More choices on the way from Deepal?

WITH the arrival of its first vehicle Down Under imminent, “new” Chinese brand Deepal paraded a range of tasty “possibles and probables” — vehicles it would like to bring here or might bring to Australia —at its recent brand launch.

The company has available fully-electric BEV and hybrid powertrains through its line up and on first impression, based on what we saw at Deepal’s function, all appear built to a high standard.

All five concepts on show could lift to a higher level the perception here of Chinese cars.

We’ll have to wait to find out as the actual drive may altogether be a different kettle of fish.

Display models spanned a big chunky 4x4 vehicle with roof rack-integrated driving lights called the G318 through an imposing and rather ugly big coupe-style SUV called the E07 that had “Auto Pilot” ominously emblazoned across the front, to a large Camry-style five-door sedan/hatch called the L07 and a small coupe-SUV called the S05.

They joined Deepal’s first entrant into the Aussie market, the mid-size coupe-style SUV called the S07.

Looking at this lot, it explains why Deepal Australia’s new general manager, Cormac Cafolla, wasn’t kidding when he suggested the brand “will shake things up in the market” and help “create the brand” because it will “resonate with the people”.

Mr Cafolla’s excitement to “see where the journey takes us” is underlined when you delve a little deeper into Deepal’s owner Changan Automobile — a major player in the Chinese automotive space —and the cars it is likely to export and sell here through distribution partner Inchcape.

Lets take a look at the teaser cars one at a time:

Deepal G318

This is a big, boxy, Prado-size 4x4 that is built on a ladder chassis with wide, integrated rails and powered by either a petrol/electric hybrid powertrain — with dual electric motors and a petrol engine — or a BEV dual-motor electric powertrain.

The 200kW (Extended Range Electric Vehicle – EREV) hybrid, used in other Deepal models, uses its 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four cylinder exclusively as a generator that is not connected to the axles.

A couple of battery sizes are available including a 28.4kWh that gives up to 100km EV driving.

The dual electric variant is a simpler motor per axle arrangement while a hydrogen hybrid powertrain option is also available in China.

The model features five terrain modes — mud, snow, sand, rugged and wading — and rolls on a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension. It has a centre variable locking differential and a magnetic locking rear diff’.

An extensive array of ADAS is fitted in the 5010mm long, 1985mm wide and 1960mm high 4x4 that rides on a 2880mm wheelbase. It may be available in three row configuration.

Deepal E07

With “Auto Pilot” emblazoned across the front, Deepal’s intentions for this big, some might say ugly coupe-SUV are clear … it has 11 cameras to assist drivers who can’t drive.

The E07 is available overseas in different powertrain configurations including the EREV hybrid, similar to the Deepal G318, that combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with either single or dual-electric drive motors.

Both single and dual motor BEVs are also available. The single is rated at 252kW and only drives the rear wheels, while the dual motor is, clearly, all-wheel drive and has 370kW that is capable of pushing the 2278kg luxury five-seater from 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.0-seconds.

The EREV hybrid (single motor) has a claimed 200km EV-only range.

The E07 is equipped to a luxury standard with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, 18-speaker audio and augmented reality head-up display among its inventory that also features extensive ADAS. Its rear seat folds to form a ute-like load space under the tapering lift-back but payload is limited to only 300kg.

Deepal L07

The L07 is a medium/large lift back sedan that is offered in three powertrain options: BEV, hybrid petrol/electric and an electric vehicle with a hydrogen electrochemical generator. If it was to become available Down Under, you could drop the latter from the list.

The BEV runs a single 163kW/320Nm electric motor and has a claimed range of up to 700km, Deepal’s links with battery maker CATL no doubt assisting the long-range capability.

The hybrid EREV variant has a non-turbo 1.5-litre petrol generator engine feeding power to an electric motor to produce 192kW with a range of up to a claimed 1200km supported by an NMC battery made by Changan New Energy.

Deepal describes the handsome L07 as having a “sharp exterior design that allows for a drag coefficient of Cd 0.23 assisting the BEV variant to achieve a claimed energy consumption of 12.3 kWh/100km.

The L07 is equipped with 27 different sensors and L4 autonomous driving support from powerful Qualcomm computer chips.

Deepal S05

The S05  is a small coupe-SUV, the brand’s entry-level model in pure electric and EREV variants.

It adopts Deepal’s new design language shared with the incoming S07 in this instance with a more rounded overall shape.

Inside is a replication of the minimalist but stylish idiom found in the S07 centred on a large, ‘floating’ landscape touchscreen.

The model measures 4620mm long, 1900mm wide and 1600mm high on a 2880mm wheelbase.

Power for the BEV variant comes from a single 175kW electric motor fed by a 56.12kWh LFP battery pack, giving a claimed 510km range.

The EREV version has a 160kW electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine/generator similar to other hybrids in Deepal’s line up.