Look out BYD Shark 6 and Nissan Qashqai e-Power! Deepal gets serious with two new EV and range-extender models arriving in the second half of 2025: the compact S05 SUV and category-bending E07 SUV-ute

Hot on the heels of its recently introduced mid-size S07 EV SUV, Deepal Australia has confirmed it will be joined by two new models in the second half of this year - the smaller S05 SUV and category-bending E07, the latter combining key attributes of a five-seat SUV with a convertible ute rear end.

Each model is sold in battery electric (BEV) and extended range electric (EREV) form in the domestic Chinese market and it’s yet to be determined if the newcomers will be offered in both forms in Australia.

Available in (175kW/320Nm) single-motor, two-wheel drive and (295kW) dual-motor, all-wheel drive form, the S05 measures 4.6m long, 1.9m wide and 1.6m high.

Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is a rapid 7.5 seconds in the single motor and an even quicker 5.5sec in the dual motor version.

Battery capacity for the BEV is 69kWh and a 30-80 per cent DC recharge is possible in a claimed 15 minutes, with a range of 470kW for the 2WD and 430km for the AWD. AC charge rate is 7.0kW and 11kW, for two- and AWD, respectively.

Standard spec for the S05 includes a large head-up display in place of a conventional instrument cluster and a 15.4-inch floating central screen managing everything from drive modes and vehicle settings to nav, media and ventilation.

Deepal says it’s “exploring both drive options” and is aiming to have powertrain specification finalised by the time the new cars are displayed at the Everything Electric Australia show in Sydney (March 7-9, 2025), or at the latest, the returning Melbourne Motor Show scheduled for early April.

It adds trim options as well as final Australian specifications and pricing for the S05 and E07 will be revealed later this year. 

For the time being, on a direct currency conversion the S05 ranges from $27,000 to $33,000 in its home market.

@carsguide.com.au Deepal’s E07 is family SUV business in the front, a ute party in the back and it’s coming here. #Deepal #E07 #car #carsguide #fyp ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

The five-seat E07 is a more adventurous introduction, the premium SUV/ute mash-up offering a unique proposition in the Aussie new car market.

Its signature party trick comes in the form of a two-stage electric sliding rear roof section and power tailgate with load-through capability once the rear seats are folded.

In China, it’s priced between the equivalent of $44,300 and $70,000 across seven trim levels. With an almost inevitable export market price bump it will live in the same ball park as a bunch of premium dual cab utes and mid-size to large SUVs here.

Measuring 5045mm long, 1996mm wide and 1680mm tall with a 3120mm wheelbase, and thanks no doubt to that swoopy rear end, it boasts an impressively slippery drag co-efficient of 0.237.

When asked to characterise the E07's appeal, Deepal Australia General manager Cormac Cafolla said, “It can do a little bit of everything. We see it sitting somewhere in the ute segment (and) the SUV segment.

“I think it can offer a lot to the Australian consumer, the Australian family. It’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife in terms of what it can do and what it can offer.”

And on the subject of whether it will be a niche player or capture more mainstream appeal Mr Cafolla said, “That’ll depend on the reaction in the market. I don’t think it has to be purely niche. It can do a lot for a lot of people. So, we’ll see.”

At the same time Deepal has confirmed the high-riding G318, a more upright off-road-style five-seater (offered in 2WD and 4WD) is “under strong consideration” for Australia.

Named after a major highway covering over 5000km between Shanghai in the east and Zhangmu near the Tibetan border to the west, it’s rumoured to be heading for sale in the UK, which means right-hand drive production is in the offing.

The roughly 5.0m long G318 is a single- or dual-motor range-extender, with a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine acting as a generator only (with no drive connection to the wheels).

Pricing in China ranges from $38,300 to $69,000 and available combined range is in excess of 1000km on the CLTC scale. EV-only range is a handy 174km.

Deepal also said it’s considering a range-extender version of the S07 for this market, even though it’s not currently available in right-hand drive.