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In case the influx of Chinese EVs into the UK isn’t already confusing enough, now there’s another entrant: The Deepal S07. Built by Chinese manufacturer Changan, the S07 is an SUV crossover and will arrive in the UK by the end of the year. The all-electric vehicle comes with a 160kW motor and has a range of 295 miles on a single charge.
Designed in Turin at the brand’s European centre, the S07 will be engineered (developed, tweaked and tested for the UK) at Changan’s Birmingham research development base, after being produced in China , and will be sold through 20 dealerships initially. Prices start at £39,990 which makes it more expensive than rivals including the Kia EV3 (£32,940) and the Skoda Elroq (£31,710). Changan might sound like just another Chinese automotive player to pop out the unknown, but it’s actually been present in Europe for over 20 years.
One of China’s top four automotive groups, Changan promises ‘seamless innovation’ with its vehicles that reflect its 40 years of manufacturing expertise. Although the S07 is Chinese, it’s been tested and calibrated in the UK and represents Changan’s presence in Europe for over 20 years. In fact, Changan says its been adapted more than 150 times for local UK conditions. As such it comes with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty.
Outside it looks a bit like its trying to be a Polestar 4 up front and an MG4 at the rear, and its ‘bold profile’ is complemented by hidden door handles and a full-width LED lightbar. Powered by a 80kWh battery the rear-wheel drive S07 produces 215bhp and 320nM of torque.
It can cover 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and DC fast charging can top up 10 to 80 per cent of its 295-mile range in 48 minutes. Inside the SUV you get a panoramic sunroof, wraparound yacht-inspired detailing, heated and ventilated vegan seats and a heated wheel, as well as wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a 14-speaker premium sound system with a driver’s speaker in the headrest, and keyless entry and smartphone app.
But the huge pull in the interior is the 15.6-inch sunflower rotating touchscreen which turns to look at you when you drive – like a sunflower turns to the sun. It’s accompanied by gesture recognition and a head-up display with augmented reality (AR) navigation. There’s also LED multi-colour and dynamic ambient lighting to make the interior feel extra plush.
Nic Thomas, managing director of Changan UK, said: ‘The Changan Deepal S07 is designed to make electric driving accessible, enjoyable, and practical for UK consumers. ‘It combines sleek design, intuitive technology designed around the customer, and real-world range with a price point that makes sense. We believe it will truly resonate with British drivers looking for a high-quality EV without compromise.’
Available immediately at the 20 Changan UK dealers, this availability will expand to 50 dealer sites by the end of 2025, ‘supported by a UK parts hub and dedicated aftersales network ensuring gold standard customer care’.
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