Chery, a leading Chinese automaker, is expanding its reach with the iCaur brand, introducing a new off-road SUV called the V27. This vehicle is directly aiming to compete with established icons like the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser, and could potentially arrive in UK showrooms as early as next year.
Design and Size
The iCaur V27 is the largest offering in the nascent iCaur lineup. While its design borrows cues from its competitors, the V27 is slightly smaller in length and width compared to the Defender 110. The exterior design showcases a rugged aesthetic suitable for off-road adventures.
Powertrain: Range-Extender Technology
The V27 utilizes a novel range-extender powertrain. This system combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and either one or two electric motors. Importantly, the petrol engine doesn’t directly power the wheels; instead, it generates electricity to feed the electric motors. The dual-motor configuration produces a substantial 449bhp.
Electric Range and Combined Range
The V27 boasts a claimed electric-only range of 124 miles, based on China’s CLTC testing standard. It’s important to note that CLTC figures typically provide a more optimistic range than the WLTP standard used in Europe, so real-world driving range may differ. However, when the petrol tank is full and the 33kWh battery is charged, the V27 is capable of exceeding 621 miles (1000km) on a single fill-up.
UK Arrival and Pricing
While pricing in China starts around the equivalent of £27,000, the iCaur V27 would likely be considerably more expensive if introduced to the UK market. Autocar has reported that the iCaur brand (renamed from iCar to avoid trademark conflicts with Apple) is anticipated to arrive in the UK next year.
iCaur’s Rising Popularity and Sibling Brands
The arrival of the V27 builds on the growing momentum of iCaur’s parent company, Chery. Chery’s sibling brands, Omoda and Jaecoo, have already established a presence in the UK and are proving popular with consumers. Notably, the Jaecoo 7 recently outsold the Nissan Qashqai, a strong indicator of Chery’s growing traction in the UK market.
Future Plans: V25 and Fusilier Connection
Beyond the V27, Chery has plans for other models. The smaller iCaur V25 is also slated for a UK launch next year. Moreover, the underlying platform of the V27 is reportedly being considered for use in the upcoming Ineos Fusilier, a move that would help accelerate the development of that new SUV.
The introduction of the iCaur V27 marks an ambitious move by Chery, signaling a growing confidence in the brand’s ability to compete in the global SUV market and challenging established players in the segment.
The iCaur V27 offers a unique combination of off-road capability, electric efficiency, and potentially competitive pricing. Its arrival in the UK would provide consumers with another option in the popular SUV segment and demonstrates the increasing globalization of the automotive industry. It remains to be seen if the V27 can truly challenge the Defender and Land Cruiser, but its emergence is certainly noteworthy.
