Chery iCar 03 gets an off-road version

Chery has come to the Beijing Auto Show with a new modification of its compact CUV, the iCar 03 (see video). Called the T, it should run better on rough terrain thanks to body and chassis improvements.

These include aggressive bumpers at both ends, a bulging hood and strongly flared fenders concealing wider wheels. The company didn’t clarify whether the roof rack was standard or optional.

Things look better in the suspension department as well. The biggest improvement is 200 mm (7.8 inches) of ride height – 15 mm (0.6 inches) more than stock. The approach and departure angles are solid at 28 and 31 degrees, respectively. The whole car is slightly longer and taller than its standard counterpart while retaining the same wheelbase (2,715 mm / 106 inches).

In its single-motor implementation, the iCar 03 T sends 184 PS (181 hp / 135 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels. The dual-motor version gets 279 PS (275 hp / 205 kW) and 385 Nm (284 lb-ft) of torque. The latter can also reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 seconds and go on for 500 km (310 miles) on a charge.