Is this the new Apple iCar?

The top-secret Apple iCar project has had a tumultuous gestation, but a Taiwanese auto group with strong links to Apple has unveiled an all-new model that could pave the way to the US tech giant’s long-awaited electric car.

Among three EVs presented by Taiwanese conglomerate Foxconn in Taipei this week was a small SUV that’s set to go on sale in 2023 wearing Yulon badges.

But it just as easily could be fitted with the iconic Apple symbol.

The Foxconn/Yulon Model C is claimed to offer a range of 700km while accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

As the world’s largest assembler of iPhones, Foxconn already has a close business relationship with Apple, which is reportedly still targeting a 2024 launch for its nebulous iCar project.

The $US2.4 trillion tech giant has long harboured desires to leverage its influential brand to sell, or offer subscription plans for, electric cars that have a high level of autonomous driving capability.

And Foxconn now looks to be a front-runner to develop the Apple iCar.

As well as the Model C, the new EVs unveiled this week were the Model T bus and a Pininfarina-designed Model E sedan.

All three are confirmed for production and were developed in collaboration with Taiwanese car-maker Yulon Motor.

Foxconn also plans to mass-produce the Lordstown Endurance electric pick-up at a factory in Ohio in the US it purchased earlier this month from Lordstown Motor for $US280 million.

It will also have the capacity to build other EVs at the Ohio plant…

“We are no longer the new kid in town. We have gradually built an EV supply chain and showcased our EV hardware,” said Foxconn chairman Young Liu.

After several stalled attempts to develop the vehicle itself, Apple reportedly cut its 1000-strong team of automotive engineers devoted to the so-called ‘Project Titan’.

It subsequently courted several major car-makers to build the vehicle, including BMW and Hyundai, however all eyes are now on Foxconn.