Deepal EO7 — Versatile, Electric, Available

Wouldn’t you want an electric vehicle that can be an SUV, a station wagon, or a ute? Yes, you can put a full-size fridge in the back and move house. It’s a Transformer, much more than meets the eye. Deepal calls it a “Multi Truck,” but it certainly doesn’t drive like a truck! I loved the sweep of the line from front to back in the side view. Sadly, it doesn’t come in red.

Just when you think you have seen it all, Changan brings out the magic that is the Deepal EO7. There are many technical reviews of this amazing vehicle, but nothing beats seeing it up close and personal. The car has been travelling around Australia for the past few months, hence the delay in reporting. It has taken me this long to be able to coordinate its appearances in Brisbane at the CER dealership and my availability. It was worth the wait.

Here is the magic transformation (above). After dropping the tailgate, the keypad in the side of the bed allows you to slide the rear section of the glass roof over the top to open up the ute bed. Another button controls the glass partition that emerges from the back of the back seats to seal the cabin. Viola — a ute!

You want a station wagon? The back seats fold flat, increasing load space. You want a camper? The front seats fold flat for sleeping. Lower the roof of course. As an SUV, the rear is a great space for the family pet to travel.

Three months ago we introduced our CleanTechnica readership to the Deepal SO7. It seems Deepal has upped its game. The EO7 charges fast and accelerates even faster — the all-wheel drive model achieving 0–100 km/h in less than 4 secs. Both the rear-wheel drive and the all-wheel drive versions are powered by a 90 kWh battery that can be charged from 30–80% in 15 minutes. NEDC driving range is estimated at 640 km for the RWD and 590 km for the AWD. Like the SO7, the EO7 car is styled in Italy and built in China. One couple is buying a Deepal EO7, as it will be able to replace two of their current cars!

The manager was generous with time and information as he walked us through the features of the car. He has sold his initial allotment of vehicles (10) and they are expected to arrive August/ September, with a further ten in September/October. On its most recent outing, the car was exhibited at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show — where the well healed are selecting their next luxury yacht. It attracted massive interest. But, no, it doesn’t transform into a boat — yet! “People like it because it is different. They love the look,” the manager tells me.

Of late, I have been getting bored with the constant, increasing parade of electric SUVs entering the Australian market. The EO7 is a refreshing change. It comes with all the bells and whistles (there seem to be more of these with each model): reclining front seats (you can sleep on these), massage seats front and rear, quality sound system, and apps, apps, apps. The car can rise on its suspension for a comfort ride, or slip it into sports mode and you get that close-to-the-road feel.

Notable features include a 360-degree camera, and the car even has Sentry Mode. As well as the rotating touchscreen, the EO7 provides a heads-up display (HUD). During the test drive, Majella found this most helpful. “It was clear and large enough to see easily,” she said. On the test drive, Majella found the driver assistance a little glitchy, and regen braking did not provide one-pedal driving. She was not sure if there was another setting that should be used.

“I loved the steering wheel with minimal controls. The stalks were similar to our Tesla, so it was easy to put it into drive and park. The car started with a key card which sat snugly in the centre console next to the phone charger. It didn’t slide around like our Tesla card does. The apps to link it to your phone were not yet turned on. The seats were very comfortable. The car sat solidly on the road just like our Tesla. I liked the shape of the steering wheel, halfway between a yoke and a circle. Plenty of room in the back seat for the passengers. The windscreen seems to be a long way in front of the dash, with the windscreen angle more acute than I was used to.”

“There is even an app on the screen for makeup mode — the passenger seat moves closer to the mirror in the sun visor.” David was able to check his lippy.

Slide back the glass roof, drop the tailgate, and you have even more room. The rear has tie-down points — to hold your fridge steady when you are moving house. The EO7 has 300 kg of capacity. The manager tells me they are investigating an aftermarket tub insert so you will even be able to do your tip run without damaging the rear. At the front there is a generous frunk (131 L) with a drain plug. You can fill it up with ice to keep your beers cold when camping.

The spec sheet tells me that the Deepal EO7 is a little longer and taller than a Model Y, and about the same width. It has three ground clearance settings of 133 mm, 183 mm, and 223 mm compared to the Model Y of 167 mm. The Deepal trunk/boot capacity is 524 L with the rear seats up, increasing to 1654 L when the seats are lowered.

The interior is finished with a mustard/brown coloured soft touch material. This is the third time we have seen this colour. Apparently, the manager tells me, it is quite popular. Majella likes it better than the white, black, or cream variations we have seen.

The vehicle we drove was the Thai-spec, right-hand-drive model. A model further refined for the Australian market will arrive in August/September. At the moment, there are only 5 demonstrators in Australia. This exciting new entrant into the Australian electric vehicle market means that Australia’s driving future is not just electric, but versatile.