A boxy external storage unit replaces the spare wheel
In the quiet corridors of Pune's automotive certification facility, a camouflaged electric SUV from China's Chery has appeared — a small but telling sign that India's electric vehicle landscape is preparing for another chapter. Backed by the industrial weight of JSW Motors, the iCar V23 is moving through the formal processes that precede a public debut, arriving at a moment when the market's appetite for rugged electric vehicles is sharpening. Its presence at ARAI is less a headline than a harbinger — the kind of quiet institutional step that precedes the louder announcements to come.
- A camouflaged Chery iCar V23 prototype has been confirmed at India's ARAI testing facility in Pune, signaling that homologation — the gateway to legal road sales — is already underway.
- The JSW Motors partnership gives Chery a credible local anchor, but the delayed Jetour T2 has reshuffled the launch order, potentially pushing the iCar V23 to the front of the queue.
- The vehicle's angular, off-road-ready silhouette, 540-degree camera system, and dual powertrain options position it as a direct challenger to the Mahindra Thar Electric, which is already generating significant consumer anticipation.
- With a claimed range of 401 to 510 kilometers and outputs spanning 136hp to 211hp across RWD and AWD variants, the iCar V23 arrives with competitive specifications — though pricing and which variants reach India remain unresolved.
A camouflaged prototype of Chery's iCar V23 electric SUV has been spotted at India's Automotive Research Association facility in Pune — the first confirmed sighting of the vehicle on Indian soil and a strong indicator that a domestic launch is approaching. The testing process at ARAI is a necessary step before any vehicle can be sold to the public, and its presence there suggests Chery is moving with purpose.
The effort is being carried forward through a partnership with JSW Motors, the passenger vehicle division of the JSW Group. Industry sources suggest the iCar V23 may now arrive ahead of the Jetour T2, another Chery model that has slipped from its originally planned second-half 2026 debut.
Even beneath its heavy camouflage, the prototype reveals a vehicle built with attitude — tall and angular, with round headlights and a front end that hints at off-road ambition. At 4,220mm long with a 2,735mm wheelbase and ground clearance between 205 and 210mm, it carries the proportions of something designed for more than city streets. A boxy external storage unit replaces the traditional rear-mounted spare tire, and wheels range from 19 to 21 inches.
Inside, black trim with yellow accents frames a 15.4-inch central touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside physical controls for climate and audio. Front seats are powered and ventilated, reclining fully to benefit rear passengers. Safety provisions include a 540-degree surround camera, advanced driver assistance systems, and disc brakes at all four corners.
Globally, the iCar V23 comes in two forms: a 136hp rear-wheel-drive variant with a 59.93kWh battery and 401km of claimed range, and a 211hp all-wheel-drive version with an 81.76kWh battery stretching to 510km. Which configurations will reach Indian buyers — and at what price — has yet to be confirmed. But with Mahindra's Thar Electric already drawing considerable attention, Chery's quiet appearance in Pune signals that the competition is taking shape.
A camouflaged prototype of Chery's iCar V23 electric SUV has turned up at India's Automotive Research Association facility in Pune, a testing ground where vehicles are put through the certification process before they're cleared for sale to the public. The sighting marks the first confirmed appearance of the vehicle in India and suggests the company is moving toward a domestic launch.
The timing matters because of who's backing the effort. Chery has partnered with JSW Motors, the passenger vehicle arm of the JSW Group, to bring its products to Indian buyers. Industry sources indicate the iCar V23-based electric SUV could be among the first vehicles to arrive under this arrangement. The Jetour T2, another model in the pipeline, was originally scheduled to debut in the second half of 2026 but has been pushed back, potentially clearing the way for the iCar V23 to arrive sooner.
Even under its heavy wrapping, the prototype shows the vehicle's essential character: a tall, angular body with round headlights framed by a solid front end that hints at off-road capability. The dimensions tell you what kind of vehicle this is—4,220 millimeters long, 1,915 millimeters wide, 1,845 millimeters tall, with a 2,735-millimeter wheelbase. Ground clearance sits somewhere between 205 and 210 millimeters, giving it the stance of something built to handle rough terrain. The design includes side steps for easier entry, door handles you pull rather than push, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. At the back, instead of a traditional spare tire mounted on the bumper, there's a boxy external storage unit attached to a side-hinged tailgate.
Inside, the cabin uses black trim with yellow accents on the air vents and door nets. A 15.4-inch touchscreen sits at the center of the dashboard and works with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the vehicle keeps physical buttons for climate control and audio. The steering wheel has roller-type switches built into the spokes. The front seats can be powered and ventilated, and they recline fully to give rear passengers more legroom. The rear seats split and fold to expand cargo space. You also get multiple drive modes, a seven-speaker sound system, three USB ports, and a PM2.5 air filter to clean the cabin air.
Safety features include advanced driver assistance systems, a 540-degree camera that gives you a complete view around the vehicle, parking sensors, disc brakes on all four wheels, tire-pressure monitoring, and an electronic parking brake with automatic hold.
Globally, Chery offers the iCar V23 in two configurations. The base version produces 136 horsepower, drives the rear wheels, and carries a 59.93-kilowatt-hour battery that delivers a claimed range of 401 kilometers on the CLTC test cycle. The higher-spec model generates 211 horsepower, sends power to all four wheels, and pairs with an 81.76-kilowatt-hour battery good for 510 kilometers of range under the same testing standard. Which versions make it to India, and at what price, remains to be seen. But the presence of this prototype at ARAI suggests the company is serious about competing in a market where Mahindra's upcoming Thar Electric is already drawing attention.
Notable Quotes
The iCar V23-based EV could be among the first products introduced under the JSW Motors partnership, following the Jetour T2.— Industry reports
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does a prototype at a testing facility matter so much? Isn't this just routine certification work?
It is routine, but the location is the signal. ARAI is where vehicles go when a company has decided to sell them here. It's not speculation anymore—it's process.
And the JSW partnership changes things how?
JSW has distribution, service networks, and credibility in India. Chery alone would be starting from zero. With JSW, the vehicle arrives with infrastructure already in place.
The Jetour delay—is that a problem or an opportunity?
It's an opportunity. The iCar V23 gets to establish itself without internal competition. JSW can focus resources on making one launch work well instead of juggling two.
What makes this vehicle different from other electric SUVs coming to India?
The rugged design language. Most EVs here are trying to look sleek and modern. This one looks like it could actually go off-road. That appeals to a different buyer.
The range numbers—401 to 510 kilometers—how do those stack up?
They're competitive. Not class-leading, but solid for a vehicle this size. The real question is what the Indian pricing will be and whether those ranges hold up in real-world driving.
So what are we watching for now?
The official announcement. Once JSW and Chery confirm the launch timeline and pricing, you'll know whether this is a serious threat to Mahindra's Thar Electric or just another option in a crowded segment.