This small Chinese Defender costs only 15,000 euros!

The Chery iCar V23, a true miniature Land Rover Defender, is likely to be a hit with a young and trendy clientele.

If the Chinese manufacturer Chery is no longer unfamiliar to you, what about Xiaomi, which is currently shaking up the electric market with its sensational SU7? So when the two team up on a small SUV project, we can be sure it’s going to be exciting! This also guarantees that this attractive iCar V23 is anything but junk.

Available in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the V23 measures 4,220 mm long with a wheelbase of 2,730 mm thanks to ultra-short overhangs. This size is ideal for navigating the city, but with a 40-degree approach angle, it’s not afraid to leave urban paths and tackle some off-road challenges. With batteries supplied by CATL, it boasts a maximum range of 500 km on the Chinese cycle, translating to a respectable 400 km once tested under WLTP standards. The entry-level two-wheel-drive version is expected to come with a smaller battery providing 300 km of range for exclusive road use.

Plagiarism or inspiration, it doesn’t matter when it’s well done

Well-boxed, it showcases a robust silhouette that obviously recalls the iconic Defender, especially with the optional 21-inch wheels. If it’s going to assert itself as an adventurer, it might as well draw inspiration from the ultimate reference. However, there are also hints of the Toyota Land Cruiser in its grille and lighting signature, and its rear lights strikingly resemble those of the Mercedes G-Class. Inspiration or imitation, everyone will see what they want, but this charming little detail really suits it well.

The iCar V23 will be launched in China starting at 120,000 yuan, which is just over 15,000 euros. And we’ve saved the best for last… It will also be sold outside of China, and certainly in Europe. But not at that price, unfortunately.

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