iCar V25 range-extended SUV opens pre-sales in China from 139,800 yuan ($20,800)

• iCar V25 starts pre-sales in China from 139,800 yuan ($20,800), with an official launch expected later this year.
• The new model retains the brand's boxy design and is iCar's second extended-range vehicle after the flagship V27.

Chery's (HKEX: 9973) new energy vehicle (NEV) brand iCar has opened pre-sales for the V25, expanding its lineup with an extended-range SUV smaller than the flagship V27.

The mid-size SUV began pre-sales in China on Monday, with prices starting at 139,800 yuan ($20,800). It is available in 4 variants with rear- or all-wheel drive.

The rear-wheel-drive Pro and Max variants have pre-sale prices of 139,800 yuan and 149,800 yuan, respectively, while the all-wheel-drive Max+ and Ultra are priced at 163,800 yuan and 175,800 yuan.

Pre-sale offers include a 1,000 yuan reservation payment that counts toward 3,000 yuan of the final purchase balance, along with a limited-time 2,000 yuan credit toward selected customization packages.

The V25 made its debut on August 14, when iCar said it expected an official launch in the fourth quarter of this year. The prices announced now are pre-sale prices.

The new model is iCar's second extended-range vehicle after the V27, which launched in China in March and is the brand's largest model.

The V25 uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine as a range extender. The rear-wheel-drive version has a 185 kW (248 hp) electric motor, while the all-wheel-drive version has 2 motors delivering a combined 335 kW.

The rear-wheel-drive version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, compared with 5.8 seconds for the all-wheel-drive version. Their CLTC electric ranges are 210 km and 200 km, respectively.

Combined CLTC ranges are 1,240 km for the rear-wheel-drive version and 1,210 km for the all-wheel-drive version. Charging the battery from 30% to 80% takes 15 minutes.

The V25 retains the V23's retro, boxy styling but has a larger body, measuring 4,636 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width and 1,855 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm.

Designed for light off-road use, it has a minimum ground clearance of 197 mm and a maximum wading depth of 600 mm. A side-opening tailgate and an external 22.7-liter storage box sit at the rear.

For driver assistance, the V25 offers the Falcon 700+ system, powered by Horizon Robotics's (HKEX: 9660) Journey 6P chip with 560 TOPS of computing power.

The system supports urban and highway navigation assistance, as well as cruising and parking assistance in underground garages. Drivers must monitor road conditions at all times and remain ready to take over.

The cabin features a 15.4-inch central touchscreen with CarPlay, HiCar and Carlink smartphone connectivity, while retaining physical buttons. The front seatbacks can recline flat to create more space for resting.

The pre-sale launch comes as iCar expands overseas. The brand plans to enter the UK in early 2027 under its overseas name, iCaur, with the V27 as its first model.