A heavily camouflaged test mule of an upcoming electric SUV based on the Chery iCar V23 has been spotted testing on Indian roads. The sighting indicates that the model is being evaluated for a future launch under the JSW Motors brand as the company prepares to enter the Indian passenger vehicle market with multiple new products.
The electric midsize JSW Motors iCar V23 SUV is expected to arrive in India around 2028 and will likely be the third product introduced by JSW Motors. The company plans to launch a series of rebadged models derived from Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile’s sub-brands, including Jetour, Jaecoo and iCar.
Also Read: JSW Jetour T2-Based SUV Teased For India Launch In 2026
Third Model in JSW Motors’ Planned Line-up
JSW Group is preparing to enter the Indian automotive sector as a standalone brand while continuing its existing joint venture with MG Motor India. The upcoming JSW Motors iCar V23-based electric SUV is expected to follow two earlier launches in the company’s planned product pipeline.
The first model is expected to be a plug-in hybrid SUV derived from the Jetour T2, followed by an electric SUV based on the Jaecoo J5. The JSW Motors iCar V23-based vehicle would then become the third model in JSW Motors’ India line-up.
Local assembly for these vehicles is expected to take place at JSW Motors’ facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), Maharashtra.
Test Mule Reveals Boxy Design Elements
Spy images of the prototype show a vehicle with a distinct upright and boxy silhouette. Although most design details remain concealed under camouflage, several exterior cues are visible.
The rear section appears to feature a protruding element on the tailgate that could function as a storage compartment for charging cables. The tail-lamp layout resembles horizontally aligned units similar in style to those seen on off-road-inspired SUVs.
Other visible details include flared wheel arches, a side step integrated into the lower body, and a distinctive kink in the rear window line. These elements suggest that the production version could carry a rugged design theme.
Powertrain Details from the Global Model
While specifications for the India-bound version have not yet been confirmed, the international version of the Chery iCar V23 offers two battery configurations.
The first option uses a 59.93kWh battery pack paired with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 136hp and 180Nm of torque. The second configuration features a larger 81.76kWh battery pack combined with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivering 211hp and 292Nm of torque.
According to international specifications, the smaller battery variant offers a claimed range of around 401km (CLTC cycle), while the larger battery version provides up to 510km. DC fast-charging support ranges from approximately 85kW to over 100kW depending on the variant.
It remains unclear which powertrain configuration JSW Motors will offer in India. However, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version could stand out in the segment if introduced, as few rivals currently offer AWD capability in this price range.
Also Read: MG Starlight 560 Hybrid Spotted Testing in India; Launch Likely by End of 2026
JSW Motors iCar V23 Positioning & Expected Price
In its global form, the JSW Motors iCar V23 measures approximately 4.2 metres in length and has a wheelbase of around 2.7 metres, placing it within the midsize SUV category.
The India-spec version is expected to be priced below ₹20 lakh (ex-showroom), primarily due to local assembly at JSW Motors’ Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar facility. This strategy could help the brand remain competitive in the growing electric SUV market.
Once launched, the model will enter a crowded segment that includes the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6, VinFast VF6, Maruti e Vitara, MG ZS EV, Toyota Urban Electric SUV (Ebella), Tata Curvv EV, and the upcoming Tata Sierra EV.
What This Means for the Indian EV Market
The sighting of the test mule suggests that JSW Motors has begun early development and evaluation work for its upcoming EV portfolio in India. If the JSW Motors iCar V23-based SUV launches as planned in 2028, it will expand buyer options in the midsize electric SUV segment and mark another new entrant in India’s rapidly evolving EV market.
More details about the model, including specifications and localisation plans, are expected closer to its official launch timeline.
Disclaimer: This article is based on spy images, industry reports, and publicly available information at the time of writing. Final specifications, features, pricing, and launch timelines may change when the vehicle is officially announced by the manufacturer.
Also Read: Porsche K1 SUV To Debut With Petrol, Hybrid Power In 2028
Raj Prajapati is a Senior Automotive Content Writer at AutoIndiaDaily. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, he has over four years of experience covering car and bike launches, EV updates, price changes, and key developments in the Indian automobile industry.
