Chinese engineers from Chery dreamed their whole lives of copying the Defender, but in the end, they just built a genuinely good car. Meet the Esteo V27—a vehicle conceived in China and assembled by us at the AGR Automotive Group plant near St. Petersburg. In its «childhood,» it was the iCaur, but who cares, when what we have before us is a black brick on massive wheels that looks like Land Rover finally stopped making nonsense.

Esteo—a cohesive hybrid. This means it drives on two electric motors with a combined output of 456 horsepower, while a turbocharged 1.5L engine hums under the hood for 143 horsepower, solely to charge the battery. The total range is nearly 900 km. You can drive from a country house to the office and back (about 135 km) purely on electric power, without using gasoline. Esteo has no frame, yet the body rigidity hasn’t suffered. In fact, it’s improved—to 32,000 Nm/degree! I know numbers don’t tell you everything, but believe me, this is incredible. How did they achieve this? The battery itself has become the main power element. A robust, armored battery housing supports half the weight of the car.

The interior space is so voluminous you could play badminton inside (the cabin height is nearly 1400 mm). The panoramic roof is composed of two sections specifically for structural rigidity—an engineering flex design. The seats are top-tier: leather, ventilation, and heating for everything, including the rear bench. In front of the driver, there is a narrow 8.8-inch instrument display, while the main media center is a substantial 15 inches. A welcome feature is the presence of genuine physical buttons for climate control and driving modes, rather than a frustrating touchscreen interface, especially in winter when you’re wearing gloves. Among the extravagant features are a dedicated pet mode (which opens small vents in the windows) and over 40 seating positions to accommodate all your gear. The trunk boasts a generous 715 liters, expanding to 1818 liters when the seats are folded flat. Your mother-in-law, her gardening supplies, and room for a grill will all fit.

How does this brick beast handle? It cruises on the asphalt. The 5.9-second 0–60 time feels real thanks to the 505 Nm of torque available right from a standstill. The steering wheel and brakes are configurable through the menu—a typical Chinese gamepad on wheels. On smooth gravel, the suspension allows for a slight sway, but passengers won’t feel sick. But off-road, the magic begins. The body is rigid, so the vehicle has absolutely no fear of significant suspension articulation.

There are several special modes: «Mud, ” „Soil, ” and „Uneven Terrain.“ But the best feature is the „Wade“ mode. You press a button, the electronics automatically covers the air intake vents, and you can drive over the hood in water while the system monitors the depth—specifically ensuring it does not exceed 600 mm. Plus, there’s the off-road cruise control: you engage it, lift off the gas, and Esteo navigates over ditches on its own. Oh, and everything updates „over the air.“ We just received a firmware update for a circular turn (a spot turret spin), and soon, expect a sand driving mode.

Verdict. The Esteo V27 is a synthesis of a crossover and a touring expedition vehicle. It lacks a traditional frame, but let’s be honest: how many owners of new Defenders actually drive them into the swamp just to look at the mirrors? This vehicle is designed for travel. I installed a canopy over the railings, added a spot-light, and hooked up a laptop to the 6 kW outlet (yes, this is a mobile power station) and drove toward the sunset. The toy costs 5.75 million, but here comes our answer to Chamberlain: a state subsidy for Russian production amounts to 925,000 rubles when purchasing on credit. The result is a brutal hybrid featuring the design of a legend, the technology of the future, and a price that no longer makes you want to cry. Definitely a strong thumbs-up.