Articles by John Mahoney

Looks can be deceiving. The all-new iCaur V27 might appear to be a distant relative of the Mercedes G-wagen but beneath its rugged, good looks lurks a large SUV that's happier on-road than extreme overlanding out in the bush.On sale in Australia from February next year, the iCaur V27 will be the first of a full range of models that will also include a still-to-be-released smaller mid-size V25 and, later on in 2028 or 2029 the baby Suzuki Jimny-rivalling V23 should rock up.Proving to be a hit worldwide, in little more than two years the baby V23 has gone on to sell 160,000 and Chery hopes its huge popularity will translate over in Australia.Measuring in at 5045mm long, 1976mm wide and 1894mm tall, the V27 shares a footprint with the GWM Tank 500 and is a little bigger than the Denza B5 (4888mm long, 1970mm wide and 1920mm tall).It's the latter, that one exec from iCaur told CarsGuide is the real rival it is targeting Down Under.Which is a bit odd as on paper at least, the iCaur V27 isn't a real match.Not only is the V27 based on a more car-like monocoque, it lacks height-adjustable air suspension which means ground clearance is limited to a paltry 224mm. Both the approach (24-deg) and departure (23deg) angles are also severely lacking compared to the Denza's 39 degrees.iCaur says its V27 can wade water depths up to 600mm, a little off the 790mm the Denza B5 can traverse.Available with only a range-extender hybrid powertrain, in some markets a 185kW rear-wheel-drive version will be an option but in Australia we think we'll just get the all-wheel-drive V27.Unlike a typical plug-in hybrid, the small 1.5-litre four-cylinder combustion engine only acts a generator when the 34.3kWh battery is depleted. Combined with a pair of electric motors driving each axle, total power is 335kW, while torque is around 505Nm for a quick 0-100km/h dash of 5.9 seconds.That's more than a second adrift of the more powerful Denza B5 that can also tow 3000kg, compared to the 1600kg the V27 can haul.With a full charge, iCaur says the V27 can cover up to 150km on EV power alone on the NEDC test cycle, while a 60-litre tank extends the total range to around 995km.Usefully, the battery is capable of DC charging up to 60kW, although a 20-80 per cent top-up still takes around 30 minutes.Vehicle-to-load charging or powering of domestic appliances is also available at up to 6kW.Naturally, the chunky exterior styling is reflected within, with a stepped dashboard, large rotary dial and proper physical controls. Like other Chery brands, the driver gets a pillar-box slim 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, but taking pride of place is a freestanding 15.4-inch infotainment that's runs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor.Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.Like the smaller V23, there are toggle auxiliary switches on the roof ready for accessories like an additional light bar.Dual wireless chargers are also present, as well as 50 different storage compartments, and a large 715-litre boot that includes a hidden 40-litre compartment for valuables.Perhaps disappointingly, considering its size, a third row of seats isn't even an option but handily if you drop the second row you open up a cavernous near-two-metre-long load area with up to 1818 litres of space.It's hard not to like the twin-pane panoramic roof, plus the generous head- and legroom in the second row. Overall, the V27 impresses in and out.Giving us a limited chance to experience the iCaur V27 behind the wheel, we tested the large SUV over a muddy and slimy obstacle course with a car shod with grippier all-terrain tyres.As soon as we eased the V27 off the line, the first iCaur destined for Australia instantly impresses, mainly because of the nature of its powertrain as it feels just like an EV, as only the electric motors drive all four wheels.That means there is instant torque, with plenty of power off the line. Over the lumps and bumps the magnetic adaptive dampers did a good job of providing a decent ride.Driving only in a mud-friendly off-road mode (there's are eight other driving modes available), traction was remarkable thanks to its locking electronic rear differential, although grippier tyres probably did most of the heavy lifting.We weren't allowed to try the tank turn feature, nor even permitted to escape the facility and drive on public roads, so our first positive impressions should be taken with a healthy pinch of salt, but precise steering and those car-like underpinnings, proper multi-link rear suspension and the smooth, punchy powertrains bode well for Australians.If you tow heavy loads or go further off-road, the Denza B5, Land Rover Defender or default Toyota Prado will all prove a better bet, with the V27 only able to haul 1600kg (braked). For reference the B5 can tug 3000kg.There is no word on how iCaur will kit-out its flagship SUV locally, but expect a power tailgate, LED front and rear headlamps, electric-fold mirrors, a trick multi-colour ambient lighting and six-way adjust heated and ventilated synthetic seats to all be standard.With seven airbags, a 540-degree surround camera, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, front and rear collision alert and blind-spot warning, plus an advanced adaptive cruise control, iCaur has designed its V27 to achieve full marks in future Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing.iCaur has been timed to land just a few months after fellow Chery-owned Lepas will rock up in Australia. Even though there has been no official confirmation, we'd be amazed if the 4x4 brand didn't match the eight-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty Jaecoo models come with, even though it will be sold via a different dealer network.Locally, the V27 is priced from just 200,000 Chinese yuan (A$40,000), but it's not known what the range will kick off from. The insider told CarsGuide that its V27 will be positioned lower than the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990), with the prediction it could trouble small mid-size SUVs with a price tag of around $65,000 plus on-roads.

Chery one day hopes its fresh Lepas brand will evolve into a proper BMW or Mercedes-Benz rival.Until then, when sales kick off from late this year, it hopes that buyers of cars like its mid-size Lepas L6 will appreciate its European-inspired looks, classier cabin and advanced tech and pay a small premium of around five per cent over the equivalent Omoda or Jaecoo model.Getting off to the best possible start, the L6 introduces the brand's smooth curvy new design language that has been tailored to European buyers' tastes.Beneath the skin, the L6 is also on Chery's next-generation LEX platform and bags the Chinese car giant's EEA 5.1 electrics.When the Toyota RAV4-sized SUV lands Down Under it will be available with either a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or all-electric power.Before the end of the year, the L6 will be joined by a small L4 SUV that shares powertrains with its bigger brother, while later on in 2027 the larger L8 PHEV SUV will also land.Instead of sharing showroom space with Chery or Omoda Jaecoo, the Lepas brand will launch its own network of dealers.The brand separation is because Chery believes Lepas will attract different customers to the rest of its brands.Inside, the L6 looks like it shares hardware with the latest Jaecoo J5, sporting both the same 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a 13.2-inch infotainment, although the latter is mounted portrait style, rather than landscape in the J5.Below the screen is a slim strip of shortcut buttons that sit above a wireless charging pad and twin cupholders.The steering wheel is also lifted from the Chery parts bin, but the dash architecture is new and features a strip of vents that stretch from pillar to pillar.Premium materials like synthetic leather and a metallic-style dash finish attempt but ultimately fail to conjure up Audi levels of perceived quality but the L6 still feels a cut above other Chery models.Our car also had heated and ventilated synthetic leather seats that are comfortable on a long drive, while even with four up there's plenty of space within, with a pair of rear air vents and dual USB ports for rear passengers.Luggage space is also average for the class, although there's no wheel well beneath the boot floor.We had a brief spin in the new EV, which features a single motor that drives the front wheels and produces 178kW and 275Nm of torque for decent getaway off the line.The electric L6 also is a quiet and refined companion, although its 67kWh battery, 400-volt electrics and 450km WLTP range won't set new standards for range or charging speeds within its class.More time was spent behind the wheel of the plug-in hybrid L6 that also impressed with its levels of refinement which meant it was almost impossible to detect when the small 1.5-litre petrol kicked in.There's also brisk acceleration off the line and enough might to generate some unruly torque steer as the front tyres struggled, which is a shame.Another gripe of the PHEV powertrain is an unwanted thump occasionally at speed when breathing on the throttle.Featuring a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, the L6 has no excuses to not match the best in the class.To ensure it will be able to compete with its most talented rivals in the future Lepas will provide a special European suspension tune and, if the range of SUVs have a warm reception Down Under, buyers will also be treated to a local suspension tune.In China on smooth well-surfaced roads it was difficult to properly assess the L6's ride and drive other than to note it felt like engineers had opted for soft springs and reactive dampers that could be unnerved by speed bumps and the odd pothole.We think the steering could do with more tuning too, as it is overly light in Comfort mode and still pretty lifeless in Sport. When it comes to handling balance, unfortunately our driving route didn't include any proper country roads where we could explore the L6's handling balance. We'll have to wait until it lands on home turf.With clearly marked lanes, the Lepas driver assist tech was unobtrusive – which is a compliment – and even the muted speed limit assist didn't annoy too much, although the system desperately needs a shortcut to turn it all off, as it's fiddly and requires navigating through multiple menus.There's no word on what the Australian Lepas L6 line-up will look like but our car came with a heated front screen, panoramic sunroof (with a proper electric sunshade), an electric tailgate, dual-zone climate control, 50W wireless charger, synthetic leather six-way adjustable heated and ventilated electric seats, plus 360-degree surround view cameras all standard and a Sony sound system.While Lepas models are offered with a five-year/150,000km warranty in markets like South Africa, we'd be amazed if the new Chery brand didn't at least match the eight-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty Jaecoo models come with.It's been hotly tipped that when the Lepas L6 arrives in Australia it will command a five-10 per cent premium over the Jaecoo or Omoda models, which suggests a price point of at least $40,000 drive-away in Australia.

Think hybrid and you'll probably conjure a Toyota in your mind. After all, the Japanese car giant has been nothing short of a petrol-electric pioneer since the first Prius went on sale back in 1997, but now Chery is out to crush Toyota's hybrid dominance with its latest Super Hybrid System Hybrid (SHS-H) tech.Designed to be far more efficient than any of its rivals, while offering more power and higher levels of refinement, the first car to debut the new powertrain in Australia will be the Jaecoo J5, which should land in dealers in a matter of months.Not to be confused with the hybrid already slotted under the bonnet of sister brand Chery's Tiggo 4, the new SHS-H hybrid comes with an advanced 1.5-litre turbo petrol that, with a 44.5 per cent thermal efficiency, is capable of converting more precious fuel into usable energy than all rivals in its class.Combined with a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, which is itself 98 per cent efficient, and a small 1.82kWh battery and electric motor, Chery claims that the J5 SHS-H produces an impressive 165kW and 295Nm of torque – far more than the 143kW and 221Nm the latest 2026 Toyota RAV4 manages.For reference, the J5 Hybrid also produces 15kW more than the Chery Tiggo 4 and outpunches other rivals like the GWM Haval Jolion (140kW), MG ZS (158kW) and the small Toyota Corolla Cross (143kW).That's a good start, but actual fuel use for the J5 Hybrid is a claimed 5.3L/100km and a total range of 980km on a full tank, figures that don't exactly set the class alight for efficiency, but the Chinese brand claims a big drop in its thirst in real-world driving.In the metal, the Jaecoo J5 Hybrid looks identical to both the petrol version, which borrows its looks from the Range Rover Evoque.There is one subtle change that helps you tell the new J5 Hybrid apart (other than badging), as the electrified petrol gains a fresh set of 18-inch aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels that are unique to the hybrid.One other minor change worth mentioning is that the J5 Hybrid ditches the button for the electronic handbrake, with the car now automatically applying the rear stoppers at rest and only releasing them when the driver puts their seatbelt on.Inside, like the rest of the J5 range, there is a large 13.2-inch portrait-mounted infotainment that is blended with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster.With an opportunity for a brief drive in China following its public launch at the Beijing motor show, the J5 Hybrid feels eager off the line compared with the lacklustre entry petrol, with 0-100km/h now taking 7.9 seconds – a whopping 2.3 seconds quicker than the base model.Without any gears to shuffle, the one-speed transmission is smooth and overall refinement levels high.Quick changes of direction hint at some improvements over the standard J5, but we will need to confirm on road whether the drive and ride have been improved.It is the latter we are most concerned about, as the J5 EV has reportedly been too easily agitated over rougher Aussie bitumen, but our brief spin over mostly smooth roads provided zero red flags.Jaecoo has yet to detail specifications for its new hybrid and it is unknown if the petrol-electric version will be offered in a single model grade, like the EV, or two trims like the entry petrol.The current J5 EV is well-equipped, with a glass sunroof, electric tailgate, dual-zone climate control, 50W wireless charger, synthetic leather six-way adjustable heated and ventilated electric seats, plus 360-degree surround view cameras all standard.Adding extra peace of mind, the latest J5 hybrid will be covered by the carmaker's generous eight-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, while services are expected to be every 12 months or 20,000km with a capped-price service program likely to be offered.In other markets, like the UK, the new J5 SHS-H commands a price premium over the petrol of around 10-12 per cent, which could see it priced from around $28,500-$29,100 drive-away when it goes on sale. 

Creating the ultra-limited Lamborghini Fenomeno Roadster was no mean feat.Despite looking like a gas-axed take on the wild Fenomeno Coupe, designers and engineers were forced to almost start from scratch in a labour-intensive process fraught with difficulties that pushed the car-maker to its absolute limit.The result is the most powerful roofless Lamborghini ever produced, the latest in the line of 'Few-Off' models it makes for its wealthiest owners.Just 15 of the 794kW V12 roadster will be built, each are rumoured to cost more than €5 million (A$8.2m). The entire run is sold out, with just one open-air Fenomeno Roadster said to be heading to Australia, even though it will be left-hand drive.Loosely based on the current Lamborghini Revuelto, the problems began for the skunkworks team because the supercar's carbon-fibre 'monofuselage' structure had never been designed to have its roof lopped off.Effectively redesigned and strengthened to compensate for the alfresco driving experience, engineers used a new patented bonding fluid for the carbon-fibre, plus long and short fibres that ramp up rigidity. Modified front and rear crash structures have also been used, while a new cradle behind the driver and passenger seats enhance stiffness and side-impact protection, but it means the drop-top can't be offered with the coupe's full carbon-fibre race seats because there's not enough space to mount them.Even with a heavy X-brace structure added to the engine, Lamborghini claims the roadster's structure weighs "only a few kilos more" than the one used for the coupe.Once the foundations were set, designers attempted to tweak the coupe's styling for the roadster, but without a roof scoop the roadster's V12 was plagued by cooling issues. A complete redesign above the waist was the only option.Tweaks you might notice are the reshaped longer windscreen rail that channels air carefully to an all-new engine cover, plus a pair of roll-over hoops that were honed in the wind tunnel.Combined with the carry-over sharp lines, wide Countach-like air intakes behind the rear doors, aerodynamicists claim downforce has been boosted by 30 per cent, without any sacrifice in cooling performance.Featuring an overall shape inspired by 1970s racing prototypes, the long-tail Fenomeno Roaster sports the same striking hexagonal exhaust pipe, a hint at the electrified 6.5-litre V12 that lies midship.Tuned to produce a little more power 621kW (versus 607kW in the Revuelto) and 725Nm of torque, the V12 is still more than happy to rev to 9250rpm but is blended with not one, but three electric motors boosting power to a monstrous 794kW and 1075Nm of torque that is combined with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and channels its might to all four wheels.Fitted with a larger 7kWh battery, that also provides for a 20km EV range, Lamborghini claims its roofless Fenomeno can launch from 0-100km/h in 2.4 seconds, 0-200km/h in 6.8 seconds, while top speed is a very blustery 340km/h.Keeping weight down to a reasonable 1780kg, more fresh innovation reserved for the Fenomeno includes a Countach-inspired wheel design that saves an incredible 3kg per corner, plus Lamborghini's next-generation CCM-R carbon-ceramic brakes that employ discs made of long fibres embedded in a carbon matrix that's embalmed in a special coating and combined with 'organic' brake pads.It helps that there's also zero weatherproofing, with designers shunning even an emergency roof. Should the heavens open you and the car's cabin will be soaked.Speaking of which, the cabin is largely carried over from the Revuelto but with more options to personalise and customise.It's a similar story for the body that is offered in unlimited paint combinations, the show car's hue is said to reference the colour of the first ever Lamborghini drop-top, the 1968 Miura Roadster.Featuring a fully adjustable near competition-spec race suspension, the limited Lambo gets two bespoke Bridgestone tyre options that includes a semi-slick option.Capable of torque vectoring, the Fenomeno Roadster bags the same advanced 6D sensor and vehicle chassis management the Revuelto sports.If you're wondering why Lamborghini has made just 15 Fenomeno Roadsters, instead of the 29 Coupes, it's because the drop-top can't pass US pedestrian impact tests because of the new front crash structure. Engineers insist they could have come up with a fix but just ran out of time.The rest of the know-how accrued from the Fenomeno Roadster project will soon be rolled out on future series Lamborghinis, with snazzy ultra-lightweight wheels primed to make a reappearance very soon on faster versions of both the Revuelto and smaller Temerario.

Actions speak louder than words and the fact Chery has lined up a QQ3 at one of its proving grounds a stone's throw from its Wuhu HQ suggests the small hatch will be announced for our market shortly.Priced in China from the equivalent of just $A14,000, in Australia we think the QQ3 will cost the same as a BYD Atto 1 ($23,990 plus on-road costs), which is remarkable as the much-bigger Chery offers the space of a Toyota Corolla, plus a far longer range, compared to other cheap EVs.Throw in pleasing rear-wheel drive handling, brisk acceleration and class-leading in-car tech and the new Chery QQ3 has all the makings of a big hit. That's if Chery Australia chooses to import it.As it pours with rain, the poor all-electric hatch has already suffered at the hands of other journos, with multiple cone strikes having already made their mark, but the odd minor dent here and there doesn't take the shine off one of Chery's most appealing designs so far.Paying homage to the first-generation Chery QQ, that was little more than a rip-off of the pint-sized Daewoo Matiz, the new curvy QQ3 gains oval-shaped LED lamps, smooth door handles, a floating roof and slanted C-pillars.Measuring in at 4195mm long, 1811mm wide and standing 1569mm tall, the QQ3 has a relatively long 2700mm wheelbase for plenty of space within.For reference, that's 95mm shorter, 41mm wider and 1mm shorter than the BYD Dolphin, with the same wheelbase.Boot space is 375 litres, with a useful 70-litre frunk tucked up under the bonnet. Inside, there's also said to be a further 38 storage areas dotted around the light and spacious cabin, including a 35-litre compartment under the rear seats.Six exterior hues are available with further optional finishes for the roof, the youthful exterior is reflected within and the entry model Chery's cabin surprisingly comes with some advanced big car kit, despite its low price.Headline equipment includes an 8.8-inch instrument cluster and a huge 15.6-inch central multimedia screen which runs a punchy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip for faster, smoother reactions.The tech includes an AI-powered voice assistant and standard Apple CarPlay. As an added bonus, our car also came with ventilated and heated front seats and vehicle-to-load charging (V2L), with the latter able to top up domestic appliances like laptops or e-bikes.In China, two powertrains are available – one with 58kW and 90Nm of torque and another with 90kW and 115Nm of torque.Battery options include a 29.48kWh and a 41.28kWh powerpack, with even the baby powerpack delivering 310km of range. The bigger battery, meanwhile, sees the QQ3 drive up to 420km, but both of those figures are on the more lenient Chinese CLTC test cycle, so expect a big drop off when evaluated using the more stringent WLTP testing.Plug into a DC fast charger and Chery says the QQ3 takes 16.5 minutes for a 30-to-80 per cent top up, with no claim for the more common 10-to-80 per cent charge.Further big car tech includes an optional adaptive cruise that follows the navigation, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, plus auto parking and 360-degree surround view.We didn't get to experience either, as we only had an extremely limited time behind the wheel, but can report that off the line the 90kW version offers plenty of performance, while a tight and twisty course reveals the rear-drive QQ3 offers enough agility to be fun on a country road.Grip levels and braking performance were impressive, considering the wet conditions.

Chery's boss has confirmed the new Freelander brand has been locked in for a launch in Australia and New Zealand, with its arrival to be spearheaded by the new Freelander 8, which was unveiled at the Beijing motor show."The Freelander will be introduced to Australia and New Zealand," Yin Tongyue, Chery Auto chairman told Australian media at a round table event.Created as part of a joint venture between Chery and Land Rover, until now the Freelander's first model, the rugged Freelander 8, had only been announced that it would be produced in right-hand drive.Addressing rumours the Freelander 8 would be sold through Land Rover dealers, the Chery boss was quick to dismiss that idea."It will be an independent . It will have an independent network."Speaking to an insider later on, CarsGuide was told that behind the scenes Chery will work as hard as possible to separate its brands, with the Freelander brand joining both newly announced Lepas and Jetour to be sold, serviced and maintained via its own dealers, even in small markets like New Zealand.On sale in China in the second half of 2026, Chery's boss did not provide any time frame for the rollout of Freelander Down Under, but it's hotly tipped that right-hand drive production is scheduled to commence as soon as early 2027, suggesting the brand and the Freelander 8 could arrive as soon as next year.Created to be a capable off-roader, the Freelander brand will not be offered with pure-combustion engines; instead, it will only be available with pure-electric power or Chery's latest range-extender hybrid.The first of six SUVs to be launched in the next five years, in Beijing the fledgling brand revealed its first car – a mid-to-large six-seat SUV alternative to the hybrid Toyota Kluger that would come with powerful 800-volt electrics for ultra-fast DC charging.In Australia, it's likely range-extender hybrid (EREV), as well as the plug-in hybrids, are expected to be the most popular powertrains, with the former among the earliest adopters of CATL's latest Freevoy battery.Capable of 6C charging, the EREV version can handle a peak charge of up to 360kW, ensuring charging times a fraction of most plug-in hybrids currently on sale in Australia.With Land Rover responsible for the design in and out and reportedly tasked with ensuring it is as capable as any other Land Rover on or off-road, the Freelander 8 features an electronic limited-slip differential, which combines a virtual central locking differential, for maximum traction in all conditions.A height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension, meanwhile, should provide plenty of ground clearance for serious off-roading.Within, advanced new tech that has been sourced from its Chinese partner, includes a BMW iX3-style curved screen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar.Backed up by a large central floating infotainment, the Freelander is likely to appeal to Aussies fed up with having to operate everything through a touchscreen as both physical switches and a large rotary dial are present.Appealing to families, a 2+2+2 seating configuration is standard, with the second-row bagging a pair of Chery's 'zero-gravity' seats for enhanced comfort.Fresh tech includes extra-bright 8000-pixel projection headlamps, and Huawei's latest-gen 896-LiDAR that helps the Freelander SUV support the tech giant's new Qiankun ADS 4.1 driver assistance system, which provides Level 2+ driverless tech.The advanced autonomous driving aids benefit the Freelander 8 even when it's off-road, with the tech helping deliver up to nine driving modes, evolving Land Rover's famed traction-boosting terrain response tech.Designed and engineered to achieve the full five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests, the Freelander 8 is expected to be awarded top marks by ANCAP.Announcing the Freelander 8 will be built at Chery-Land Rover's current factory in Changshu, close to Shanghai, the Freelander production model does without both Chery or Land Rover badging – an early hint that the Freelander 8 would not leverage either parent when sales begin.No pricing has yet been released, but it's thought the Freelander 8 will be positioned as an even more rugged and capable alternative to the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990) that's currently on sale Down Under.

Chinese car giant Chery has confirmed its electrified off-road brand iCaur will launch in Australia in February 2027, with its recently introduced V27 and still-to-be-released V25 SUVs.Confirming that both new models will touch down early next year, an insider told media following the Beijing motor show, that the Suzuki Jimny wagon-rivalling V23 would also eventually join the line-up, but not until 2028 or 2029, following a mid-life makeover.Only introduced to the world back in 2023, iCaur, known in China as iCar, has already won fans with its combination of retro boxy-designed vehicles that combine either a range-extender hybrid or all-electric powertrains.In little more than two years the brand has gone on to sell more than 160,000 models globally, something that will ramp up rapidly in the next three years as the Land Rover or Toyota LandCruiser-rivalling brand races to enter 100 export countries.In Australia, it's expected the V27 will launch first, coming with a single range-extender hybrid powertrain.The largest model yet introduced by the iCaur, locally the V27 will be offered with either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and two different power outputs.Pinching design cues from the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-wagen, the V27 shares the same boxy shape with the 4x4 icons and bags similar circular headlamps.All Australian-spec models will also come with the externally-mounted full-size spare wheel, conventional door handles and a side-hinged tailgate.Measuring in at 4909mm long, 1976mm wide and 1855mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2910mm, the V27 is roughly the same size as a Land Rover Defender 110.Under the bonnet is a 105kW1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that is combined with both a 34.3kWh and a 20.6kWh battery pack.Maximum power is 335kW, with 0-100km/h taking 5.5 seconds.In China, thanks to the large powerpacks, the V27 can travel up to 210km on EV power alone and cover a total 1200km before it needs recharging; both of those figures are expected to fall under Euro WLTP test conditions.Longer ranges are expected for the light two-wheel drive versions.Full specifications have yet to be detailed for the Australian market, but it's thought our cars will drop the long-range LiDAR sensor Chinese-spec comes with which, combined with 27 sensors provides for a Level 2+ autonomous capability.Within, the iCaur comes with a 15.4-inch infotainment that runs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip for smoother, quicker responses. Below the big screen is a row of physical buttons that provide shortcuts for the climate control and more.Ahead of the driver is a slimline letterbox-style 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, while bathing the cabin in light is a four-pane segmented sunroof.Locally, the V27 is priced from just 200,000 Chinese yuan (A$40,000), it's not known what the range will kick off from but the insider told Carsguide that the new rugged-looking V27 will be positioned lower than the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990).Despite comparisons with the Denza, the same source said the V27 was not created for ultimate off-roading in mind and won't be as capable as a car like the Defender (from $96,255).Instead, the V27 is suited for light off-roading and can only tug up to 1600kg, some way off the 3000kg maximum towing weight claimed for the Denza B5.Other than testing, little is known about the new smaller mid-size V25 other than when it arrives in Australia after the V27 next year, it will come with both a range-extender hybrid and hybrid power.With spy shots confirming it won't deviate far from the classic 4x4 styling, it's thought the fresh Toyota RAV4 rival will share much with both the V27 and the smaller V23.For our market, it will also be offered with two power outputs and with or without all-wheel drive.Despite rumours that iCaur is secretly developing a ute based on all three of its models, an iCaur pick-up is unlikely to be offered in Australia, says the insider, following the decision to import the inbound dual-cab plug-in diesel hybrid Chery KP31 that's set for release in late 2026.

Fresh from confirming Lepas (Q4 2026), iCaur (Q2 2027) and Freelander (est 2027) would be landing in Australia in the near future, Chery Auto has been forced to defend its position of rolling out yet more sub-brands.Chery's response? The one-size-fits-all approach historically used by legacy car-makers is outdated.Zhang Guibing, President of Chery International, addressed complaints of potential customer confusion by comparing his carmaker to the fashion industry that has also spun off niche brands tailored for different consumers."When you look ten years ago at Toyota or Volkswagen, with one model they could sell many units. But today it is very difficult for one model to have the same meaning," said Chery's president."Today the customer is different. Even if the clothes are very beautiful, when too many people buy them, customers say they don't like to buy ."We are trying to use sub-brands to appeal to different customer groups," claimed Guibing, shortly after Chery announced that both the Lepas and Freelander brands would be introduced to Australia, where more than 68 different carmakers already operate.When asked if any of the Chery brands risked cannibalising each other’s sales, Guibing accepted there might be some overlap with Chery, Omoda or Jaecoo buyers but it was limited at best, because of the way the sub-brands were positioned."I couldn't say completely that there is no conflict."The brands understand the customers, their habits, the language they use and really understand what think. In this way we use the sub-brands to cover different customers," the Chery boss claimed, suggesting that each offering was unique, while the alternative price structures also helped prevent any poaching of sales within the group.Last year in Australia, sales of Chinese-made cars reached unprecedented highs after more than 250,000 were sold for the first time, ahead of Thai-built cars and utes, but despite some rival brands making bold statements of sales growth, Chery's regional boss Lewis Lu said that wouldn't be the Chinese carmaker's approach Down Under."Volume is not the first consideration," claimed Lu."We need to find a way to look after our customers, for a long-term perspective to help us get the right reputation."

Chery's latest sub-brand bound for Australia has unwrapped its most affordable electric car yet following the unveil of the Lepas L4 EV at the Beijing motor show.Previewing a more affordable Chinese take on premium European all-electric small SUVs like the BMW iX1, Volvo EX30 and inbound Mercedes GLA, the new L4 EV will be joined by a plug-in hybrid version and sit below the larger Toyota RAV4-rivalling L6 and L8, when sales start this October.Closely related to the new-generation Chery Tiggo 5, which has already been unveiled for China, while the PHEV and combustion versions looks near identical, the new EV version comes with a more aerodynamic snout, fresh alloy wheels and minor tweaks to the interior.Measuring in at around 4415mm long, 1817mm wide and standing 1630mm tall, the L4 EV has a relatively large 2700mm wheelbase, which is around 70mm longer than the Chery E5, providing more space.The Lepas L4 is the first vehicle to be built on Chery's new LEX platform that is highly rigid and allows the firm to fit its latest advanced tech. The platform also benefits from input from the Chinese car giant's R&D hub, which is why it gets a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension.In the future, Chery says it wants to engineer its cars to both have a European-tuned suspension and, once that's achieved, it will go ahead and tailor the ride and handling for markets like Australia.Chery hopes the Lepas L4's more European look and higher-grade interiors will attract a more upmarket buyer, although when the brand arrives in the latter half of this year, we don't expect it to come with BMW or Benz-like pricing and for it to still undercut the X1 and GLA.From launch, we'll miss out on the base 80kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, or a punchier 108kW 1.5 turbo petrol, and instead be offered the new all-electric version unveiled in Beijing.Driven by a single 150kW front e-motor that will draw power from a 67kWh battery, that will blend brisk performance and a range of around 450km.A second plug-in hybrid will be available from launch that produces 205kW and 350Nm of torque with an undisclosed battery but will come with up to 90km of EV range on the WLTP test cycle.Inside, the Lepas L4 like the rest of the range comes with an 8.0-inch instrument cluster and a larger 9.9-inch infotainment screen.Standard kit includes a 360-degree camera view, parking sensors, auto headlamps and half-leather seats.High-grade models offered in some markets add roof rails, keyless go, a premium sound system, six-way power adjustable heated and ventilated seats and adaptive cruise.While the strategy is to position the Lepas brand eventually as a real BMW or Benz rival, for now insiders suggest the new Euro-inspired models will command a five per cent price premium over Omoda and Jaecoo models to ensure it builds up enough volume to sustain the brand.It's thought Lepas Australia will release full details of the inbound Lepas L4 EV and the larger L6 and L8 closer to launch, including details of what trims and powertrains Australians will be offered.

More than a quarter of a century since the Land Rover Freelander was pensioned off, the SUV nameplate has returned with the Freelander 8, a rugged SUV developed by both Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).The first of six SUVs to be launched in the next five years as part of the Anglo-Sino partnership, the new Freelander 8 has already been confirmed for right-hand-drive markets, opening the door to Australian sales.Sold under the new Freelander sub-brand, Freelander 8 sales will initially begin in China as soon as late this year, before export sales kick off later.Created to be an all-electric mid-to-large six-seat SUV rival for the Toyota Kluger, the Freelander 8 comes with powerful 800-volt electrics for ultra-fast DC charging.Later on, the Freelander 8 will adopt both a range-extender hybrid (REEV), as well as the plug-in hybrids more commonly found in Europe.Freelander has confirmed that the REEV will bag CATL's latest Freevoy battery, which is capable of 6C charging, that translates into rapid DC peak charging speeds of 360kW.Ensuring it is as capable as any other Land Rover, the Freelander 8 features an electronic limited-slip differential, which is combined with a virtual central locking differential, plus a height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension.Following on from the well-received Freelander Concept 97, the 8 borrows plenty visual cues from both the old Freelander and current Defender.While the Freelander 8 was styled by the British 4x4 brand, plenty of its advanced new tech has been sourced from its Chinese partner, including its curved screen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar.A large central floating infotainment is present, as well as a limited number of physical switches and a large rotary dial.Coming with a 2+2+2 seating configuration, the second row gets a pair of zero-gravity seats for a limo-like level of comfort.Fresh tech includes extra-bright 8000-pixel projection headlamps, and Huawei's latest-gen 896-LiDAR that helps the Freelander SUV support the tech giant's new Qiankun ADS 4.1 driver assistance system, which provides Level 2+ driverless tech.The same advanced autonomous driving aids are also thought to help boost the Freelander 8's capability off-road, offering up to nine terrain modes.When it lands in Europe, the Freelander 8 has been engineered to achieve the full five stars for protection in EuroNCAP crash tests, which bodes well for a decent showing in future evaluations by ANCAP.Built at a Chery-Land Rover plant in Changshu, close to Shanghai, the Freelander does without both Chery or Land Rover badging and will operate as an independent brand that is completely separate from Chery, Exeed, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, Luxeed or the iCaur (iCar).It's not yet known, when launched in markets like Europe or Australia, if the Freelander will be rebadged and sold through Land Rover dealers.