Latest news with #Deepal
Auto Express
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Changan Deepal S07 just weeks from UK launch: beats Tesla Model Y on price, but not range
Another day, another electric SUV from China is trying to pick a fight with the best-selling Tesla Model Y. Today's challenger is the new Changan Deepal S07, which will be arriving on UK shores within the next few months and is priced from £39,950. That's more than £5,000 less than than the starting price of its chief rival. Advertisement - Article continues below The price tag for the Deepal S07 is within a few hundred pounds of the Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5 – two other electric mid-size SUVs we rate very highly – and undercuts fellow Chinese newcomer the XPeng G6 by a whisker. It can't match the Renault Scenic though, which is available from close to £37k. But while the Deepal S07 can compete with rivals on price, its 295-mile claimed range is a long way off the class best, despite the car using a large 80kWh battery. For context, the most efficient version of the updated Tesla Model Y can cover up to 387 miles in one go, and even the base car has a 311-mile range. The Deepal S07's charging capabilities don't make up for the range shortfall. It has a maximum charging speed of 92kW, and as a result it takes a whopping 48 minutes to get from 10 to 80 per cent. Most of the Changan's competitors can do the same job in less than half an hour, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 needs as little as 18 minutes. At least ordering the car should be quick, because there'll be a single specification equipped with a panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, 15.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging pad, a head-up display with augmented reality navigation, 14-speaker sound system with speakers in the headrests, and heated and ventilated front seats. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Designed in Italy, the Deepal S07 has been given a look that is intended to be dynamic and sleek, while its minimalist interior is dominated by the huge central touchscreen. The car has achieved the maximum five-star crash-test safety rating from industry expert Euro NCAP, which is no surprise considering the army of driver assistance systems that also come as standard, including adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue monitoring and 360-degree surround-view camera. With the first customer cars expected to arrive by September, the Changan Deepal S07 will probably go on sale in the summer but precisely when is still unclear. You won't have heard of Changan before, but it's been around for more than 40 years and is now one of the largest car manufacturers in China. It has joint ventures with Ford and Mazda in its domestic market, plus a UK R&D centre in Birmingham. Much like Chery – another Chinese automotive giant which owns the Omoda and Jaecoo brands that recently launched in the UK – Changan operates several marques, including Deepal, that sold nearly a quarter of a million EVs globally last year alone. But even before a single Deepal S07 has been sold in Europe, it's been announced that the smaller, more affordable Deepal S05 SUV is on its way too, with a choice of pure-electric or range-extender hybrid powertrains. The Changan E07 electrified pick-up truck is apparently coming here as well, but exactly when hasn't been confirmed yet. It's also unclear how the Deepal S07 and its siblings will be sold over here. We're assuming the brand will rely on more traditional franchise dealerships as according to Leevon Tian, deputy general manager of Changan's European holding company: 'We have carefully selected partners who share our commitment to customer service excellence and have deep experience in their local markets.' He added: 'We are launching our European spare parts hub in the Netherlands, which will serve as the central distribution point for the dealer network, while there are more in planning. This infrastructure ensures that we can provide comprehensive sales and after-sales support from day one.' Click here for our list of the best electric cars ... Find a car with the experts Ford should bring back the Fiesta. Oh no it shouldn't! Ford should bring back the Fiesta. Oh no it shouldn't! Bringing back the Ford Fiesta is a genius move, or a potential catastrophe Car Deal of the Day: Volvo XC60 Black Edition is a mean-looking, posh SUV for under £450 a month Car Deal of the Day: Volvo XC60 Black Edition is a mean-looking, posh SUV for under £450 a month The XC60 is Volvo's best-selling car, and loved by Brits. It's our Deal of the Day for 6 May Car Deal of the Day: The almighty Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for under £500 per month Car Deal of the Day: The almighty Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for under £500 per month Our Deal of the Day for 4 May is the reigning Auto Express Performance Car of the Year
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Tesla sales fall again in Germany as drivers steer clear of Musk
Despite a surge in electric vehicle sales, Tesla's registrations plummeted 45.9% in Germany last month, with Chinese rival BYD outperforming it by nearly double. Tesla sales nosedived again in Germany last month even as electric vehicle sales rose strongly, data showed Tuesday, as German drivers voted with their wallets against billionaire owner Elon Musk. Just 885 Tesla electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in April, 45.9 percent fewer than the same month last year, the KBA federal transport authority said. Chinese competitor shines That was almost half as many as BYD, a Chinese competitor, managed: 1,556 BYDs were registered in April, a rise of 756 percent on the year. At the same time, overall EV registrations rose 53.5 percent year-on-year and now account for almost 19 percent of the market, the highest share since the government removed a subsidy for electric vehicles in December 2023. Musk's politics spark German consumer revolt Tesla's sales have been slowing worldwide due to a combination of fierce Chinese competition as well as anger at Musk's outspoken political positions. He has faced particular hostility in Germany for backing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) before February's general election by appearing via video link at a rally and broadcasting a conversation with its co-leader, Alice Weidel, on his X platform. ALSO READ: US attorney general calls Tesla attacks 'domestic terrorism' Other political parties in Germany shun the AfD and Germany's domestic intelligence agency last week classified it as a right-wing extremist organisation. Some German Tesla drivers have put 'I bought this before Elon went crazy' stickers on their vehicles and the backlash has also taken more forceful forms. Protests against Tesla Tesla cars have been targeted in suspected arson attacks in Berlin and Dresden, and protesters have staged demonstrations against the carmaker. Over the three months to April, Tesla registrations fell a whopping 60.4 percent from the same period a year ago. Overall car registrations in Germany fell 0.2 percent in April versus the previous year, a sign that the market is stabilising after they fell almost four percent in March. Tesla chairman Robyn Denholm last week denied that the carmaker's board was looking to replace Musk as CEO. NOW READ: Incoming EV and range extending Deepal SUVs could be these
Business Insider
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
There's another new player in China's EV SUV game. I gave it a ride.
At first glance, the Deepal S07's aggressive stance, sharp lines, and coupe-like roofline gave off serious Lamborghini Urus vibes. But while it resembled the Italian, gas-powered SUV, the S07 is fully electric. The Raging Bull is also not the type of brand that this Chinese EV looks like it's trying to compete with. Instead, the Deepal S07, the company's first SUV, would be better compared with other EVs, including Tesla, Volkswagen, and BYD. Still, I thought it made a bold first impression — just in a smaller, much more wallet-friendly package than the Lamborghini. I later found out that Deepal's flagship SUV was designed in Turin, Italy, and assembled in Nanjing, China. Deepal is an electric vehicle brand under state-owned Changan Automobile, one of China's oldest automakers. While Deepal is a newer player in the EV space, Changan started building cars in 1959 and released its first Deepal model in 2022. Changan has big aspirations for the Deepal brand. At the end of last year, Deng Chenghao, the president of Deepal, gave a speech to celebrate the rollout of the company's 400,000th car. He said the company aims to deliver another 500,000 cars — 400,000 in China, and 100,000 for the global market — by the end of this year, per iChongqing, a government-affiliated English-language news platform. In China, the Deepal S07 is priced between 169,900 and 197,900 Chinese yuan, or $23,300 and $27,200. The brand expanded into Thailand in 2023, followed by Australia, Mexico, Nepal, and Pakistan. In March, the cars began selling in Singapore. In a press release from March, Shen Xing Hua, the managing director of Changan Southeast Asia, said Singapore plays a pivotal role in the company's globalisation strategy. "This will support our goal of surpassing $10 billion in overseas market investment and achieving over 1.2 million annual sales in overseas markets by 2030," Shen said. Over my 22 years in the automotive scene, I've test-driven cars in Singapore and abroad, getting behind the wheel of everything from supercars to pickup trucks. The Deepal S07 is being marketed as a premium EV SUV So what's the Deepal S07 like to drive? For two days in mid-April, I test drove a fully specced S07 across Singapore. Here, the car retails for 220,000 Singapore dollars, or $170,000. Car prices are significantly higher in Singapore than most other countries because of the extra tax and registration costs. The Lamborghini Urus costs around SG$1.5 million, and BYD's Sealion 7, the S07's direct competitor, retails for between SG$212,888 to SG$237,888. Marketed as a premium EV SUV, the S07 had 19-inch wheels, a large glass roof with a sunshade, and sleek door handles that popped out only when I unlocked the car. I found that the bold front and dynamic rear design were a refreshing change from the more rounded contours of the Tesla Model Y, another midsize SUV. The cameras and sensors are tucked neatly into the body. And, as I'm into the details, I liked that the panel gaps were minimal. In all, it was a far cry from the Chinese cars I test drove 15 years ago. Back then, it often felt like I was checking out unfinished prototypes — the kind that made me wonder how long they'd hold up. The improvement in the Deepal S07 is a testament to the strides Chinese manufacturers have made. Comfortable back seats I drove the SUV around most of Singapore and felt comfortable behind the wheel the whole time. I had great visibility from the expansive glass area throughout. My butt was comfy on the terracotta leather cushioned seats, but I did feel like the driver's seat could use better shoulder support for long drives. I tried sitting in the back and found the rear seats comfortable for two adults — there's plenty of space. The flat floor also gives the third person in the middle enough legroom. Take in the view All the windows were double-glazed, which helped cut down wind and road noise from outside, even at highway speeds. I didn't go over 65 miles per hour (thanks to Singapore's speed cameras), but even when I came close, it was impressively quiet inside. I tested out the 14-speaker sound system by blasting John Mayer on Spotify while driving along the highway — the audio quality was impressive. Plenty of trunk space, both in the front and back Both the front and back of the Deepal S07 have a lot of space for storage. Travelers can fit two big suitcases and a few duffel bags into the rear trunk and a carry-on in the frunk. It's all on the screen The lack of physical buttons — most functions are handled through a 15.6-inch touchscreen — gives the cabin a clean, modern look. That said, I couldn't help but think I'd need some time to adjust if I bought this car. Part of that's because I'd be a first-time EV owner, but also because almost everything runs through the screen. Wiper speed, climate control, seat heating, audio — it's all digital. Sticking with the button-less theme, the hazard light switch was mounted on the ceiling. It took me a few minutes to find, and it made me think it was a pretty impractical spot. Smooth acceleration and steering One pleasant surprise with the S07 was how it skips that "rocket launch" feeling I've felt in other EVs — the kind of jolt you get with some Teslas and Porsches. There were no sudden sprints that might leave a passenger clutching their seat. It accelerated with a smooth ease, proving that performance doesn't always have to come with a side of whiplash. The steering had a reassuring weight and precision to it. As I navigated a series of bends, I noticed an uncanny similarity to the way a BMW X3 handles. Let down by the tires That said, the factory-fitted tires didn't quite do the car's chassis justice. A higher-performance tire with better grip and sidewall stability would probably bring out the S07's full dynamic potential. This car stands out as a strong alternative to the more established EV SUVs. If I were shopping for one, I'd definitely look beyond the usual suspects and give the S07 a serious look.
AU Financial Review
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- AU Financial Review
This Chinese-made electric SUV is giving Tesla a run for its money
Unless you've been hiding under a V8 Commodore, you'll have noticed a cavalcade of Chinese-branded electric cars, some of them already making big inroads into the local market. To name just a few already here or soon on their way: BYD, Chery, Deepal, Geely, GWM, IM (a luxury spin-off from MG, itself a Chinese brand), Leapmotor, Skywell (which seems to be calling its first SUV a Skyworth), Smart, Xpeng and Zeekr.
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Car review: Deepal S05 and E07 bound for Singapore later in 2025
CHONGQING – As a brand under Chinese state-owned automotive giant Changan, Deepal is positioning itself as a label that focuses on digital technology. It made its foray into Singapore in March with the S07, a mid-sized electric sport utility vehicle (SUV). During a visit to the motor show in Shanghai in April, The Straits Times test-drove two models slated to join the Singapore line-up in the coming months, the S05 compact SUV and the E07, an unusual SUV-meets-truck concept. Deepal S05 The sporty-looking S05 is slightly bigger than the BYD Atto 3, measuring 4,620mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,660mm in height . Its distinctive features are its slim headlights and sweeping rear LED strip integrated into the tail lights, similar to the Porsche Macan. The overall design is tasteful but conventional, making it challenging to differentiate it from the already crowded compact SUV space. Like many new electric vehicles (EVs), the cabin is designed with minimalism that gives the feeling of spaciousness. A 14.5-inch centre-mounted touchscreen dominates the dashboard with no instrument cluster. Like Deepal's S07 sold in Singapore, the screen swivels towards the driver when the car is started. The cabin has a high-quality feel, with most surfaces clad in soft synthetic leather. The seats are comfortable and adjust easily to provide good driving posture. What I find interesting on the steering wheel are the thumb toggle switches that look uncannily like those on other Chinese EVs, including the Zeekr X. Are the manufacturers sharing parts to save on cost? The back of the S05 is roomy and seats three people comfortably. Creature comforts include two USB ports, air-conditioning vents and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. The boot space is nothing to shout about at 492 litres, which is class-competitive. It is big and accessible enough for weekend groceries. Based on the short drive on the test track in Changan's facility in Chongqing , the S05 leaves a good first impression. It is not overwhelmingly powerful, but the pick-up is brisk. The 177kW motor powering the rear wheels delivers a 0-100kmh timing of around 7.5 seconds. Slamming on the light-feeling brake pedal from 70kmh or so brings the 1.6-tonne car to a halt confidently . Around corners, the car feels nimble with some body roll. The S05 will be in Singapore by the last quarter of 2025 . It will likely come with 99kW of power to join the already crowded space of EVs that qualify for the Category A certificate of entitlement (COE). Take it as a win for consumer choice. Deepal S05 Price: Sub-$190,000 with COE before rebates (estimated for 99kW version) Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous with a 68.8kWh lithium-ion battery Transmission: Single-speed, automatic rear-wheel drive Power: 177kW (as tested) Torque: 320Nm 0-100kmh: 7.5 seconds Top speed: 180kmh Power consumption: 12.5kWh/100km Charging capacity: 168kW DC; 7kW AC Agent: DPL Premium Automobiles Deepal E07 Hybrid concept: The Deepal E07 combines the idea of a premium SUV with an open-deck pick-up. PHOTO: JONATHAN NG The Deepal E07 is a fine example of how Chinese auto manufacturers are experimenting with hybrid-use vehicles. This car's headline feature is that it is a cross between an SUV and a utility vehicle, or what the Australians affectionately refer to as an 'ute', with a loading deck that can be left open. Especially when viewed from the side, the E07 gives off Tesla Cybertruck vibes, with its heavily raked and flat rear glass panel – which serves as the tonneau cover – that meets a vertical tailgate. Pushing a sequence of buttons on the side of the cargo area will electrically retract the glass panel and open the tailgate, converting the E07 into its ute configuration. There are 638 litres of boot space. To maximise capacity to a more than respectable 1,860 litres, the rear seats can be folded and the glass separating the cabin from the boot retracted. The maximum payload weight in the boot is 300kg, which is quite low for a car designed to haul cargo, but the option to have an open deck makes it convenient to carry bulky items such as bicycles and furniture. Apart from the unusual cargo area arrangement, the area between the headlights on the car in China is actually a customisable digital message board. I am not confident the authorities in Singapore will allow such a feature. The overall design is reminiscent of a coupe-inspired SUV, with muscular wheel arches and flared bumpers, so it looks sophisticated yet rugged . It is a big car, comparable with large seven-seater SUVs like the Mazda CX-90, with a length of 5,045mm, width of 1,996mm and height of 1,680mm. Minimalist design: Funky colour aside, the E07's interior is elegantly simple with a screen that tilts towards the driver on start-up. PHOTO: JONATHAN NG The E07 tested is fitted with orange and black soft plastics across the cockpit and panels. The comfortable seats are wrapped in a matching synthetic leather. Apart from the steering-mounted gear selector stalk and indicators, the car functions are controlled and displayed on a large 15.4-inch infotainment screen mounted in the centre of the dashboard. Acceleration is punchy on the rear-wheel drive, single-motor 252kW version tested. This is enough to propel the car from 0-100kmh in 6.7 seconds – not bad for a ute. Steering is precise and not too overly assisted, and the ride is plush. The E07 comes with air suspension with height-adjustable air springs, which soak up the jarring bumps on the test track's metal grating obstacle. The Deepal E07 has two variants. The rear-wheel drive model has a 252kW motor with 342Nm of torque, while the all-wheel drive version adds an extra motor, raising the total power output to 440kW and 645Nm of torque. Deepal E07 Price: Just over $200,000 with COE before rebates (estimated) Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous with a 70.6kWh lithium-ion battery Transmission: Single-speed, automatic rear-wheel drive Power: 252kW Torque: 342Nm 0-100kmh: 6.7 seconds Top speed: 201kmh Power consumption: 14.2 kWh/100km Charging capacity: 240kW DC; 7kW AC Agent: DPL Premium Automobiles Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
