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Deepal's next model, the S05 SUV, will arrive in Australian showrooms earlier than expected, and will likely be the brand's most affordable option.
Electric Cars
Deepal Australia will fast-track the launch of its 2025 S05 small SUV in a bid to quickly grow market share amidst cooling electric vehicle (EV) demand.
Originally pencilled in to arrive towards the tail-end of the year, Deepal’s new S05 small SUV will instead arrive in the third quarter (July-September) as the Chinese brand’s third model in showrooms.
Joining the S07 mid-size SUV and soon to launch E07 ute-SUV hybrid, the S05 will compete for sales against the BYD Atto 3 and Kia EV3, but sized closer to a Toyota RAV4 or Tesla Model Y.
It’s also expected to be Deepal’s most affordable model – likely starting under $50,000 before on-road costs – as it is also the brand’s smallest offering to date.
Speaking with Drive at the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show, Deepal Australia General Manager Cormac Cafolla said the E05 will likely be the brand’s most affordable new model.
“When you introduce a smaller sibling to another product, it would naturally sit at a lower price point, but we will find the right price point for that car [E05] that delivers value,” Cafolla said.
For reference, the S07 kicks off at $53,900 before on-road costs, while the segment-busting E07 starts from $64,900.
Similarly-sized models, such as the EV3 and Atto 3 start from $47,600 and $39,990 respectively, giving Deepal Australia some open air to pitch the S05.
Local specifications, which will naturally inform pricing, are also yet to be locked in, but overseas the S05 is available as either a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a range-extender electric vehicle.
It remains unclear if both powertrains will arrive, or if Deepal Australia opts for one over the other.
However, the E07 is also available as a range extender overseas, but Australia has exclusively adopted the all-electric version, for now.
The S05 range extender makes use of a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge a 27.3kWh LFP battery for a combined range rating under CLTC testing of 1234km, while outputting 160kW.
The all-electric S05 packs a 175kW punch and is fitted with a 56.1kWh battery, rated for up to 510km of range under CLTC conditions.
Both S05s feature a single, rear-drive electric motor.
As a smaller, more affordable model, it is also expected the S05 will add sizeable numbers to Deepal Australia’s bottom line, with Cafolla telling Drive there are already customers interested in the new SUV.
“[S05] is different to the S07, being a slightly smaller, more compact SUV,” Cafolla said.
“We’ve had customers tell us that they think S07s may be a bit big, your S05 is the perfect size, so let’s get in touch when you’ve got pricing and spec announced.
“And we’re delighted to announce that we brough the start of sales days for that car forward.
“That [S05] is the car that rounds out our 2025 line-up, and a car that we’re incredibly excited about.”
Deepal Australia has now opened expressions of interest for the S05, while full pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the model's launch.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
