Before you even adjust your seatbelt or tap the brake pedal, the Deepal S07 greets you with a cheerful, “Hi! I’m Deepal!”

It’s chipper and just a little too enthusiastic, like an intern on their first day who insists on calling everyone “boss”. But as far as first impressions go, it works. It sets the tone for a car that tries, sometimes too hard, but always with its heart in the right place.

Not Just Another EV From China

By now, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) wave has firmly crashed onto our shores, and we’re spoiled for choice. But Deepal is a name still fresh in Singaporean ears.

It’s the EV sub-brand of Changan Automobile, a state-owned industrial juggernaut that traces its lineage back to making guns for the Qing dynasty.

But there’s nothing militaristic about the S07’s approach. Instead of brute force, it leans into beauty. Designed in Turin, the S07 wears its proportions like a well-cut blazer.

Frameless windows, crisp body lines, and a drag coefficient of just 0.258 hint at the designers’ obsession with both form and function.

But Style Has Its Price

Of course, swoopy silhouettes come with trade-offs. The S07’s low-slung roofline and raked rear glass make outward visibility more of a challenge. Luckily the car does include blind spot monitors and a 360-degree camera system.

There’s also no automated parking feature here, which is surprising in a car that’s otherwise brimming with driver assistance tech. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation all make the cut, but you, the human, are still expected to do the dirty work. Not that I mind, of course.

A Drive That Soothes, Not Startles

Step on the accelerator, and the Deepal doesn’t launch like a caffeine-crazed greyhound. Instead, it sets off measured and composed. With 218bhp and rear-wheel drive, it’ll go from 0 to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

What matters more is how it feels. The S07 floats along with the comfort of a continental cruiser. Think more Mercedes glide than BMW grip. The suspension tuning leans towards plushness, and the steering is light, ideal for city commutes and winding carpark ramps. There’s a flicker of dynamism in the chassis, suggesting the car could hustle if it really wanted to, but it’s let down by tyres that are better suited to a shopping trolley.

Still, for most people like school-run heroes, the weekday warriors, the weekend wanderers, this serene demeanour will be just right.

Cabin Calm, with a Touch of Swank

And these folks will appreciate the cabin, where the S07 really shows its cards. The cabin is awash with soft-touch materials and thoughtful details.

The pièce de résistance is the 15.6-inch touchscreen that can swivel to face either front occupant. It’s a neat party trick, especially if your passenger wants to DJ or doom-scroll in full view.

Ambient lighting adds to the lounge-like atmosphere, and the seats, wrapped in plush synthetic leather, are wonderfully welcoming.

Rear passengers get even more space to stretch out thanks to the flat floor and generous wheelbase.

The panoramic glass roof bathes the interior in light, though unlike a certain American EV that shall not be named, Deepal thoughtfully includes a proper roller sunshade. Your scalp will thank you.

Practicality, Mostly Sorted

The boot offers 445 litres of storage, which is decent for most chores. The real surprise comes in the frunk, which measures a whopping 125 litres. It’s the largest I’ve personally encountered, and it’s even big enough for a cabin-sized luggage. Not bad for a space usually reserved for charging cables and “dirty” items.

The 80kWh battery promises up to 475km, which translates to once-a-week charging for most urban drivers. That’s more than enough for Singapore’s humble sprawl and even the occasional JB supper run.

Value That Makes You Look Twice

At S$220,999 with COE, the Deepal S07 is a pretty face and it’s got substance. The only real chink in its armour is the badge. Deepal isn’t a household name, for now at least.

But give it time. If the S07 is any indication of what this brand is capable of, it won’t stay in the shadows for long. It’s honest, comfortable, and like that overly eager intern, it just wants to do a good job and be liked.

In a world where most electric crossovers are about as emotionally expressive as a fax machine, the S07 does stand out. Not by shouting, but by smiling.

Technical Specifications

Deepal S07

Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 160 kW (215 bhp)
Torque: 320 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
Acceleration: 7.9 Seconds (0-100km/h)
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Battery Capacity: 79.97 kWh
Drive Range: 475 km
Energy Consumption: 5.3 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$220,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!

With massive LED-wrapped columns, a spacious display area housing up to 12 vehicles, and even a café and children’s play corner, the brand is here to make an impression.

Front and centre of this debut is the DEEPAL S07. This mid-sized electric SUV has clean lines, a coupe-inspired silhouette, and impressive specs – 215bhp, 320Nm, and 475km on a single charge.

You get intelligent driver aids, a futuristic cabin decked out with minimalist aesthetics, and a ride that’s whisper-quiet. There’s also the promise of longevity, backed by a 10-year battery warranty and a 5-year vehicle warranty.

Singapore: The Launchpad of DEEPAL’s Global Ambitions

“DEEPAL is poised to be a world-class automotive brand, and Singapore plays a pivotal role in our globalisation strategy and will serve as a strategic launchpad for the region.”

Mr Shen Xing Hua, Managing Director of CHANGAN Auto Southeast Asia

Singapore marks DEEPAL’s sixth international market since 2023, following Thailand, Australia, Mexico, Nepal, and Pakistan. It’s all part of CHANGAN’s broader “Vast Ocean Plan”, a strategy designed to supercharge global growth with a targeted investment of over US$10 billion in overseas markets, and a bold goal of reaching 1.2 million annual overseas sales by 2030.

“The launch of DEEPAL’s showroom in Singapore marks an exciting milestone in our portfolio to redefine mobility through intelligent and sustainable solutions.”

Mr Hadi Widjaja Tanaga, President of Premium Automobiles Group

The S05 and the E07

The showroom also offered visitors a sneak peek at two more additions to the DEEPAL family, the S05 and the E07.

The former is a more compact SUV, perfect for city dwellers who want EV credentials without compromising on agility.

The E07, meanwhile, straddles the line between SUV and utility vehicle, proving that practicality and electrification don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

With the S07 priced from S$220,999 (at the time of writing), DEEPAL is positioning itself squarely in the competitive EV market.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!

This marks Changan Automobile’s first foray into the local market. The flagship S07, a sleek, all-electric mid-sized SUV, is set to debut at the Singapore Motorshow 2025. 

With a legacy spanning over 40 years in automotive innovation, Changan Automobile has established DEEPAL in 2022.

Hadi Widjaja Tanaga, President of Premium Automobiles Group, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “As EV adoption continues to grow, we are thrilled to expand our portfolio with DEEPAL. The S07’s blend of style, intelligence, and sustainability is perfectly aligned with Singapore’s green ambitions.”

Come January 2025, the DEEPAL Showroom at 281 Alexandra Road will open its doors, offering a space for customers to immerse themselves in the brand’s offerings.

Shen Xing Hua, President of Changan Auto Southeast Asia, highlighted the significance of this milestone: “The S07 represents a bold vision for the future of mobility. Together with Premium Automobiles, we’re confident this model will resonate with Singapore’s discerning drivers.”

With the addition of DEEPAL to its repertoire, Premium Automobiles maintains its position as one of the leaders in Singapore’s EV market. 

For more information on DEEPAL and the S07, stay tuned to our coverage at the upcoming Singapore Motorshow.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!