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 – you can start placing your bookings too.
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, which we are not getting. 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, there is no 8.88-inch circular display that sits on a column like in units sold in China. Instead, driving information takes up a good portion of the infotainment screen. This also means there’s quite a bit of unused space behind the four-spoke steering wheel with unlabelled controls. The only things you’ll find are an image of an off-roading V23 embossed on the dash insert, which is accompanied by a ‘Born to Play’ plaque and headlamp adjustment dial.
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.
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this is how to build a reliable quality car at a reasonable affordable price unlike those landrover rangerrover tata
This is not a prototype?
While others still trying to show a concept with assumed specification.
I am totally surprised after seeing a bunch of continental and JDM concept and prototype then see this is selling in Malaysia? Maybe dejavu, come from the future.
i guess ccp must have invented a time machine to travel to the future and copy their own future design
fantastic i-class,
it’s grip and climbing skills is fantastic.
According to China market, isn’t this cheaper than the 03?
Nice but optimistic prices la
one-quarter the price of evoque
Inilah kereta yang kita suka. Penampilan yang sangat customizable utk camping, offroad dll. Pasti banya bodykit dan macam2 accessories tapi harga rahmah. Thank you iCaur
“The newer offering retains the 59.93-kWh LFP battery but the NMC option is replaced with an 80.16-kWh LFP unit.” Why bring the old version to Malaysia market for the top range?
In the past LFP is always deemded as less superior to NMC due to less energy density on same weight, LFP always 25% less density. But the new Super V23 is now with 80.16kw for LFP which is only 2% less than NMC.
NMC is recommended to charge up to 80% always (charge 100% will hurt the battery), while LFP can always charge up to 100% (still hurt battery but much lesser than NMC). It means Super V23 LFP 80.16kw is more usefully than the old V23 NMC 81.76kw.
Btw NMC is now getting less favour and attractive nowadays. Super V23 (in China) and Xpeng G6 in Malaysia is now having new breakthrough LFP battery that can squeeze more energy and very close to NMC type.
only consider if its super V23 version….