Key highlights
- JSW-Chery iCar V23 EV to get AWD in India
- It will be the first electric mass-market off-roader in India
- Likely to be offered with an 81.76 kWh NMC battery pack
JSW-Chery collaboration is soon going to launch its new range of NEVs or new-age electric vehicles in India. Out of these new models, one will be the iCar V23, which is an electric mid-size off-roader SUV that is sold in the international market. A new online report claims that JSW will introduce the V23 in all-wheel drive guise.
iCar V23: What do we know so far?
JSW will soon enter the Indian automotive manufacturing market as a new car brand. Unlike JSW MG, it will start its own brand that is expected to launch by this festive season. For this, JSW has collaborated with Chery Automobile, which is a leading carmaker in China.
While JSW will initially launch the rebadged Jetour T2 and Jaecoo J5, its third model will be the iCar V23 EV. The V23 is a mid-size electric off-roader, which is positioned between the Maruti Jimny and Mahindra Thar Roxx, if compared in size. A new report released by Autocar India states that the V23 will be launched with an all-wheel drive configuration.
In the global market, the V23 gets FWD and AWD options. The AWD version is powered by an 81.76 kWh NMC battery pack, which offers 430 km of range and 211 bhp/292 Nm. It can do 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 140 km/h. The Indian-spec V23 could get the same powertrain, as the previously spotted test mules look similar to the global-spec car.
The test mules that have been spotted till now look identical to the international model. The V23 features a boxy silhouette with modern design bits, including the sharp LED DRLs with oval LED headlights, dual-tone alloys, a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and a blanked-off rear-quarter glass area. Its design is one of its USPs in the global market, and the same reason is expected to pull sales in India.
JSW is likely to launch the V23 by the end of this year, or around the festive season this year. It is expected to be priced around Rs 20 lakh.
