The ongoing 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) feels like an appetiser for Auto Shanghai 2025 next month. Toyota and Honda had bodykitted current models on stage while the Chinese contingent keeps on growing. With no homegrown carmaker to shield, and no minimum selling price for CBU imports, it’s a free-for-all here, where one million baht can buy you two proper EVs!
A China free-for-all would also mean that cars look the same after awhile, but Deepal’s offerings stand out somewhat, design-wise. Cool mad ‘SUV coupe truck’ aside, the stuff from Deepal (Changan’s brand for overseas markets) tend to have sharper lines and as interior gimmicks go, the angle-adjustable screens are pretty cool.
We’ve seen the S07 (in Malaysia, previewed by Bermaz) and its L07 sedan sister (donor car for the Mazda 6e), now here’s something smaller and even more affordable, the new S05.
The S05 enters a packed electric SUV class (think BYD Atto 3, Geely EX5/Proton eMas 7) with a large body. At 4,620 mm long and 1,900 mm wide, it’s 165 mm longer and 25 mm wider than BYD’s sales leader. That’s around the size of the Geely/Proton (S05 +5 mm -10 mm), but no one would have guessed it – the Deepal has sleek and sporty proportions for a car of its type.
Whip out the calculator and you’ll see that the S05’s 2,880 mm wheelbase is a hefty 130 mm longer than the eMas 7, while being 70 mm lower overall. Good width + long wheelbase + low roofline = Porsche Macan style. The previous-gen Macan of course; the latest EV version – which was across the Impact aisle – looks round and bloated. Clean and handsome then, if not very distinctive. Oh, it has frameless windows too.
What’s unique about the S05 is that it can be had as a full EV or a range extender EV (REEV). The EV is powered by a 238 hp/320 Nm rear motor (RWD), which takes juice from a 56 kWh LFP battery from CATL. The 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 7.3 seconds and top speed is 180 km/h. Range is 470 km, but this is in NEDC. The max charging rate is 7 kW AC and 152 kW DC, with the latter allowing 30-80% SoC top-ups in 15 minutes. V2L power supply at 6.6 kW is possible.
The REEV’s rear motor has 218 hp/320 Nm, and the EV battery is smaller at 27 kWh (LFP from CATL). The novelty here is the 1.5-litre four-pot engine with 98 hp acting as a generator. So, the REEV has two flaps – one for petrol (45L tank) and one for charging. 0-100 km/h is 7.9 seconds and top speed is 175 km/h.
The REEV lets you enjoy the EV life (170 km NEDC range) but with the ICE and 45 litres of petrol, total range with everything filled to the brim is 1,000 km. It’s quite a compelling package, like two cars in one – what do you think?
As expected, the S05’s equipment list is very long. Goodies include a panoramic glass roof, leather, eight-way powered front seats (memory for driver), ventilated seats, ‘zero gravity’ reclining seats, three-zone air con with PM2.5 filtration, the above-mention swivelling screen, head-up display.
Also available are a wireless charger, 14-speaker sound system, power boot, 360-degree cameras (with underfloor display) the a full ADAS pack. Remote parking, too.
The Deepal S05 is available in five safe colours but Thai buyers can choose an orange cabin theme aside from black. Prices range from 799,000 baht (RM104,366) to 899,000 baht (RM117,428) for the EV and 949,000 baht (RM123,959) to 999,000 baht (RM130,482) for the REEV.
Like what you see? This is relevant because Bermaz is the Malaysian distributor for Deepal, and the S05 has been earmarked as a model for our market. Funny name, though.
GALLERY: Deepal S05 at BIMS 2025
GALLERY: Deepal S05 official images
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