DEEPAL, an EV-dedicated brand of China’s Changan Automobile group, has come out with an interesting new bodystyle which is part SUV and part truck, breaking away from traditional segments. They call it the E07 Multitruck (Changan Nevo CD701 in China) and it follows a prototype concept which was displayed in China in September 2023.
Variable bodystyle
The variable body of the Multitruck uses a similar idea as the Nissan Pulsar EXA sold in the 1980s, being able to transform from an enclosed SUV form to a pick-up truck with an open cargo bed. It can take a load of up to 300 kgs, and the rear end incorporates a tailgate that folds flat like a truck’s.
RWD and AWD
The Multitruck has two drivetrains – rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive – which are fully electric. The RWD single-motor variant has an impressive 252 kW (343 ps)/365 Nm, while the AWD variant with 2 motors generates a total of 440 kW (598 ps)/645 Nm which can send the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds.
The high-capacity battery which uses lithium-ion chemistry (Nickel Manganese Cobalt or NMC) has a capacity of 89.98 kWh. Fully charged, the claimed range it can provide is up to 642 kms (RWD variant). 800V electrical architecture supports ultra-fast charging, and a range of up to 350 kms can be added within 15 minutes.
Luxurious and open cabin
The cabin is appointed luxuriously with zero-gravity massage seats in the front. For passengers in the rear, the centre console and door armrests have been designed as floating islands, offering a more open feel to the space and enhanced storage options.
The cabin layout can be altered at the touch of a button between Resting Mode and a more versatile Camping Mode. Along with the panoramic roof, the cabin ambience can be very pleasant and open, while being quiet with double-layered insulated glass and of course, the electric powertrain.
Deepal is beginning to step up its export drive and one of the countries that will be getting the E07 Multitruck is Australia where it will be priced between A$64,900 to A$73,900 (about RM174,000 to RM198,000).