Update: Introduction and Price & Release Date sections revised.
Reports in the British media confirm that Chinese automaker Chery Auto is planning to launch the iCaur brand (called ‘iCar’ in China) in the UK with the V23 electric SUV.
According to a report from The Independent, the company could launch the SUV in Britain in the next 12 months as part of its wider European expansion strategy.
Retailers, who recently attended a Chery International Business Summit, are reportedly already planning for the arrival of the electrified Jeep-inspired vehicles. Autocar UK earlier reported similar launch plans, placing the UK launch in 2026.
Not long ago, we had an opportunity to take a close look at the new EV in a bold ‘Cyberspace Edition’ in Asia, and here are some interesting observations we made:
Design
The iCaur V23 Cyberspace Edition has a retro-style exterior. A squarish body, round headlamps, a high-set, flattish bonnet, a straight beltline, and squarish windows are some of its authentic SUV elements.
The high ground clearance and high-clearance bumpers featuring angled edges indicate that the EV packs some off-road capability.
The name ‘Cyberspace Edition’ would make one imagine futuristic styling, but it’s the opposite here. The EV has dollops of chrome, reminding us of old-school transport vehicles like Jeepneys and Tuk-Tuks used in Southeast Asian countries. That said, we noticed that it’s all high-quality work, displaying a high level of detail and precision.
A wide chrome panel integrates a mesh-pattern exposed upper grille featuring “Cyberspace” branding and a frame for the headlamps and turn indicators. It extends onto the sides as a trim for the front wheel arch extensions.
Also worth noting on the sides are chrome-plated side steps, a branded chrome badge above the turn indicators, chrome rear wheel arch extension trim, and chrome-plated roof ladders.
Up top, the roof rails, crossbars, light bar mount, and off-road lights are chrome-plated to go with the theme. The roof rails also feature a plaque with the “Cyberspace” inscription.
Interior
The old-school SUV-inspired character is seen on the inside, too, in elements such as pillar-mounted assist handles to aid ingress and egress, an upright dashboard with vertically positioned outer air vents, round dials, and classic switches, a squarish centre pad in the round steering wheel, and boxy cubby storage spaces.
Yellow accents give the interior a slightly funky look, although they are part of the standard interior. There are no Cyberspace Edition-exclusive styling or functional changes here.
The iCaur V23 features a 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-way (driver-side)/4-way (passenger-side) power-adjustable front seats with a ventilation function, and a 50:50-split, flat-folding rear seat. The brand claims there are 48 buttons and more than 20 flexible storage spaces throughout the vehicle.
Experience in the iCaur V23
Ingress and egress require some effort, as expected from a tall, off-road-oriented SUV, though the side steps help. I am 5’7” tall, and I had around six inches of headroom in the front. The front seat offers adequate under-thigh support and good back support.
The upright windscreen provides a commanding forward view. Rear visibility is good, but rear-diagonal visibility is restricted by the wide C-pillars.
The rear of the cabin also feels spacious. I had more than 10 inches of knee room and good legroom. The floor is completely flat. Under-thigh support is adequate, and the seat reclines to a comfortable angle.
The headrest provides good support. There is no fold-out centre armrest, no USB ports, and no rear AC vents. Only a small storage space is provided, and this is an area that needs careful attention when iCaur configures the UK-spec V23.
Specifications
The iCaur V23 Cyberspace Edition measures 4,220 mm in length, 1,915 mm in width, and 1,845 mm in height and has a 2,735 mm wheelbase. It offers 210 mm of ground clearance and has a 43º approach angle and a 41º departure angle.
The special edition model has no mechanical changes and comes with two motors that provide AWD capability, 155 kW (208 bhp) of total power, and 292 Nm (215 lb.-ft.) of total torque. An 81.76 kWh NMC battery pack delivers a CLTC range of 501 kilometres (311 miles).
The regular iCaur V23 is available in multiple single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD variants. While there’s no confirmation yet, we expect iCaur to consider its single-motor RWD variant with 185 kW (248 bhp) and 300 Nm (221 lb.-ft.) of torque, and its high-spec dual-motor AWD variant with 335 kW (449 bhp) and 490 Nm (361 lb.-ft.) of torque for the British market.
If these specifications are finalised for the UK, a standard 80.16 kWh LFP battery pack should deliver a WLTP range of around 275 miles in the former and around 250 miles in the latter.
Price & Release Date
Also See: UK-bound iCaur V23 displays retro SUV charm in this ‘Brown Edition’
The iCaur V23 should go on sale in the UK in 2027, and we’ll have to see if special custom packages like the Cyberspace Edition are offered in the British market. We think that it would compete with the likes of the Jeep Avenger Electric, BYD Atto 2, Kia EV3, and Volvo EX30 Cross Country, priced at around GBP 30,000.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
