Chery has launched a special-edition version of its all-electric QQ3 small car, the Modern Edition, priced at 88,900 yuan (about $12,500) as a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives. The model, unveiled on September 22, brings a Neo Retro design language with exclusive exterior and interior upgrades, according to Chinese outlet D1EV.
The Modern Edition is positioned as the "quality anchor" of the QQ3 family, not a volume seller. It builds on the standard QQ3 with features such as a 'Golden Age' grille, chrome trim, two-tone body colors, and a cabin finished with houndstooth fabric, velvet headliner, and contrasting seat belts. The car measures 4,229 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase, typical for a small battery-electric vehicle (BEV).
Under the skin, the Modern Edition uses a rear-mounted 90 kW motor (about 121 hp) and a CLTC-rated range of 420 km. That CLTC figure is roughly 15-20% more optimistic than the WLTP cycle, so a realistic estimate would be around 340-357 km (est.). The battery, called Rhino, supports fast charging from 30% to 80% in as little as 16.5 minutes and provides 6.6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) output. The suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup at the rear, a rarity in this segment.
Retro revival with strong sales
The QQ3's return to the market has been commercially strong. Since its launch in March, the model has exceeded 10,000 monthly sales for five consecutive months, with August deliveries reaching 19,103 units, up 64.07% month-on-month. Of those, 13,911 were sold in China and 5,192 overseas. The car's success is partly attributed to its pricing: the standard range starts at 58,900 yuan (about $8,300) and tops out at 78,900 yuan (about $11,100).
The original Chery QQ, launched in 2003, sold over 1.6 million units before production ended in 2014, becoming an early example of Chinese car-brand IP. The new QQ3, which returned as a BEV on March 30, 2026, saw over 10,000 blind orders in 20 minutes and 27,319 orders in three hours, showing the enduring appeal of the nameplate.
The Modern Edition adds to the lineup with a 15.6-inch 2.5K central screen, a Qualcomm 8155 chip, and the Carmind AI assistant. It also includes a 540-degree camera system, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and L2-level driver assistance with 15 functions, plus over-the-air (OTA) updates that recently added features like voice control from outside the car and a rain-night mode for the camera view.
Safety and export appeal
Safety hardware includes a cage body with 82% high-strength steel and 16% hot-formed steel, a 1,300 MPa door ring, six airbags, and a six-dimensional battery safety certification. The car's 5.2-meter turning radius keeps it agile in urban settings.
Overseas, the QQ3 has found early traction in Southeast Asia, with cumulative pre-orders in Thailand and Indonesia quickly surpassing 20,000 units. D1EV notes that the Modern Edition's purpose is to elevate the perceived quality of the entire QQ3 range, potentially raising expectations for what small EVs can offer.
