The CKD iCAUR 03 retains the same specifications as its CBU counterpart while being ever so slightly cheaper.
While there may currently be a bit of a kerfuffle surrounding the pricing of fully imported CBU EVs in Malaysia, the iCAUR 03 will be largely unaffected. Such is as this boxy all-electric SUV has now officially begun rolling out of Chery Corporate Malaysia’s plant in Shah Alam, just seven months after the model first made its local debut.
Originally introduced locally in both 2WD and iWD guises, current CKD production is only being extended to the higher-spec iWD variant (at least for the time being). Pricing for this locally assembled iCAUR 03 is incidentally also marginally cheaper at RM129,880, with the automaker further sweetening this deal by including a package consisting of a 7 kW AC home charger and complimentary scheduled servicing for two years or 45,000 km, whichever comes first.
In terms of specifications, iCAUR has touted that the CKD version of the iWD remains identical to its earlier CBU counterpart. The only immediately noticeable difference lies in the tyres, as the previous 19-inch Chaoyang rubber has now been swapped out for units supplied by GITI.
Among the exterior highlights are to be LED headlights with adaptive high beam assist up front, alongside a panoramic sunroof with a powered sunshade overhead. Around its sides meanwhile, the iCAUR 03 continues to feature slab-sided bodywork paired with angular wheel arches, chunky cladding, and flush pop-out door handles.
Round the back of the iCAUR 03 sits an exposed and lockable 40-litre external cargo box mounted onto the SUV’s 90-degree side-opening tailgate. Opening this in turn reveals a 450-litre boot, which can further expand to 1,238 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded flat.
Inside meanwhile, the iCAUR 03 retains its upright dashboard layout centred around a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, alongside a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Other notable kit on this lifestyle-focused EV includes faux leather upholstery, powered front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, ventilated front and rear seats, a 50-watt wireless charging pad, keyless entry and push-start functionality, as well as ambient interior lighting.
Powertrain-wise, the iWD trim continues to feature a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing a combined 279 PS and 385 Nm of torque. Top speed remains capped at 150 km/h, though the century sprint is dispatched in a considerably brisker 6.5 seconds. This variant also packs a slightly larger 69.8-kWh LFP battery pack than its 2WD counterpart, allowing for a claimed WLTP range of up to 418 km.
The iCAUR 03’s battery is capable of DC fast charging at up to 80 kW, with a 30-80% recharge taking around 30 minutes. AC charging meanwhile is capped at 6.6 kW, while a 3.2-kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) function is also included to power external electrical appliances and accessories.
Safety kit remains extensive too, with the iCAUR 03 featuring six airbags, a 540º around-view monitor, and a 360º driving video recorder. Also included is a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite comprising autonomous emergency braking, front and rear collision warning, emergency lane keeping assist, lane departure warning and prevention, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, blind spot monitoring, and door opening warning.
As before, the iCAUR 03 is offered in five exterior colours: Silver, Grey, White, Black, and Aurora Green. Buyers can additionally still opt for the Black Phantom Edition in CKD form, which adds a more rugged-looking bodykit featuring extended wheel arches, a matte black finish, a roof rack, and an accompanying side ladder for that pseudo-off-roader aesthetic.
Every iCAUR 03 continues to come backed by a seven-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty, alongside a separate eight-year/160,000-km warranty for the battery and electric drive unit. Should battery health drop below 70% within the warranty period, owners will also receive a one-to-one battery replacement.
The 2WD version of the 03 is likely next in line for local assembly, with the squarer V23 expected to follow shortly after. Incidentally though, the iCAUR 03 is not actually the first EV from the Chery tree to be locally assembled in Malaysia, as that honour instead belongs to the Omoda E5, which has been rolling out of Inokom’s Kulim plant since late 2024.
