Chery Group and Auto Italia bring the iCAUR electrified SUV brand to Romania
The Romanian automotive market is preparing for an important launch this fall: iCAUR, the new strategic brand dedicated to new energy vehicles (NEV) within the Chery Group, is making its official entry into Europe, choosing our country as its first debut market.
The distribution of the new brand will be ensured by Auto Italia, an importer with extensive experience in the local market, which already manages established brands such as Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Fiat or Maserati, but also new strategic partnerships such as Leapmotor and the Chery Tiggo SUV range.
Why iCAUR and not iCAR? In China, the brand is known and marketed under the name iCAR. To expand into the European market, Chery adapted the name to iCAUR for reasons related to intellectual property rights and trademark registration on our continent.
The "Urban Outdoor Adventure" concept and REEV technology
The iCAUR brand was developed around the concept of versatile mobility. The brand's vehicles are aimed at active and adventurous customers, combining a retro-rugged design with boxy lines with the latest electrified propulsion technologies.
The first appearance on the Romanian market will be the brand's flagship, iCAUR V27, which will be officially presented in October 2026, with the commercial launch and first customers to be taken over at the beginning of 2027.
What's new in iCAUR V27:
- Golden REEV (Range Extended EV) Technology: Unlike a classic hybrid, the iCAUR V27 is permanently powered by electric motors. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (156 hp), which functions exclusively as an electric generator to charge the battery on the go.
- Top thermal efficiency: The thermal generator records a thermal efficiency of 44.5% and manages to produce 3.71 kWh of electricity for every liter of gasoline consumed.
- Worry-free extended range: The 34.3 kWh CATL battery pack offers a pure electric range of over 150 km (200–210 km in the optimistic CLTC cycle). Together with the fuel tank, the total range exceeds 1,000 kilometers.
- Performance and All-Wheel Drive: In the top version with two electric motors (AWD), the V27 develops a power of 456 HP (335 kW) and an instant torque of 505 Nm, allowing acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
- True Off-Road Capabilities: The cage-type body has a torsional rigidity of 32,186 Nm/degree, approach and departure angles of 24° and 23° respectively, and a wading depth of 600 mm.
- V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function: The system allows external electronic equipment, tools or camping devices to be powered directly from the battery.
Estimated prices for iCAUR models in Romania
In China, the new iCAUR V27 was launched at a price equivalent to EUR 22,000 – 26,000. When we add in the European Union import duties, 19% VAT, special approvals and local distribution margin, the iCAUR V27 will still offer an extremely competitive price/quality ratio compared to other similar adventure SUVs.
Here is an estimate of the price range for the iCAUR range that will arrive in Auto Italia showrooms:
| iCAUR Model | Drivetrain / Specifications | Combined Power | Range (EV / Total) | Estimated Price in Romania (incl. VAT) |
| iCAUR 03 / V23 (Compact SUV) | Pure Electric (BEV) / RWD or AWD | 184 – 279 hp | ~350 – 420 km (EV) | €28,000 – €34,000 |
| iCAUR V27 2WD (Standard REEV) | Range-Extended EV (1 electric motor + 1.5L generator) | 252 hp | >150 km (EV) / >1,000 km Total | €38,000 – €42,000 |
| iCAUR V27 4WD (AWD Falcon) | Range-Extended EV (2 electric motors + 1.5L generator) | 456 hp | >150 km (EV) / >1,000 km Total | €44,000 – €48,000 |
The prices mentioned in the table are market estimates calculated based on international launch rates and Auto Italia's pricing structure. Final figures will be officially confirmed closer to the autumn launch.
What does this step mean for the local car market?
The entry of the iCAUR brand in Romania solves one of the biggest problems of electric cars used for long trips: the strict dependence on fast charging stations. REEV technology offers drivers the silence and instant torque of an electric vehicle in the city, while maintaining the freedom to refuel with gasoline during long-distance trips or on mountain trails.