EREV iCaur V25 possible for Australia

A range-extender version of the iCaur V25 – the Chery-owned brand’s debut model for the Australian market – could be on the cards for a local release following the launch of the fully-electric version early next year according to its head of brand for Australia Kate Gillis.

Slated for arrival in early-2027 in battery electric form, the iCaur V25 is an all-wheel drive, monocoque-based “boxy SUV that's been made from ground up with new energy” in mind, which according to Ms Gillis makes it “category definer.”

The fully-electric SUV was unveiled publicly in Australia at the recent Everything Electric show in Sydney, joined on the Chery Group stand by both new and currently-offered vehicles from the now five-strong local brand line-up.

However, when the V25 launches in China in Q4 of this year, a range-extender (EREV) variant will be offered in its home market.

The EREV’s powertrain comprises a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 33.68kWh battery, allowing for an electric only range of between 145 and 150km on the WLTC cycle depending on the variant.

Speaking with GoAuto at Everything Electric, Ms Gillis explained that the EREV offered overseas is a sign of things to come for the V25 line-up in Australia.

“So, what you see overseas will give you a good sort of indication of what's coming. So from an iCaur perspective, everything will be born EV. So a BEV will be the basis.”

“There is a range extender, which is available overseas, that has got a small petrol engine, and that petrol engine's only role is to charge the battery. It doesn't power the wheels at all. Everything will be electric, as opposed to having a combustion engine that then drives the vehicle,” she said.

When asked if the range-extender powertrain was on the cards for an Australian launch, Ms Gillis explained that it will be on the brand’s “consideration set.”

“Currently, (the EREV) is available overseas, so for Australia, we'll have it on our consideration set when we get closer to launch,” she said.

“We'll be looking at it as part of the overall brand because it is available overseas. There's no denying that. We'll look at it in consideration for this market when the time comes.”

While the V25 is unique in that it will be the only all-wheel drive “boxy” electric SUV available in the Australian market according to Ms Gillis, range extender powertrains are becoming increasingly common in the mid-size SUV segment which it will also occupy.

Leapmotor launched the range-extender version of the C10 in March last year. More recently, Forthing launched the plug-in Range Extender Hybrid as a variant of its debut model.

The Chinese-sourced, incoming Ford Bronco Basecamp (which seems likely to be among the V25’s direct rivals) will offer a plug-in EREV powertrain when it lands in the second half of 2027, comprising a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 49kWh battery, and dual-motor all-wheel drive system. It has an expected total driving range between 800 and 900km on the WLTP cycle, although this will be confirmed closer to its release.

Full details of the incoming V25 are yet to be publicly announced.