- China’s CHANGAN Automobile made its European debut this month, and will bring eight specific models to the region over the next three years – with the first model being the CHANGAN DEEPAL S07.
- This midsize SUV will be available in both BEV and PHEV form.
- ElectricDrives was invited to CHANGAN’s European launch event in Germany, where we learnt more about the future of the new OEM in Europe and got our first driving impressions on the CHANGAN DEEPAL S07, in fully-electric BEV form.
With European pricing for the DEEPAL S07 now confirmed to start at €45,000 (or an estimated £40,000), this new EV is priced very closely to other electric SUVs on the market, such as the €44,990 Tesla Model Y. However, one of its Chinese rivals, the Leapmotor C10, starts at a lower €36,400 / £36,500. Will the DEEPAL S07 have what it takes to take on the competitive European electric SUV market?
First impressions
The DEEPAL S07 exists as one of three specific brands the manufacturer is bringing to Europe: Specifically, CHANGAN, DEEPAL, which as a technology-first image, and AVATR, its high-end brand.
On the styling front, the DEEPAL S07 successfully differentiates itself from the competition. While CHANGAN is only just starting to sell automobiles in Europe, it has operated a European design centre in Turin, Italy for over two decades, with the DEEPAL S07 also being designed here – with design led by Bertrand Bach, who also worked on exterior design for models from Volkswagen and General Motors in the past. The manufacturer has noted that ‘European aesthetic preferences’ were chosen in the design phase, which should assist in making this newcomer brand a success in Europe.
The premium feel of the exterior carries through to the inside, with swathes of leather and soft touch materials. If you search a little lower in the cabin you will find some cheaper-feeling plastics, but that’s to be expected for an EV at this price point. Unlike some European OEMs such as Volkswagen, which are vowing to bring physical buttons back, the DEEPAL S07 goes for a minimalist screen-led layout, much like the Model Y. Physical controls for functions such as wipers, gear changing, and on-wheel controls still remain, however.
Drive and battery
WLTP range for the DEEPAL S07 is rated at 475 km / 295 miles, a range which CHANGAN claim will be achievable even in the real world. After watching the battery indicator over the 80 kilometres or so route we took, that figure certainly feels more than feasible. Regenerative braking can be adjusted to suit the driver, though true one-pedal driving is not possible – with the regeneration cutting out below around 15 km/h.
Naturally, with the launch event being held in Germany, the test route also included a stretch of derestricted autobahn – and even up to the DEEPAL S07’s maximum speed of 180 km/h (112 mph), it felt stable on the road, and refined in terms of wind and tyre noise. Of course, driving any EV at that will drain the battery much faster than usual. Even so, it helps to prove that the DEEPAL S07 will still be a great long-distance cruiser at lower motorway speeds, while the comfort of the seats also indicate a car that you could happily spend long hours in. On narrower roads, the 360-degree camera system comes in handy for judging width.
Whilst the relatively short test route didn’t give us a chance to check out the DEEPAL S07’s charging capabilities, the stats indicate a maximum rapid charging speed of 93 kW, enough to go from 30-80% charge in around 35 minutes. Compared to EVs like the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4 however, this maximum charging speed falls short. With ultra-rapid charging stations quickly popping up across Europe, such as Fastned’s 400kW chargers, it’ll be interesting to see if CHANGAN makes an improvement to this speed on future model years of this car, to fully utilise the rapidly-improving public network. On another note, the built in charger mapping is just as capable as we’ve come to see in other EVs.
Technology
With the level of technology and equipment on board, CHANGAN is hoping to pin the DEEPAL S07 as a high-value proposition. The list of standard equipment is extensive, including a 360-degree camera, heads-up display, and a central-mounted 15.6-inch touchscreen – which also has Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality. The brains behind the screen include a Qualcomm processor (the same brand that provides processors for some of the best Android phones) and 12GB of RAM, and as such, the interface feels smooth and lag free – particularly important, considering how many key controls rely on this screen.
Just one optional extra is available on the DEEPAL S07: A retractable tow bar, allowing the car to tow weights of up to 1,500kg. This could also make it a strong option for the best electric car for towing.
Conclusion
Entering a new market is no easy task, and CHANGAN’s first model looks primed to be a success when you consider its value proposition. It was also recently awarded a five star Euro NCAP safety rating, which should further attract buyers to what is a relatively unheard of brand in Europe.
CHANGAN has bigger plans than just the DEEPAL S07. It plans to bring eight models to the European market over the next three years, while it has already constructed a parts hub in The Netherlands to provide strong aftercare support – a key move for new entrants. Order books for the DEEPAL S07 will open in select European territories, including the UK, this summer.
