The Chery iCar V23 has been spotted testing in India once again, this time near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Unlike the previously seen footage, which highlighted its size and stance, this latest test mule takes a better look at the design behind it and real-world ongoing highway testing. Kudos to automotive enthusiast Shivneet Singh for sharing these exclusive spy shots.
Rear design details come into focus
One of the main attractions in this view is the rear, which appears to have a more square and straight layout. Although still quite hidden, the tailgate looks flat with a clean design theme.
The tail lamps appear to be located lower than expected, possibly integrated into the bumper area, although the final production elements are still secret. The overall rear stance looks quite functional and strong, which is in line with its lifestyle SUV positioning.
Still in early testing phase?
The test mule was running on steel wheels, which typically indicates early-stage prototypes or lower-spec test units. This suggests that Cherry and JSW are still in the validation phase and fine-tuning many aspects before revealing the final production version. The heavy camouflage all over the body also hints that the final design details for the India-spec model have not been finalized yet.
JSW-Cherry plans for India
JSW Motors, which is setting up its manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, is expected to launch several products in collaboration with Chery Automobiles. While a plug-in hybrid SUV (likely based on the Jetour T2) may be the first launch, the iCar V23 is one of the major EVs planned for India. The model will likely be assembled locally and may get a different name for the Indian market.
what to expect
Globally, the iCar V23 is positioned as a rugged electric SUV with single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD configurations. Battery options range from around 47 kWh to over 80 kWh, with a claimed range of up to 500 km (CLTC). For India, the specifications are yet to be confirmed, but a similar multi-variant approach is expected.
With testing now spotted at multiple locations, the development of the iCar V23 for India seems to be progressing steadily. JSW’s manufacturing facility is expected to begin operations by August 2026, which may align with the launch at the end of the year. Once introduced, it will target the emerging lifestyle SUV segment, competing with upcoming electric SUVs from Mahindra and others.
