iCaur is preparing to sell a boxy, 4WD-looking SUV in Australia, but its senior executives have ruled out diesel power, a separate-chassis hardcore 4WD and a ute for now.

That puts the Chery Group brand on a different path to traditional segment names raised during questioning, including the Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero.

The V25 mid-size SUV is due to be iCaur's first Australian model, launching early next year as a battery-electric vehicle.

A range-extender version is part of the broader V25 model program, although the overseas EREV system is still being considered for Australia rather than locked in for local launch.

CarSauce has previously detailed the V25's Australian launch timing as Chery Group adds another brand to its local portfolio.

Asked whether iCaur could move into the hardcore 4WD space with diesel power, Ronna Luo, CEO, iCaur International, said: "Definitely no diesel engine plan."

iCaur executives also ruled out using a separate chassis for a full-on 4WD, citing body safety and daily driving needs.

The answer is notable because Chery Group already has a ladder-frame platform in the Stockman ute.

But iCaur is not being positioned as a diesel off-roader or dual-cab brand.

Su Jun, Vice President of Chery Automobile, said: "At the beginning we had a pickup plan."

He said the brand had instead prioritised higher-volume opportunities.

Su Jun then clarified: "We don't have anything for pick up or truck.
I don't want to confuse the people here."

Ronna Luo said she preferred not to limit iCaur to boxy vehicles, but said the brand would focus mostly on SUVs and had no plan for cars yet.

Su Jun described iCaur as targeting mostly urban buyers who want an everyday car and sometimes want to explore the boundaries.

He said a brand like Jetour - another Chery marque launching in Australia soon - sits more on the tougher adventure side.

Rather than diesel or ladder-frame off-roading, iCaur is pitching new-energy drivetrains and technology beneath classic-looking designs.

Ronna Luo said buyers were becoming more accepting of BEV, PHEV and REEV technology, and argued younger drivers do not want to drive their father's car.

She said the Toyota Prado had been popular in China for being easy to use, easy to repair and tough, and said iCaur wanted to learn from those traits without adding unnecessary complexity.

Ronna Luo said REEV technology is "much easier to repair than PHEV" and more economical to repair and maintain.

She also pointed to physical controls as safe and enjoyable, rather than placing those functions solely on a screen.

iCaur will arrive as Chery Group continues expanding its Australian brand line-up.

By 2027, Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, iCaur, Freelander and Jetour are expected to be selling in Australia.

Ronna Luo said iCaur would be positioned separately from Chery as a premium brand and that dealer recruitment had started.

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