As global energy markets wobble and fuel prices remain unpredictable, automakers are racing to figure out what the next phase of sensible mobility actually looks like. Pure EVs are fantastic until you hit a charging desert, while standard hybrids often feel like a temporary compromise. iCAUR is taking aim at that middle ground with the launch of the V27, a new SUV designed to offer full electric efficiency without tethering drivers to a charging cable.
Built on the brand’s Golden REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle) architecture, the V27 is engineered around an electric-first philosophy. Rather than relying on a complex hybrid setup where a petrol engine drives the wheels directly, the V27 runs on electric motors. A 34.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, supplied by CATL, delivers up to 150 km of pure-electric range. That is more than enough headroom to cover typical daily city commutes with zero petrol consumed.
When the battery runs low on longer trips, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine kicks in, functioning strictly as an on-board generator to feed power back into the battery and motors. With a thermal efficiency rating of 45.79 per cent, the engine converts every litre of fuel into 3.71 kWh of electricity. By keeping the internal combustion engine running exclusively in its optimal efficiency sweet spot, the combined system stretches total driving range beyond 1 000 km.
The engineering focus extends beyond the range extender itself. To keep energy consumption down, the V27 utilises a highly integrated 10-in-1 electric drive unit that slashes overall system size by 27 per cent and weight by 21 per cent, while boosting power density by 37 per cent. On all-wheel-drive models, the vehicle defaults to rear-wheel drive, engaging the front motor only when extra traction is required. That trick alone trims energy consumption by roughly 5 per cent compared to traditional all-wheel-drive configurations.
Despite having a petrol generator tucked under the bonnet, iCAUR claims the cabin stays whisper-quiet, keeping noise levels under 61 dB to match the refined experience expected from a pure EV.
The V27 also functions as a rolling power station. Thanks to a 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) system, drivers can run external appliances, power temporary workspaces, or run camping gear directly off the car’s battery.
“As part of iCAUR’s future vision for South Africa, the V27 will expand the conversation around new energy mobility by offering a solution that is practical, flexible and suited to everyday driving conditions,” says Shannon Gahagan, Head of Brand and Marketing for iCAUR South Africa and OMODA & JAECOO South Africa. “It brings together electric efficiency, long-range capability and convenience in a way that speaks directly to local consumer needs.”
iCAUR plans to showcase the V27 and its wider platform strategy alongside the smaller iCAUR V23 at the upcoming Beijing International Automotive Exhibition and the iCAUR International User Summit. For drivers looking to cut down on daily running costs without giving up the freedom of a quick petrol fill-up on road trips, the V27 presents a compelling blueprint for the transition to electric driving.