The Indian automotive market is set to see a new automaker in the form of JSW Motors. This new unit will be based out of JSW MG Motor India’s region and will launch multiple NEVs (new energy vehicles) in partnership with China’s Chery Automobile. Ahead of its grand launch, JSW Motors is testing multiple vehicles simultaneously.
The Jetour T2 is said to be brought in via the CBU route, which does not require any testing but is required after a locally manufactured model. We are talking about Chery Jaecoo J5 and Chery iCar V23. Both these vehicles have been spotted testing together and the interiors of both have been revealed in the latest spy shots by automotive enthusiast Nitish Nagargoje who spotted them in Pune city.
Jakoo J5 and iCar V23
JSW Motors is setting up a production facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra state and is said to be assembling CKD kits of some Chery vehicles. For local production, testing and local homologation is required, which appears to be the case with the Jaecoo J5 and iCar V23. Both the vehicles were seen testing together in Pune city, where the ARAI certification body is based.
However, there are several spy shot examples where the exteriors of both the Jaecoo J5 and the iCar V23 have been seen. These recent spy shots show the interior of the India-spec Jaecoo J5 and iCar V23 vehicles. Both these vehicles may be renamed by JSW Motors for the Indian market and may also carry the JSW logo.
Jaiku J5 interior
Starting with the Jaecoo J5, it brings a minimalist interior with contemporary-style AC vents, all four arranged in a horizontal line, a 13.5-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen with climate control buttons, steering column mounted gear selector, a floating center console with storage and a neatly hidden LCD instrument cluster.
Leatherette upholstery, front center armrest, stylish steering wheel with touch-based controls, manually dimming IRVM, 50W fast wireless charging pad and other elements can be seen in these spy shots. Furthermore, these spy shots also include a lot of test equipment. It will have panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, powered seats, 8 speakers and more.
Powering the Jaecoo J5 will be a 60.9 kWh battery pack, coupled with a 210 PS electric motor to drive the front wheels. 461km NEDC range, 7.3s 0-100km/h sprint, 130kW peak DC charging, independent rear suspension, powered tailgate, 17 ADAS features, 540-degree cameras, 480L boot, 35L frunk, 200mm ground clearance, 18” alloys, 4,380mm length, 2,620 mm wheelbase and others worth mentioning.
iCar V23 interior
For starters, the variant that was recently spotted testing in Pune, looks like the base variant with steel wheels (19-inch in size). The alloy wheel variant (21-inch) of the iCar V23 has been spied earlier also. In terms of dimensions, the Chery iCar V23 measures 4,220 mm long, 1,915 mm wide, 1,845 mm tall and has a 2,735 mm long wheelbase. Ground clearance is up to 210 mm.
Globally, the iCar V23 is sold in three variants 2WD Play, 2WD Plus and 4WD Peak. Both 2WD variants get 19-inch steel wheels and one of them can be spied in India. Both 2WD variants get the smaller 59.93 kWh battery with 401 km CLTC range and the higher-spec 4WD Peak gets the 81.76 kWh battery with 501 km range.
Owing to its boxy silhouette, the iCar V23 gets a straightforward cabin with a 15.4-inch central infotainment touchscreen that integrates the instrumentation, speed sensing volume, 7 speakers, disconnected center console, gear selector on the steering column, powered and ventilated front seats and other features.