Possibly the coolest car of 2024 drops at an astoundingly affordable price point with both rear- and all-wheel drive variants on offer.
iCAR has officially launched its third fully electric model, the iCAR V23, with prices starting at just RMB 99,800 (£10,700 / $13,700) for the base model.
The compact four-seater SUV, which blends retro elements with chunky modern styling, will be available in three different versions boasting ranges of 301, 401, and 501 km on the CLTC cycle with the flagship dual-motor variant topping out at RMB 139,800 (£15,100 / $19,200).
Both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive variants will be offered, with the rear motor boasting a modest 100kW of power and 180Nm of torque, while dual-motor versions add a 55kW motor with an extra 112Nm of torque, for 155kW and 292Nm combined.
Given that modest power, iCAR shows acceleration speeds as 0-50kph, with 4.8 seconds for single-motor variants and 3.5 seconds for the dual-motor option.
Single-motor versions pack either a 47.28kWh or 59.93kWh LFP battery, while the dual-motor gets a heftier 81.76kWh NMC battery.
Charging takes less than 30 minutes from 30 to 80 percent with fast-charging, though the exact charging speed hasn’t been disclosed, while V2L functionality up to 3.3kW is also offered.
At just 4,220mm in length, 1,915 mm in width, 1,845 mm in height, and with a wheel-in-all-corners stance giving a wheelbase of 2,735mm, the V23 is quite a bit smaller than a BYD Yuan Plus (Atto 3), but considerably larger than a Suzuki Jimny.
It features a smart cabin with a large 15.4-inch central screen running the Snapdragon 8155 chip, as well as a Horizon Robotics Journey 3 chip to support the ADAS features.
Announced earlier this year, pre-orders hit an impressive 31,000 units in just 8 hours after order books opened, and it’s no surprise why.
The boxy yet retro stance, combined with large wheels, a 210mm ground clearance, and 43- and 41-degree approach and departure angles, make the V23 one of the most eye-catching cars to come out of China, while rear five-link suspension and optional chunky tyres mean the V23 should have the ability to match its looks when the tough stuff comes.
Fold flat rear seats unlock up to 744-litres of space in the practical square trunk with side-hinged door, while there’s an extra 90-litres under the boot floor, but no frunk.
iCAR wants customers to personalise their cars in their own way and so offers 24 modular attachment points to change things such as bumpers, roof bars, and even things like a mount on the dashboard for an action camera.
Early customers will get a lifetime warranty on the vehicle and th
