Omoda C3: New Chinese small SUV brings Lamborghini, sci-fi design cues

Perth Now

28-04-2025

Chery has revealed an aggressively styled new compact SUV for its Omoda spinoff brand, with styling inspired by robots and starships.
Referred to varyingly by Chery as the Omoda C3 or Omoda 3, the new small SUV ostensibly slots in under the Omoda C5/Omoda 5 that'll soon be rebranded here as the Chery C5.
It was revealed in China, ahead of its global product launch in October 2025.
'We're certainly interested… but at this stage we don't have a confirmed release timeline,' said a Chery Australia spokesperson when asked about the Omoda C3's chances for Australia.
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The Omoda C3 was developed with younger buyers in mind, with styling inspired by mecha – ie: giant robots or machines seen in Japanese manga and anime, which have also inspired other Chinese designs like GWM's Tank 700.
Chery says the average age of the Omoda C3 design team is just 28.
There are sharp creases everywhere on the Omoda C3's exterior, with a wide grille up front flanked by lighting elements intended to evoke lightning bolts.
Pronounced creases run down the side of the vehicle, with even the belt line and wheel-arch extensions featuring sharp angles. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Omoda C3 also features prominent shoulders, as well as a full-width bar at the rear which connects a pair of L-shaped tail lights.
Chery says it'll offer an 'official racing package' with various aerodynamic enhancements.
Inside, there's a 'starship-inspired cockpit' with a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and there are different selectable themes for both the touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster.
Chery says you'll be able to play games on the touchscreen using wireless controllers, while the centre console has slots for portable gaming devices.
The start button is also located on the centre console, where it's placed under a cover to give the Omoda C3 a more dramatic – and Lamborghini-like – startup procedure, while there's carbon-fibre interior trim and extensive ambient lighting. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'When you're sitting in the Omoda C3, you can feel like a starship commander,' said Omoda C3 brand director Roy Xie.
The company hasn't confirmed what will power the Omoda C3, though Chery offers petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains among its crowded array of brands.
Chery has confirmed it plans to expand its range of smaller models, with the 4200mm-long Omoda C3 to be joined by the 4000mm-long Omoda C2 and 3800mm-long Omoda C1.
According to a presentation attended by Paul Tan, Chery also plans similarly sized T1, T2 and T3 models for its namesake brand, as well as L1, L2 and L3 models for its recently announced Lepas brand and a J3 small SUV for Jaecoo.
The Jaecoo brand has just launched here, while its companion brand Omoda will launch here in the second half of 2025.
Chery currently offers the Omoda 5 here under its namesake brand, but though it's sold under the Omoda brand in some markets, it's set to lose its Omoda branding in our market.