South Africa is set to receive two new 4×4 SUVs, but you’ll have to wait a while before you can get your hands on either of them.
The Chinese automaker iCar recently announced that it will launch in South Africa by early 2026, ushering in a host of brand-new SUVs capable of venturing off the beaten track.
The company has already confirmed that our market will receive its first two products – the 03 and the V23 – but there is even more still in the pipeline.
At a recent event hosted by Chery in Wuhu, China, TopAuto was given the opportunity to preview iCar’s next two products – the 03T and the V25.
These two models are still in early development and won’t be shown to the public for some time, but a spokesperson for the brand told TopAuto that both cars are scheduled for an international release.
Considering that iCar is launching in South Africa in an official capacity and that we are already getting the 03 and V23, it’s safe to assume that the 03T and the V25 will eventually make a local appearance as well.
Electric 4x4s
iCar is a sub-brand of the Chery Automotive Group that specializes in compact electric SUVs that are primarily aimed at younger audiences.
The “0” and “V” designations of the 03 and V23 refer to the company’s two main vehicle lines, with the former representing urban SUVs while the latter is more off-road focused.
The same can be said of the upcoming 03T and the V25, which are the larger counterparts to their respective series.
TopAuto had the chance to view these vehicles in person in China, however the media was not permitted to take photos as the cars are still in development.
Unfortunately, this also means that there are no concrete details regarding the cars’ powertrains, but a company representative was able to shed more light on what we can expect.
As mentioned, iCar is an electric brand, which means the default option will be a battery-electric (BEV) powerplant.
As a point of reference, the iCar 03 coming to South Africa will be sold with one of two drivetrains, starting with a front-mounted electric motor with 135kW and 220Nm.
It also has a more powerful option with a second e-motor over the rear axle, which raises the output to 205kW and 385Nm.
Additionally, there are three different battery options with varying driving ranges, which are as follows:
- 50.63kWh – 400km
- 66kWh – 472km
- 70kWh – 500km
The 03T is meant to be a larger and tougher version of the 03, which means the dual-motor option may be a possibility, assuming the company doesn’t create a new powertrain altogether.
One interesting aspect to note about both the 03T and the V25 is that they will feature V2L (vehicle to load) charging, allowing owners to use the battery to power small appliances.
The other drivetrain planned for the SUVs is a range-extender hybrid (REEV), which uses a petrol engine as a generator for the on-board battery, which in turn powers electric motors driving the wheels.
The main advantage of an REEV is that it has a much greater range than a BEV, as many are capable of travelling for over 1,000km between top-ups.
Design
The V25 and 03T share the same design profile as their smaller siblings, keeping in line with iCar’s aesthetic of blocky SUVs that pay homage to the 4x4s of the last millennium.
That being said, the larger cars generally had more muscular proportions – likely as a way to emphasize their stature compared to the rest of the iCar roster.
In the case of all four vehicles, you can expect the same key features such as LED headlights, leather upholstery, a wireless charging pad, automatic climate control, and a large infotainment screen that dominates the dashboard.
The urban-focused 0 models have a sleeker profile with slim vertical headlights and daytime running lights, while the V units have chunkier off-road tyres and circular headlamps similar to what you might see on a Toyota Prado or a Land Rover Defender.
Both cars are also offered with various accessories, from roof rails and sunroofs to side steps and external storage boxes.
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