Changan has opened UK sales of the Deepal S05 plug-in hybrid, with prices starting at £32,990. That is £5,000 below the all-electric S05 and puts it below several rivals: the Jaecoo 7 is listed at £35,170, while plug-in hybrid versions of the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan start at £38,595 and £43,380 respectively.
The S05 PHEV combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an 18.4kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor. Their combined output is 255bhp, and Changan quotes a 0–62mph time of 7.9 seconds. The claimed electric-only range is 62 miles, with a potential fuel economy figure of 139mpg. Once the battery is depleted, the car is rated at 52.3mpg; its rapid-charging capability is rated at 55kW. The report says its electric range exceeds that of the Jaecoo 7, while the MG HS PHEV is cited as offering 75 miles.
Two trims are available. Pro includes a 15.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electric vegan-leather seats and a 360-degree camera. The £2,000-more-expensive Max adds features including a head-up display, heated steering wheel and ventilated, heated front seats. First deliveries are due later in October. A panoramic roof costs £1,000 on Max, and metallic paint is £900. The UK model has a seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty and an eight-year/124,000-mile warranty for the plug-in hybrid system. Changan says the car was partly developed at its Birmingham R&D centre.