Deepal, Built a "No Compromise" Car for Young People

August 6, the new Deepal S05 was launched. Five models, limited-time discounted price ranging from 115,900 to 144,900 RMB.

Olympic Champion He Kexin stood on the launch event stage, supporting this car as an owner. But what truly makes people remember this car is not the spokesperson, but a set of numbers: "150,000 RMB L2-3", meaning one LiDAR, two Horizon Robotics J6M chips, one-segment end-to-end algorithm, 3nm automotive-grade cockpit chip, FSD+HRS variable adaptive suspension, all packed into a car under 150,000.

One year ago, this configuration belonged only to flagship models above 250,000. Now, the new Deepal S05 packs technology previously exclusive to high-end cars into the mainstream price range all at once.

Intelligent Driving is Moving from "Optional" to "Standard"

The strongest card of the new Deepal S05 is the Tianshu Pilot Intelligent Driving Assistance System. 27 perception sensors on the entire vehicle, including 1 LiDAR. Two Horizon Robotics J6M chips provide 256 TOPS computing power, running the one-segment end-to-end algorithm.

What is the difference between end-to-end algorithms and traditional intelligent driving? Traditional systems rely on engineers writing rules, while end-to-end allows the car to learn driving strategies directly from sensor data, shifting from "machine execution" to "human-like decision making". 90-plus lane assist functions cover 99% of daily high-frequency road conditions. More worth mentioning is the full-scenario roaming assistance, which does not require high-precision maps and can find its own way in parks and country roads.

The cockpit is no slouch either. The 3nm automotive-grade cockpit chip allows the infotainment chip and top-tier mobile phone chip to use the same process for the first time. The industry is generally still using 7nm or even more backward processes. Coupled with the 15.6-inch 2.5K Sunflower Screen, 18-speaker audio system, and four-map fusion real-scene navigation, this cockpit is indeed a bit "above standard" for the 150,000 class.

Regarding the chassis, the FSD+HRS high-order variable adaptive suspension is standard across the entire range. FSD adjusts damping hardness in real-time, and HRS uses hydraulic rebound buffering to eliminate small bumps. In actual driving: no head dip during braking, no body roll in corners, and no bumpiness on rough roads.

Range offers two versions, 520 km and 620 km. Zero-to-hundred acceleration is 6.28 seconds. The 3C Super Charging is standard across the range, charging from 30% to 80% takes only 15 minutes. Home charging costs 6 cents per km. The battery uses CATL cells and the Golden Shield Battery, with imperceptible degradation over 600,000 km.

Space does not lag behind either. The 2,880 mm wheelbase is more than 100 mm longer than mainstream competitors in the same class. 4,620 mm length, 1,900 mm width. A compact size delivers mid-size space. 159 L front trunk, 492 L double-layer trunk, 37 storage spaces throughout the car. Passengers can cross their legs in the rear seat. A family of five can go out without feeling cramped.

150,000-class SUV Market is Being Reshuffled

In 2026, the compact pure electric SUV market has split into two camps.

On one side are the "Hardware Aggressive Camp" represented by Aion N60 and Leapmotor C10, packing LiDAR, 600 km range, and Zero Gravity Seats into the configuration list. On the other side is the "Prudent and Practical Camp" represented by BYD Yuan PLUS and Sea Lion 05 EV, defending the basic market with mature three-electric systems, after-sales service outlets, and resale value.

Deepal S05 takes the third path. It did not overturn the original product skeleton, but rather on the "Large Space + Long Range" hit formula, pulled intelligent driving capabilities to the forefront of the class. This strategy is smart. S05 already has a good foundation: 2,880 mm wheelbase, 620 km range, 3C Super Charging. Facelift upgrades need only target three areas where consumers complain most: is the intelligent driving hardware top-tier enough, is the cockpit chip new enough, and is the suspension shock absorption refined enough.

In comparison, the BYD Yuan PLUS 2026 model 630 km Excellent Edition has a guide price of 149,900 RMB. Its three-electric system is mature, outlets are numerous, and resale value is high, but intelligent driving configuration is relatively basic. The Aion N60 has LiDAR standard across the range, but cockpit materials involve compromises. Deepal S05, with a starting price of 115,900 RMB, packages LiDAR, end-to-end algorithm, 3nm cockpit chip, and variable suspension all at once. In the same price range, this combination has almost no competitors.

Competition in the 150,000-class pure electric SUV market is shifting from "Range & Space" to "Intelligent Driving & Chassis". LiDAR, adaptive suspension, and other configurations previously belonging to 300,000-class models are accelerating downward. In this window period, whoever solidifies the experience and reputation of high-order intelligent driving first will establish cognitive first-mover advantages in the 150,000-class market.

One Car Supports Half a Brand

S05's significance to Deepal goes far beyond being a key model.

According to public data, S05 accounts for about 57% of Deepal brand sales. In the first half of 2026, Deepal's monthly sales were stable at around 30,000 units. One car, S05, supports half the market. Deepal's global sales target for 2026 is 480,000 units, with 340,000 domestic and 140,000 overseas. Whether S05 can continue to perform well largely determines whether this target can be achieved.

More crucially, Deepal is undergoing a brand-level integration. Changan Automobile has announced a strategic integration of the Avatr and Deepal two brands, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. After integration, Deepal will focus on the 150,000-300,000 RMB mainstream new energy market, aiming for 1 million annual sales by 2030. Deepal is Changan's vanguard in the mainstream electric market, and S05 is the sharpest knife in that vanguard's hand.

At the same time, Deepal S05 is also the pioneer of Changan's Open & Inclusive Plan 2.0. The first new car to roll off the line from the Rayong Factory, Thailand, was the Deepal S05 Right-hand drive version. It has already entered 73 countries and regions globally. This is not a new car starting from zero, but a product already verified in the global market.

Final Thoughts

The launch of the new Deepal S05, on the surface, is a product facelift, but essentially it is a strategic positioning by Deepal in the wave of intelligent driving democratization.

LiDAR costs are dropping rapidly, and end-to-end algorithms are becoming an industry standard rather than a unique skill. What seems like an "above standard" config today might be an entry ticket in six months. What Deepal S05 does is, before the window period closes, pull the experience threshold of high-order intelligent driving to the lowest level, allowing more people to experience cross-level technology at mainstream prices.

This is not defense, it is offense. Using a hit model with monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units to redefine what a 150,000-class SUV should have. When LiDAR, end-to-end algorithms, and 3nm cockpit chips shift from high-end exclusive to mainstream standard, the entire industry's value anchor is being rewritten.