Changan UK, a subsidiary of a global automotive leader and forerunner in sustainable transport, has officially launched the Changan Deepal S07, marking the arrival of its first all-electric SUV in the UK market.
The S07 combines sophisticated European design with UK engineering prowess and advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology recognised worldwide. With a range of up to 295 miles, a 160-kW electric motor, and a starting price of £39,990, the SUV is available through an expanding network of dealers.
Motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay interviewed Nic Thomas, managing director of Changan UK, at the company's research and development centre in the West Midlands to learn more.
Q.) Tell me more about Changan.
A.) Changan is a Chinese automotive company that has been active in Europe for some time. Our R&D centre in Birmingham has been running for 15 years, while our design centre in Turin has been operational for about 20 years with a team of 200 employees.
With a history of approximately 150 years, Changan has been manufacturing cars since the 1980s, transitioning from a trading company. We produce about 3 million vehicles each year for global markets, and we set up in Europe a couple of years ago. I joined in January 2024 to initiate our commercial operations; however, we didn't begin selling cars until September 2025. We wanted to take the time to properly set up the business. This included establishing a dealer network, after-sales service, parts warehouse, and banking arrangements, all aimed at delivering quality customer service.
We launched the Changan Deepal S07, and have sold around 500 so far, which is a promising start. Looking ahead, we have a diverse product range planned for release in the coming years. Changan offers around 45 different vehicles globally. While not all models will come to the UK, we’ll feature an impressive lineup of battery electric vehicles and soon introduce hybrid options, providing a selection for our customers.
Q.) So, tell me a little bit about the S07 and who its main competitors are?
A.) In terms of size, it's a D-segment SUV, which puts it firmly at the upper end of the family car class. So, you're looking at cars the size of a Tesla Model Y, a Volkswagen ID. 4 or 5, a Hyundai Ioniq 5, or a BYD Sealion 7. But one of the great things is that this car was designed in Italy by a very experienced team, and it really stands out amongst many competitors because of its distinctive styling. It is a large family-size SUV, but it's got a really sporty edge to the styling, very contemporary. On the inside, it's sleek, clean, and simple. But also very intuitive. It is a high-tech car, but the tech is usable. We've still got buttons, we've still got storage, and you've got very familiar things across the bottom of the screen, like a toolbar. The tablet screen rotates into the driver's view, so it's very convenient to use.
Q.) Tell me more about what's under the bonnet, as it were.
A.) This is a BEV, so this has 295 miles of range. And, a 160-kW electric motor - so nice, punchy performance without being crazy – and a rear-wheel drive platform. So, you know, nice, really nice handling. And that's one of the great benefits of sitting in this R&D centre here. Our engineers here have fully adapted this vehicle. This is not just a Chinese car brought over; we've got about 100 engineers here, and they did a full ride-and-drive, handling calibration, and adaptation of this vehicle before we started selling it. They've uniquely tuned the suspension of this version based on driving it around some of the UK's motorways and twisty roads. So you've got a really lovely, engaging suspension that doesn't feel harsh. And also, a lot of work's been done on the software - things like the safety system, the ADAS system, which, in a lot of modern cars, can drive people crazy. So, the first thing you do is turn them off. Our engineers have done, I think, a really, really great job in tuning those to UK roads, you know, driving down the roadworks on the M1 or the M6, and making sure that they are there to protect you without constantly frustrating and unnerving you.
Q.) Okay, so what else can we expect from Changan?
A.) We've got some test units of our S05 here, and our first boat full of models arrived on Sunday, 1 February. We're currently in the testing and calibration phase, but they'll be with dealers in electric format by the end of February as well. They'll have about 300 miles of range, we just tip over that 300 miles, and a very similar powertrain to the S07, about 200PS in the first version. But then there's also an all-wheel-drive version coming, which will have a similar range but much more power - we'll be above 400PS from that motor. So a really sporty, engaging drive. On the interior, it's very similar to the Deepal S07 - really high levels of quality. On the outside, it's a smaller vehicle, so it's in a slightly smaller class - but it's still a spacious family vehicle.
Q.) So, what price are we talking about for Changan cars?
A.)The Deepal S07 is priced at £39,990, while the S05 will cost slightly less. But obviously, most people are looking at monthly payments, so we've got monthly payments around £400 with a small deposit on the S07 at the moment, available through our dealers on a PCP. Obviously, dealers can set their own prices as well, but you're talking about £400 a month
Q.) Okay. I believe the biggest dealbreaker for many families is safety. How safe is the S07?
A.) The S07 achieved a maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Tested in 2024, it scored highly for adult (95%) and child (87%) protection, so it's one of the safest cars on the road.
Q.) Just remind me, what's the warranty on the S07?
A.) The Changan Deepal S07 – and the forthcoming S05 come with a seven-year or 100,000-mile vehicle warranty, along with an eight-year or 120,000-mile battery warranty. So, you can rely on us to provide the support you need if there are any issues with your car.
