DEEPAL has opened a new dealership in Phillip. Photo: James Coleman.
There’s a new EV in Canberra’s crowded car market.
DEEPAL has taken up residence in a corner of Subaru Canberra’s Phillip dealership, following in the tyre tracks of fellow Chinese brands Zeekr and Leapmotor who have also come to the ACT in recent months.
But while the brand might be new to us, DEEPAL is a big name in its home country, where, despite only being founded in 2018 by parent company Changan, it became the fourth best-selling brand last year.
Its S07 SUV has also been on sale in Thailand for just over a year, and is now among the top 10 EVs in the country.
DEEPAL arrived here late last year, courtesy of local importer Inchcape, which also brings in products for major brands like Subaru, Peugeot and LDV.
Changan’s president of the Asia-Pacific, Shen Xinghua, said his company had been studying our market closely for several years.
“Changan sees Australia as a strategic market,” he said in a statement late last year.
“Collaborating with Inchcape and introducing our successful DEEPAL brand and product, we have strong confidence that we can deliver new energy mobility and better services to Australian customers.”
The S07, the one currently on display on the corner of Melrose Drive and Parramatta Street, starts from $53,900.
For that, you’re getting not only a design from Turin in Italy, but also a 79.97 kWh battery capable of 0-100 km/h acceleration of 7.9 seconds and an estimated driving range of 475 km. Not to mention a proper tech feast.
We’re talking a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, a 14-speaker Sony sound system, the ability to manage music, calls, and more with just a gesture from your hand, and – while we’re yet to quite fathom the purpose of them – up to seven “scenario modes”.
These range from a “nap mode” that locks the doors, plays soothing music and sets the air-conditioning to auto to create the ideal environment for a cheeky lunchbreak kip, to “season mode” that “provides immersive experiences with campfire and snowy environments, including temperature, sound, and mini games”.
The E07 Multitruck will arrive later this year, priced from $64,900 for the rear-wheel drive version and $73,000 for all-wheel drive.
“This one’s a real game-changer,” DEEPAL Australia general manager Cormac Cafolla said in a statement earlier this year.
“It’s a unique mix of SUV and mini-truck, all wrapped up in a luxury trim for an unbeatable driving experience. I like to call it the automotive multi-tool, one that can take you on mountain trails, drop the kids off at school and still throw all your tools safely in the back.”
There’s certainly nothing else quite like it out there – combining a payload of 300 kg with 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.9 seconds in dual-motor, AWD spec.
Is it giving Cybertruck vibes? Photo: DEEPAL Australia.
DEEPAL has also just opened registrations of interest for a third model, the S05, to arrive later this year. Think a direct rival to the Tesla Model Y, but one that’s likely to be much cheaper.
“We’ll be sharing more specs later this year, but I can promise you, both the S05 and E07 are going to give Aussies some exciting, practical options for stepping into the future of electric driving without compromising on style or performance,” Mr Cafolla said.
All cars come with a seven-year/160,000 kilometre warranty, and an eight-year/240,000 kilometre warranty on the battery.
More models are coming. Photo: James Coleman.
On the ground at Canberra’s new DEEPAL dealership, general manager Alex Fielding is certainly excited.
“I strongly believe the interior quality is top of its class, and the Italian-inspired design puts it as one of the best-looking EVs on the market,” he said.
He expects the brand to do very well in Canberra, on account of the ACT Government’s various purchase incentives for EVs, and the federal exemption from FBT.
In a statement to Region, DEEPAL Australia described Canberra as a “natural fit”.
“It’s a progressive city that’s already leading the way in EV adoption, and we’re excited to introduce a fresh brand to the local market,” the spokesperson said.
“This is just the beginning for DEEPAL in Australia, and we see ACT as a key part of our growth.”
