Retro-styled iCAUR 03T expected to land locally in May

With solid performance and strong specifications, it aims to make a bold first impression in South Africa.

Retro-styled iCAUR 03T expected to land locally in May

There’s a time in every motoring revolution where a manufacturer decides to stop chasing the trend and go the other way. While the rest of the EV segment races toward aerodynamic jellybean silhouettes and flush-everything minimalism, iCAUR has looked in that direction and gone square. Properly square.

The adventure-focused sub-brand is bringing its boxy, retro-inspired electric 03T SUV to local roads in May 2026, and it looks properly different. Joining the smaller V23, the new SUV is unapologetically retro, thanks to its upright proportions, bold stance, and boxy silhouette that draws from the classic playbook.

Its ground clearance is rated at 225mm, which surpasses the Jetour T2’s 220mm, at least giving the stance some legitimate purpose beyond aesthetics.

At launch, there will be two options: a 2WD model with a 66kWh battery, and an AWD version with a slightly larger 70kWh battery. The dual-motor AWD setup produces a combined 205kW and 385Nm, with a claimed 0–100km/h sprint of 6.5 seconds, which puts it into warm hatch territory, which is a sentence nobody expected to write about a boxy Chinese SUV. iCAUR promises to announce full range figures and pricing closer to launch.

As standard, the 03T comes well-equipped. You get a large 15.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 540-degree camera system for easy manoeuvring. The 2WD model comes with an 8-speaker sound system, while the AWD version upgrades to a 12-speaker setup. On the safety side, you get six airbags, ABS and stability control, plus helpful driver aids like forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The 03T uses a full aluminium body, a material choice which also doubles as the go-to for aircraft manufacturers. It’s put together using a mix of advanced joining techniques, which basically means it’s built to be strong, light, and precise. At this price point, that’s a big deal.

iCAUR will roll out 20 dealers across Mzansi at its local debut, with sales, service, and parts support from day one. For a brand entering a new market cold, that’s a significant commitment.

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the V23 is listed at R550,000 for the 2WD and R650,000 for the 4WD, with the 03T more than likely to command a premium over and above that.

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