, there are ventilated and massage seats, a 15.4-inch Quad HD centre touchscreen with seven speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The boot offers 234 litres of storage and is expandable to 744 litres when the flat-folding 50/50 second-row seats are folded down.
The 2WD variant comes with a single rear-mounted electric motor that delivers 100kW (136PS) and 180Nm of torque.
Using 19-inch wheels, the 2WD also gets a 59.9-kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery that enables a driving range up to 360km (NEDC), making it ideal for daily commuting and city drives.
Meanwhile, the iWD variant has a dual-motor layout that produces a combined output of 155kW (211PS) and 292Nm of torque, providing quicker acceleration and higher levels of traction on difficult terrain or gutted trails.
The higher-specced variant also gets larger 21-inch wheels, higher capacity 81.8-kWh Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) ternary lithium battery that allows an extended driving range of up to 430km (NEDC).
While 2WD and iWD variants support 6.6kW AC charging, the 2WD has up to 85kW of DC fast charging capability.
The iWD gets a higher DC charging rate of up to 104kW, offering added convenience for long-distance travels.
The 2WD variant comes with five drive modes of ECO, Comfort, Sport, Individual and Slippery, while the iWD gets an additional Off-Road mode.
To ensure the V23's robustness, its strong structural foundation is built around a cage-like frame comprising 70% high-strength steel.
The battery is also liquid-cooled to protect against thermal runaway.
Other safety features include six airbags and a Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
Among the ADAS features are Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Drive Away Info (DAI), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Change Warning (LCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Blindspot Detection (BSD) and Door Opening Warning (DOW).
Also used is a millimetre-wave radar system integrated into the vehicle body to improve detection accuracy across a variety of situations.
Other features include the 540-degree All View Monitor (AVM), a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and an NFC reader conveniently positioned on the driver’s side fender for quick access.
Available colours are Off Road Orange, Khaki White, Army Green, Slate Silver, Gravel Grey and Carbon Black, all paired with a refined black leather interior.
Chery International executive vice-president Chen Chunqing said iCaur is a key brand of the Chery Automotive Group.
"iCaur is envisioned under Chery’s long-term strategy, 'Co-Create, Co-Define,' which signals a major transformation from a traditional automaker into a developer of an intelligent, user-driven mobility ecosystem," he said.
Meanwhile, Chery Corporate Malaysia executive vice-president Men Lin Bo said iCaur has introduced a fresh, dynamic approach to EV mobility since its debut.
"Combining potent EV off-road ability and everyday versatility, the V23 will now answer the call of a new generation of drivers, explorers and trendsetters," he said.
iCaur Malaysia is now approaching 20 network locations across Peninsular Malaysia, surpassing its initial projection of 18 locations within 2025, as demand and brand interest continue to build.
Planned openings in Sabah and Sarawak remain on track for the first quarter of Q1 2026, promising customers across Malaysia have convenient access to sales, service, and support.
