On the evening of June 25, the DEEPAL S7 officially launched, with a price range of 149,900 – 202,900 RMB. Compared to the previous pre-sale price, it is a full 20,000 RMB lower.
Upon seeing this price, one can’t help but exclaim that the current new energy market is seriously competitive. After all, this is a midsize SUV with a 2900mm wheelbase, and the entry-level model is priced at just less than 150,000 RMB. It would be difficult for consumers at this price range to overlook this vehicle when shopping for a car.
The DEEPAL S7 is available in both range extender and pure electric powertrain versions, with three configurations for the range extender version and two for the pure electric version. The specific prices are as follows:
- 121 Pro Range Extender: 149,900 RMB
- 121 Max Range Extender: 159,900 RMB
- 200 Max Range Extender: 169,900 RMB
- 520 Max Pure Electric: 189,900 RMB
- 620 Max Pure Electric: 202,900 RMB
DEEPAL S7’s launch also included an optional configuration price list, which includes zero-gravity massage seats for both driver and passenger, as well as a 12.3-inch entertainment display for the passenger roof. Other options include intelligent interactive lighting, wheel hubs, etc. Detailed prices are as follows:
- Smart Sensing Suite: 12,000 RMB
- Intelligent Interactive Lighting Package: 6,000 RMB
- 21-inch Sports Wheel Package: 6,000 RMB
- 20-inch Sports Wheel Package: 2,000 RMB
- Flaming Cloud Yellow/Extreme Space Yellow: 2,000 RMB
As for optional recommendations, the Smart Sensing Suite is worth considering, as it is one of S7’s most notable features and greatly enhances the driving experience. The 20-inch wheel package is also a good choice, as the S7’s relatively sporty design benefits from larger wheels for a more visually impactful look. The 21-inch wheels, however, may be somewhat too large, and maintenance costs for tire replacement will be higher. On the other hand, the interactive lighting package is not as necessary. While it significantly enhances the vehicle’s technological appeal, its usage frequency may not be particularly high.Additionally, DEEPAL announces some car purchase incentives: those who place orders now can enjoy a lifetime warranty for the vehicle’s three-electric and range extender systems. Except for the entry-level 121 Pro model, a home charging pile is also included as a gift. For users who place orders before July 31, 2023, they will receive 6 years or 12 free basic maintenance services.
As DEEPAL’s second model, the DEEPAL S7 continues the design style of the previous SL03, especially the front face, which adopts a large number of straight and sharp lines, giving it a strong visual impact and showcasing the temperament of a sporty SUV. Moreover, the DEEPAL S7 also adopts the same enclosed grille design for both its pure electric and range extender versions, just like the SL03. Therefore, it’s difficult to distinguish whether it is a pure electric or range extender version by looking at its front face when you encounter a S7 on the road.
The side profile of the DEEPAL S7 seamlessly extends the design style of the front face. The slightly forward-leaning posture from low front to high rear, combined with the hatchback-like tail design, exudes a strong sense of athleticism. In terms of body dimensions, the length, width, and height of the DEEPAL S7 are 4,750, 1,930, and 1,625 mm, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm, positioning it as a midsize SUV.
The tail design of the DEEPAL S7 also continues the style of the SL03, but the design seems more visually harmonious on an SUV. The straight lines complement the taut and powerful appearance of the tail. However, due to the hidden exhaust design of the range extender version, the rear design is completely identical for both the range extender and pure electric versions.
The interior design of the DEEPAL S7 also reveals the influence of the DEEPAL SL03, yet it has made many optimizations for SUV models on numerous details. For example, the S7 boldly omits the instrument panel, with the main driving information relying on the AR-HUD. As for the distinctive DEEPAL floating center control screen which can change its angle from left to right, it also appears on the S7.
There is also a unique design inside the car: the DEEPAL S7 has innovatively placed the co-pilot entertainment screen on the sun visor, in combination with 120-degree reclining zero-gravity seats. The co-pilot can comfortably lie down and watch TV, although it may not be convenient for passengers in the back row at that time.
The DEEPAL S7 is also built on the Changan EPA 1 platform and is the first SUV model to come from it. Hence, S7 comes in three power versions—pure electric and extended-range—with all the versions coming with a single rear motor. The pure electric version comes in two power levels, the 520 Max with a maximum power of 190 kW and the 620 Max with a maximum power of 160 kW. Both have a maximum torque of 320 N·m, and the acceleration time for the 100 km is 7.5s and 6.7s, respectively.
The two power versions also come with different battery capacities. The 620 Max version has a larger battery capacity of 79.97 kWh, achieving a pure electric range of 620 km. The 520 Max version has a slightly smaller battery capacity of 66.8 kWh, with a pure electric range of 520 km.
The extended-range version is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum power of 70 kW, a maximum motor power of 175 kW, and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. Like the pure electric version, the extended-range version also comes with two different battery pack sizes. The large battery version has a capacity of 31.73 kWh, with a pure electric range of 200 km, and the small battery version has a capacity of 18.99 kWh, with a pure electric range of 121 km.
In Conclusion
To be honest, I was quite surprised by the price of the DEEPAL S7, considering it’s a midsize SUV. Even with a smaller battery for the extended-range version, achieving lower BOM costs, being able to buy a not badly configured new energy SUV for less than 150,000 is something that was unthinkable in the past. Of course, this is thanks to the rapidly growing new energy market.
Especially in the 100-200,000 price range of plug-in hybrids, where everyone is envious of BYD’s dominance. So we see GeelyLi introduced the Galaxy, Great Wall brought the Snapdragon, and now Deepal. Just didn’t expect Deepal’s determination to be so strong, directly rolling the price to the right position in one step. Now it’s up to other companies to respond.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.