iCar, the lifestyle-focused electric vehicle (EV) sister brand of Chery, has been confirmed for launch in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027, when it will bring a new wave of electrified off-roaders aimed at younger buyers.
Speaking to CarExpert during a recent drive event near the company’s headquarters in Wuhu, China, an iCar product manager confirmed preparations are well underway to introduce the brand in both markets early next year.
The brand is expected to be renamed ‘iCaur’ locally due to trademark conflicts with Apple, and was originally launched in China in 2023 as a dedicated EV offshoot of Chery.
Positioned as more rugged and design-led alternatives to mainstream EVs, iCar’s boxy SUVs are set to rival affordable electric offerings from fellow Chinese auto brands like MG and BYD, while also appealing to buyers of traditional off-roaders such as the Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler.
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The local lineup is expected to be headlined by the iCar V27, which debuted in right-hand drive form at the 2026 Beijing motor show last Friday (April 24).
The V27 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) that pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The engine acts as a generator rather than directly driving the wheels.
In all-wheel drive guise, the V27 features a 34kWh battery offering a claimed 150km of electric-only driving range, and a total range of up to 995km (NEDC).
Total system outputs are quoted at 335kW of power and 505Nm of torque, enabling a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds for the 2355kg large SUV.
Measuring 5045mm long, 1976mm wide and 1894mm high, the V27 is larger than the new Denza B5 off-road SUV recently launched by BYD, and also bigger than the Land Rover Defender 110. And its exterior design appears to have been at least somewhat inspired by the British off-roader.
A second iCar model, the V25, is expected to follow after launch. Still under development and due for reveal in mid-2026, it will be slightly smaller at around 4800mm in length, but will also adopt EREV powertrain technology.
In its home market, iCar already offers two fully electric models: the 03 and V23. The latter has drawn comparisons to the Suzuki Jimny thanks to its compact, boxy proportions and off-road capability.
The V23 features an 81kWh battery, produces 155kW and 292Nm, and has a claimed driving range of 430km. While not yet confirmed for Australia, it’s understood the model is a strong candidate for local introduction once right-hand drive production begins in 2027.
The rollout of the iCar/iCaur brand Down Under is expected to align with the start of right-hand drive V27 production in the first quarter of 2027, and the brand’s launch model lineup and dealer network details are due to be announced in the third quarter of 2026.
iCar’s local launch was previously confirmed to CarExpert at the 2025 Shanghai motor show, where Chery International president Zhang Guibing said extended-range powertrains (dubbed by iCar as REVs) would be more suitable than EVs for the longer distance travelled by Australians.
“iCar launched in China as an EV [brand]. But very quickly we will introduce REVs. The REV will address range anxiety, so I’m sure Australian customers will appreciate it,” said Mr Guibing.
“We are trying to make a difference. iCar is a completely different brand for Chery, and in the future we want to provide a different experience to different customers.”
Apart from its existing namesake brand and Omoda Jaecoo, which hope to become top-five and top-10 auto brands in Australia by the end of next year respectively, Chery will also launch the Lepas and Jetour brands here this year, and the Freelander and iCaur brands here in 2027.
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