Deepal signals S05 and S07 updates for Australia as PHEV options emerge in Europe

What Deepal has flagged

Deepal Australia has hinted at announcements for its incoming S05 and existing S07 electric SUVs "in the coming weeks", following product updates revealed at this week's Paris motor show. A spokesperson for the brand's local distributor, Inchcape Australia, said in a statement to CarExpert, published by PerthNow: "We expect to have more to share in the coming weeks, including further details on the S05 and S07 lineup, as well as local specifications and powertrain options." ¹²

The same spokesperson told CarExpert that Deepal is "not in a position to comment on specific models or timing just yet", but is "looking forward to unveiling our plans and sharing a clearer picture of what's next for the brand locally". The statement stops short of confirming any particular variant or launch date for Australia. ¹

Changan confirms PHEVs for Europe

Earlier in the week, Deepal's parent company Changan confirmed plug-in hybrid versions of the mid-size S05 and S07 for the European market, with the S05 PHEV due to launch in the right-hand-drive UK market later this month. CarExpert reports that this European announcement indicates Australia may get both EV and PHEV versions of the S05, though no local PHEV variant has been confirmed. ¹²

Based on UK specifications, CarExpert details the S05 PHEV as pairing a 63kW 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 172kW electric motor and an 18.4kWh LFP battery for a total system output of 190kW and a combined driving range of about 1000km. It can drive up to 100km on electric power alone, with the battery chargeable at up to 11kW on AC and 55kW on DC — Changan says 30 to 80 per cent takes 15 minutes — and vehicle-to-load functionality is standard in the UK. Combined WLTP fuel consumption is rated at 2.0L/100km, or 5.4L/100km with a depleted battery. ¹

Although marketed as a PHEV, CarExpert notes the powertrain functions more like an extended-range electric vehicle, with the electric motor primarily driving the wheels and the small petrol engine charging the battery. The larger S07 PHEV confirmed for Europe uses the same basic powertrain, but its final range and consumption figures are yet to be confirmed, with CarExpert expecting it to be slightly less efficient across most metrics. ¹

Context comes from a separate CarExpert report published by PerthNow the same day: Changan's factory-backed local operation, which will introduce the Avatr and Nevo brands, says it is looking at PHEV and EREV options for Australia "sooner rather than later", according to Avatra Australia head of brand and marketing Andrew Haurissa. To date, Deepal — independently distributed by Inchcape — has offered only EVs in Australia. ³

The S05's long road to Australia

Having initially been promised for Australia in the latter stages of 2025, CarExpert reports the S05 now looks on track to reach the local market either very late in 2026 or early in 2027. In January, the publication uncovered Australian Government certification documents detailing the likely local launch range in EV form: a 200kW single-motor two-wheel-drive configuration and a 320kW dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration, both using a 68.82kWh battery. ¹²

Those certification details align with earlier CarExpert reporting: in rear-wheel-drive guise the S05 offers 485km of WLTP range with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive variant — not offered in China but rolling out in Europe — claims 5.5 seconds and 445km. Vehicle-to-load capability with a 6kW output is standard, and the S05 is offered with a choice of 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels. ⁸

The car Australians will receive is the freshly updated version. CarExpert reports the updated S05, revealed in China, adopts new styling, a 200kW/320Nm single rear-mounted motor with a claimed best 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds, and a choice of a 56.12kWh LFP battery (520km CLTC claimed) or the 68.82kWh pack (620km CLTC). Cars24 adds that the updated model brings a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, a 50-inch augmented-reality head-up display, a boot enlarged to 492 litres with a 159-litre front compartment, and an upgraded sensor suite including LiDAR supporting more than 90 assisted-driving functions. Australian specifications and pricing have not been announced. ⁴⁵

When it arrives, the S05 will become Deepal Australia's smallest SUV, sitting below the S07 and the E07 Multitruck, and will target rivals including the BYD Atto 3, Geely EX5 and MG S5 EV. Local testing is underway, with Cars24 reporting validation cars in Sydney and Australian Government approval granted in February 2026. An EREV version sold in China remains unconfirmed for Australia. ⁴⁵

Where the S07 stands

While the S05 is pending, the S07 remains Deepal's volume model in Australia. CarExpert reports the S07 is still being advertised at $47,990 drive-away with the larger 20-inch alloy wheels while stocks last — well down on its initial retail price of $53,900 before on-road costs and options — and that the S07 with standard 19-inch wheels remains sold out locally. Its current offer applies to new vehicles with 20-inch wheels excluding premium paint, purchased from participating retailers while stocks last, per Perth City Deepal's website. ¹⁷⁶

The S07 is currently available in Australia exclusively with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive electric powertrain producing 160kW and 320Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds. A 79.97kWh ternary lithium battery delivers a claimed 475km WLTP range and supports 11kW AC and 92kW DC charging. Ownership is backed by a seven-year/160,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/240,000km battery warranty. ¹⁷⁶

Context: a small but growing brand

Deepal's local sales volumes remain modest compared with rivals such as BYD and Geely. VFACTS new-vehicle sales data shows 924 new Deepals were registered in Australia by September 30 this year, across the S07 and E07 Multitruck model lines, CarExpert reports. Earlier in the year, CarExpert noted the S07 accounted for 522 of the brand's 737 Australian deliveries in the first half, with the E07 making up the remainder. ¹⁴

Under Chinese automotive giant Changan, Deepal began sales in China in 2022 and arrived in Australia in late 2024 with the S07, followed by the E07 in 2025. Changan has separately confirmed the Avatr and Nevo brands for Australia in 2027, to be distributed by a newly established Changan subsidiary rather than Inchcape. Whether PHEV or EREV versions of the S05 and S07 join the Australian line-up will depend on what Deepal announces in the coming weeks. ¹