Picture this: you’re driving a vehicle what looks like a sleek, coupe-style SUV through the city streets. But when you reach your destination and need to haul some furniture or camping gear, you simply press a button, and your sophisticated SUV transforms into a practical ute with an open load bay. This isn’t science fiction – it’s the Deepal E07, and it’s about to land on Australian shores.
What Makes the Deepal E07 So Special?
The Deepal E07, dubbed the “Multitruck” by its makers, represents something completely new in the automotive world. While most car manufacturers are content to stick to traditional categories – SUV, sedan, ute – the innovative minds at Chinese automaker Changan decided to blur these lines entirely.
From the outside, the E07 looks like a modern coupe-style SUV. It has that sleek, aerodynamic profile that’s become synonymous with contemporary electric vehicles. But here’s where things get interesting: the rear section of the roof isn’t fixed. With the press of a button, it retracts, instantly creating an open load bay that rivals many traditional utes.
But the transformation doesn’t stop there. Press another button, and the glass behind the rear seats drops down, flooding the cabin with fresh air and creating an even more open feeling. The rear seats can then slide forward, extending the length of your new load bay. It’s like having two completely different vehicles in one.
The Inspiration Behind This Revolutionary Design
This isn’t the first time someone has attempted to create a vehicle that bridges multiple categories. The E07’s concept draws inspiration from some innovative but ultimately unsuccessful American vehicles from the past. General Motors experimented with similar ideas in the GMC Envoy XUV, which featured a retractable rear roof section, and the Chevrolet Avalanche, which had a ‘midgate’ system allowing owners to remove the barrier between the cabin and load bay.
The key difference is timing and execution. Where those American pioneers were perhaps ahead of their time, the E07 arrives in an era where electric powertrains make such complex mechanical systems more feasible, and consumers are more open to unconventional vehicle concepts.
Real-World Practicality Meets Innovation
Beyond its party trick transformation, the E07 delivers genuine practical benefits. The rear compartment offers 524 litres of storage space in its standard configuration, measuring 941mm long and 1028mm between the wheel arches. When you fold down the rear seats, that cargo bay length extends to an impressive 1543mm, with storage volume jumping to 1654 litres.
There’s also a 131-litre storage compartment under the bonnet – what electric vehicle enthusiasts call a “frunk” – giving you even more space for smaller items or charging cables.
However, it’s worth noting that Deepal specifies a payload capacity of just 300kg for the load area, which might limit its appeal for serious commercial use. This positions the E07 more as a lifestyle vehicle for people who occasionally need ute-like capability rather than a replacement for traditional work vehicles.
Electric Performance That Doesn’t Compromise
The E07 launching in Australia will be exclusively electric, powered by an impressive 89.98kWh battery pack using nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. The vehicle features an 800V electrical architecture, which enables ultra-fast charging at up to 240kW using DC power.
Australian buyers will have two powertrain options. The entry-level single-motor rear-wheel drive variant produces 252kW and 365Nm of torque, offering a claimed range of 642km under the NEDC testing cycle. For those wanting more performance, the dual-motor all-wheel drive version cranks out an impressive 440kW and 645Nm, slashing the 0-100km/h time from 6.9 seconds down to just 3.9 seconds.
The battery also supports vehicle-to-load capability with a discharge rate of up to 6.6kW, meaning you could potentially power your campsite or even your home during a blackout.
Premium Features for Modern Life
Deepal hasn’t skimped on features for the E07. The vehicle comes loaded with modern conveniences including a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium sound system, and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system features a large central touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the E07 offers special Resting and Camping modes, along with 360-degree Sentry Mode monitoring for security when you’re away from the vehicle. There’s also a comprehensive suite of active safety and driver assistance technologies.
Australian Launch Details
The first batch of right-hand drive E07s is already built and on its way to Australia, with initial customer deliveries expected in late August or early September 2025. The timing couldn’t be better, as Australian consumers are increasingly embracing electric vehicles, and the market is ready for something genuinely different.
Pricing starts at $64,900 before on-road costs for the single-motor version, while the dual-motor all-wheel drive variant commands $73,900. While not exactly budget-friendly, these prices position the E07 competitively against other premium electric SUVs and utes in the Australian market.
The Future of Automotive Innovation
The Deepal E07 represents more than just another electric vehicle option for Australian consumers. It demonstrates how innovative thinking can create entirely new vehicle categories that better serve our increasingly diverse lifestyles.
Whether you’re a city dweller who occasionally needs to haul large items, an outdoor enthusiast who wants the comfort of an SUV with the practicality of a ute, or simply someone who appreciates innovative design, the E07 offers something genuinely different in a market that can sometimes feel overly conservative.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, vehicles like the E07 show us that the future isn’t just about switching from petrol to electric power – it’s about reimagining what a vehicle can be entirely.