First shown in Malaysia at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, the Jaecoo J6 has now been confirmed to arrive here on our shores – but not as a Jaecoo model. Instead, it’ll be branded under yet another Chery sub-brand here in Malaysia, to be called the iCar 03.
According to a source close to the matter, the new iCar sub-brand will be officially launched in Malaysia sometime this year, with three models already planned for Malaysia, including both fully electric (EV) and range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) models.
Intriguingly, the model is actually sold under the iCar brand in China, but it was rebranded as a Jaecoo model for export purposes (as seen in Thailand), presumably for brand recognition purposes. It does look wildly different to the other Jaecoo models, however, with a boxy, more rugged Defender-like design, rather than the sleek and smooth looks of the Jaecoo SUVs.
The car shown during the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 was wearing the iCar badge, too, although it was displayed at the Jaecoo booth, with the “J6” nameplate plastered on the model.
In EV form, the iCar 03 is offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive guises, the former with a single motor making 181 hp and 220 Nm, paired to a 65.69 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, while the latter adds another motor on the front axle to bring the outputs up to 275 hp and 385 Nm, alongside a bigger 69.77 kWh battery.
The iCar 03T was also mentioned, essentially a souped up 03 with a more aggressive design, plus improved performance.
Another model that will make an appearance in Malaysia is the iCar V23, which is currently offered in China as an EV, but a REEV model has already been spied undergoing testing. As an EV, the iCar V23 is also offered in both RWD and AWD guises, the former with 136 hp and 180 Nm, and the latter getting a total of 211 hp and 292 Nm. Specifications for the REEV model is not yet available.
With the introduction of the new brand name, Chery will have four separate sub-brands operating largely independently here in Malaysia, including Chery, Jaecoo, Jetour, and now iCar.
Recently, Chery Auto Malaysia announced an investment worth RM2.2 billion, for the construction of the Chery Smart Auto Industrial Park in Hulu Selangor.
RELATED: 2024 Jaecoo J6 EV debuts in Malaysia, Defender replica with 501km range
