NIU unveils new electric microcar with impressive $8,300 target price - Related to s05, quick, review, unveils, $8,300

2025 Deepal E07 review

In a world where most new mainstream vehicles are built to fit a mould, the Deepal E07 brings with it a sense of innovation and risk-taking that Western manufacturers have long forgotten about.

The Chinese are definitely entering their golden era of automotive engineering. Like the Americans, Europeans, and Japanese before them, they are still willing to take risks, break away from tradition, and throw away the so-called rule books to bring to market cars that nobody asked for – but many may love.

Have a look at this walk around video on our Instagram.

The Deepal E07 is the sort of car that we can see being rejected at the boardrooms of so many automotive manufacturers (except the one-man show at Tesla). Still, the Chinese government-owned Changan group – which wholly owns Deepal – gave their engineers and designers the go-ahead to create what is essentially an SUV and a small ute all in one, and it’s coming to Australia.

It may not be the best SUV, and it certainly won’t be the most practical ute, but if you want a vehicle that is a coupe-like shape with a big tray, there is really no other option until the Tesla Cybertruck gets here (which will be significantly more expensive).

We flew to Deepal’s base in Chongqing, China, to inspect what can only be described as a world-class production facility and drive the brand’s new fleet of models heading to Australia, which include the Deepal S05 and the E07 (plus we anticipate the G318, a G-Wagen clone, will also find its way to our shores in the near future).

We saw the incredibly vast and detailed testing facility that Changan uses to develop its range of vehicles – which includes an incredible array of road loops, surfaces from all around the world and endless engineering validation that far surpasses many of those belonging to Western, Japanese, and even Korean manufacturers.

The Chinese government funds this particular facility, which is available not only to Changan but also other Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, which also develops its vehicles there. The point? The engineering going into today’s Chinese cars is lightyears away from where the country was even 10 years ago. It makes us wonder where they will be in another 10 years. But back to the Deepal E07 for now.

What strikes us first about the Deepal E07 is that it looks rather nice on the road. Photos don’t do it justice and that cyberpunk-style front digital display won’t pass our antiquated ADRs, but while it’s very easy to make concept-looking cars look cool, to get it to production and keep some of its inherent character is a challenge that Deepal has overcome.

In the Chinese market, the E07 is available as a pure EV (RWD and AWD) and as a range-extender. Australian specs for the vehicle that will come here will be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Yes it’s a cool car and the idea is great, but the real question for the E07 is whether any Australian will actually want to open their wallet for it? We spent a few hours with a Chinese-market E07 to get a more effective idea if they will.

There is no price for the vehicle yet, but we suspect it will start in the $70,000s for the entry-level variant, and stretch will into the $80,000s or beyond for the top-spec flagship, although we hope to be pleasantly surprised.

What is the Deepal E07 like on the inside?

The Deepal E07’s interior is perhaps unsurprisingly great. It’s very typical of Chinese OEMs, with a [website] infotainment screen that is super high-quality and an operating system that is effective. Everything just seems to work – except Apple CarPlay, which is also not surprising for some Chinese OEMs.

The surfaces across the seats, doors and dashboard feel nice and supple to touch, and everything we could see and examine was finished with great alignment and attention to detail. Although we would need more time with the E07 to determine these factors comprehensively, we found the seats (front and rear) to be comfortable and supportive.

The ‘zero-gravity’ front seats are designed to take the pressure off the occupant’s spine during long drives and come equipped with heating and cooling.

We especially loved that you can engage different seating modes for your passengers, such as cinema mode, which allows the front passenger-side mounted screen to come down and allows your passenger to enjoy a movie in a relaxed setting with the front seat reclining dramatically.

Of course, Australian automotive design rules are such that some miserable government bureaucrat probably decided long ago – for no good reason – that this feature won’t be legal in Australian-delivered cars. But we can dream.

The E07’s real party trick is, of course, the transforming boot. The rear-end incorporates a vertical tailgate and an electrically powered retractable cover, enabling swift transformation into a ute or pickup truck configuration in about 10 seconds. You simply press a button and everything transforms, leaving you with a very accessible tray.

Deepal Australia is looking for a metal tray option to make the rear space practical for our market. As it stands right now, you wouldn’t want to get it too dirty, given it’s so beautifully carpeted.

In terms of dimensions, the E07 measures a substantial 5045mm in length, 1996mm in width, and 1680mm in height, with a substantial wheelbase of 3120mm. In SUV mode, the trunk offers 638 litres of space, expanding to 1860 litres in pickup mode (with the second-row seats folded flat).

Other elements of the E07’s digital platform include over-the-air (OTA) updates, a 50W wireless phone charger, remote car control, in-car monitoring system, NFC card key and a digital key.

The benefit of so many Chinese OEMs being almost forced to work together by the state is that these digital platforms have been tested on scale, and so reliability has become a non-issue.

Many prospective buyers will no doubt wonder where their data is going, if their car is listening to them and whether they can trust a vehicle that is manufactured by a business owned by the Chinese government. If you are looking to us for an answer – we haven’t got one. It’s a personal question for each buyer.

In the Chinese market, the fully-electric E07 is offered with rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The RWD variant is equipped with a single permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering 252kW of power and 342Nm of torque, enabling claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in [website] seconds.

Additional performance is available via the all-wheel-drive version, which adds an asynchronous front motor, increasing the total output to 440kW and 645Nm – enough for Deepal to claim 0-100 km/h sprint time of just [website] seconds. The RWD tops out at 201km/h, while the AWD reaches 210km/h.

Both variants are powered by a [website] ternary lithium battery, offering an estimated range of up to 640km on a single charge for the RWD and 590km for the AWD. The 800V electrical architecture supports fast-charging capabilities, allowing the battery to charge at 240kW on a DC charger. Strangely, the AC charging speed is capped at 7kW rather than the 11kW we would like to see.

The range-extender plug-in hybrid E07 (still to be confirmed for Australia) couples a [website] turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors utilising a 39kWh battery. Total system output of that variant is 362kW and it can manage around 230km of pure EV driving range, with total of 1130km in combined mode.

The E07 is a big car, and for our brief drive we didn’t get an opportunity to really test the transformer ute out in the manner that would give us the confidence to recommend without pause. First impressions were very positive, but we will reserve judgement until the vehicle reveals up on Australian roads and we can see how it goes with tackling some typical Australian roads and managing the extensive potholes we all have to put up with.

Although not confirmed for our market, the E07 sold overseas has a kerb weight of 2230kg for the RWD EV and 2325kg for the plug-in hybrid. For comparison, the Toyota HiLux SR5 4×4 has a kerb weight of 2165 kg.

The E07’s adjustable air suspension provides ground clearance of 183mm – which isn’t what many would need for their use cases – so this is definitely a suburban-friendly SUV/ute and not a car you would take on outback adventures.

Our test vehicle rode on massive 21-inch wheels and never felt harsh or jarring in its ride. We were also impressed by the steering system, which gave plenty of feedback and made the driving experience far more enjoyable than we had perhaps anticipated from an EV.

There is no independent safety data for the E07 at this time.

However, Deepal’s other vehicles have so far scored very well across numerous safety tests and, as such, we suspect the E07 is also likely to carry through that high standard when and if it gets crash-tested.

How much does the Deepal E07 cost to run?

No price is currently available for the E07’s servicing costs.

However, like the S07, we believe that service intervals for the E07 will be set at 20,000km, with a time-based interval of 12 months. Like other EVs, but not the potential range-extender variant, this seems more in line with keeping the dealer network happy and busy, rather than any requirements for the vehicle itself.

Our minimal time in China with the Deepal E07 was a very positive experience. Put simply, we love the idea, and we love the execution. We remain very much open-minded about the possibility that the E07 won’t translate well to Australian roads, but that is taking an extremely cynical view.

Our gut feel is that if Deepal distributor Inchcape can get the price right, the E07 will be a runaway success. But that’s a big if.

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2025 Deepal S05 review: Quick drive

Does Australia need yet another fully electric compact SUV from China? Deepal seems to think so, which is why the S05 will arrive on our shores in the second half of 2025.

For the Changan-owned and Inchcape-distributed Deepal brand, this follows the launch of the larger S07 mid-sized SUV and the announcement that it will also bring the E07 SUV/ute to our market. We believe the G-Wagen lookalike G318 won’t be too far behind either.

The Deepal S05 is set to compete directly with established models such as the BYD Atto 3 and Chery Omoda E5 in what is going to be the most competitive segment for 2025 and beyond.

Measuring 4620mm long, 1900mm wide, and 1600mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2880mm, the S05 maintains the Deepal family look with a modern exterior design, plus elements like frameless doors and hidden door handles all enhancing its contemporary aesthetic.

But should you buy an S05 over the more established options from BYD, Chery, GWM and MG? That’s a hard question to answer without a direct comparison, but our initial impressions of the S05 during our short drive in China were reasonably positive.

The electric SUV looks nice, presents well, and drives reasonably well for its size. Given its seven-year/160,000km warranty (not as good as MG’s 10-year warranty), and the fact it will be distributed here by the same business that has managed Subaru for decades, there is a lot of trust in the product and its long-term viability.

Having stated that, the competition in our market is so vast that buyers are presented with more options than ever before, meaning the S05 needs to be incredibly good to be worthy of purchase consideration.

Pricing for the Deepal S05 is yet to be confirmed. However, given the BYD Atto 3 starts at just under $40,000, it would be fair to assume the S05’s entry price will be similar.

More details are expected by the end of March, ahead of the car’s local launch in the second half of 2025.

What is the Deepal S05 like on the inside?

Inside the cabin, the Deepal S05 boasts a [website] central control screen powered by the Qualcomm SA8155P chip and running Deepal OS [website] This is strangely different from what we found in the S07 and E07, which seem to have more options and elements in their infotainment systems.

Like a Tesla, there is no traditional instrument cluster, but unlike a Tesla, a useful head-up display (HUD) provides drivers with essential information directly on the windshield. We found this to be well-integrated and easy to use.

Our test car had a gorgeous baby blue interior that sets it apart from the bland black and basic colours available in similar vehicles we have seen.

It remains to be seen what colour options we will get in our market, but we hope Deepal Australia gives buyers more reasons to pick the S05 over its competitors and plenty of interior trim colour choices is certainly one good reason.

The interior quality is top-notch. It’s hard to know how controlled or over-validated our test car was and how that will reflect on vehicles showing up to our market en masse, but the Deepal S05 we drove was amazingly well put together with all surface-level materials feeling great to touch and everything aligning up almost perfectly.

You would be hard pressed to find faults with its fit and finish. So much so that we are willing to go out on a limb and say it was more effective screwed together than some luxury European brands that have slid down the quality index massively in the last decade.

During our very brief drive, we found the seats, especially the driver’s seat, to be comfortable and supportive for this tester measuring 179cm tall. There’s also excellent front and rear visibility.

Space for passengers in both the front and rear seats is more than enough. You can easily have adults sitting behind adults.

However, I’m not sure you would want to have five big adults in this car for extended periods of time. It’ll happily take four without complaint.

Although exact details are yet to be officially confirmed for Australia, the Deepal S05 offers two powertrain options in other markets.

The battery-electric variant has a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 175kW of power and 320Nm of torque. This model houses a [website] lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing an estimated range of up to 510km on the more lenient CLTC cycle.

The S05 also comes with a range-extender electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain in other markets, but that is unlikely for Australia for the time being.

This model combines a 160kW electric motor with a [website] petrol engine that acts only as a generator. It offers up to approximately 200km of electric range, before having to rely on the petrol engine. The total range exceeds 1200km when utilising both power data.

We drove the Deepal S05 for perhaps five kilometres at most, and during that limited testing window we felt positive about the car’s ride and driving capabilities.

The electric motor is smooth and effective at delivering its torque, without sudden bursts of energy that would otherwise light up the front wheels.

We felt it had a little more body roll in corners than we expected, but it remains to be seen what chassis configuration we will get and whether China’s spring settings will be changed to suit our driving needs.

, the annoying beeping of the bigger S07’s safety system will also be addressed for both SUVs. This would alleviate one of our biggest complaints about the S05’s bigger brother and, hopefully, the S05 itself.

The testing facility that Changan offers to Deepal has proven itself to be of great use as the firm’s many vehicles ride and drive well with good steering and throttle response. However, we will reserve full judgment of the S05’s driving characteristics until it’s on local roads and tested in Australian conditions.

There is no independent safety data for the S05 at this time.

However, Deepal’s S07 has scored very well across numerous safety tests and as such we suspect that the S05 would also likely carry through that high standard when and if it gets crash-tested.

How much does the Deepal S05 cost to run?

No servicing costs are currently available for the S05.

Nonetheless, we believe that service intervals for the smaller SUV will be 12 months or 20,000 km, like the S07. However, the one-year intervals seem more in line with keeping the dealer network happy and busy rather than any requirements for the vehicle itself.

This is more of a first taste of the S05 than a comprehensive review.

Deepal is a brand that has a long way to go before it becomes an established and trusted choice for new car buyers in Australia. So far though, the product has been solid, and the rate of development and updates to fix bugs and annoying elements has been impressive.

This ability to quickly adapt and respond to customer feedback leaves us feeling pretty confident that if Deepal can get the price of the S05 right and pitch it competitively against the likes of BYD, MG and Chery, then it should do well.

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NIU unveils new electric microcar with impressive $8,300 target price

NIU, best known as a leader in the electric moped market, has expanded considerably over the last few years. In addition to offering a hot-selling new electric dirt bike and showing off concepts for electric ATVs, the enterprise is now unveiling an electric microcar known as the NIUMM 500.

Still in its prototype stage, the two-seater NIUMM 500 electric microcar is designed to fit into L6e category of light quadricycles in Europe. As a quadricycle, these vehicles are technically not “cars” in the traditional sense (or in the legal sense), and thus have their own set of regulations that help streamline their path to production. Other popular microcars, such as the Citroen Ami, have taken a similar path and reached success with over 30,000 units sold.

With a target price of €8,000 (approximately US $8,300), the NIUMM 500 is intended to fill that niche role of a comfortable, weather-protected urban commuter, going beyond a typical moped or motorcycle with the advantages of locking storage and the ultimate achievement of staying dry in the rain.

In order to qualify as an L6e vehicle though, there are certain restrictions such as speed and power that prevent the NIUMM 500 from laying down the fastest lap times. A top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) keeps the microcar city-oriented, though you could probably tell by looking that this isn’t a highway vehicle.

In some countries, light quadricycles don’t even require a full car driver’s license, instead allowing the operator to hold a more easily-obtainable moped permit.

Despite the speed limitation, the little electric microcar has a lot going for it. The traditional steering wheel control and two-pedal drive setup will feel familiar to seasoned car drivers, yet the vehicle offers a more moped-like parking experience by taking up a mere fraction of a parking spot. The narrow size helps squeeze through tight city streets, though you likely won’t be lane splitting quite like a moped.

Back on the car-like side of things, electric locks and power windows come standard (including a power rear windshield), as does electric heating. Optional add-ons include a sun roof and air conditioning. There’s a decently large storage area behind the two seats, and another small storage area in front of the passenger seat.

And in another nod to its hybrid design, halfway between a moped and a car, the NIUMM 500 can even be outfitted with removable batteries (straight from NIU’s NQiX electric mopeds). The removable battery version allows apartment dwellers or others without access to street-level parking to still own and charge their own microcar. Just like how I charge my own NIU batteries at home, owners can simply carry the batteries up the elevator and charge them in their apartment.

For those with charging access though, there’s a fixed battery version with a larger 7 kWh capacity. It gets an impressive 118 km (73 miles) of range, compared to the removable battery version’s 60 km (37 miles) of range.

Both appear to feature the same 5 kW motor with a peak output of 10 kW – also the same drivetrain from the NIU NQiX electric moped.

NIU is currently showing off the new vehicle at the Motorrad show in Dortmund, Germany.

There’s no word yet on if or when the NIUMM 500 will see production, but based on conversations with enterprise insiders, it sounds like NIU is fairly serious about the microcar’s future.

Here’s to hoping it sees the road soon, and that they can keep that target price in check on the way there.

I LOVE electric microcars. Give me a tiny car, a golf cart, whatever you want to call it, and I’ll take it. For city commuters, 25 mph is often sufficient, and since many people don’t feel safe on a scooter, these types of vehicles fit the bill as lighter and more efficient alternatives to a car that still carry some benefits of a scooter or moped.

I tested out Wink Motors’ vehicles in NYC a couple of years ago and got around the city just fine with a top speed of 25 mph, so I think these could even work in the US. But of course Europe is the primary target here thanks to their more conducive quadricycle laws.

If anyone at NIU is reading this, I will travel to review!

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