Here is where the confusion starts. Chinese outlet Yiche reported the arrival of the Deepal S05 in Slovenia, although the model itself is hardly new there: the fully electric S05 has been on sale since spring. The real September news is the Deepal S05 PHEV. And the price immediately grabs attention: with a financing promotion, the car is offered from €30,890. The regular starting price for the Pro version is higher at €34,990.
The hardware is even more interesting. The European S05 PHEV differs noticeably from the current Chinese electric model, using a BlueCore hybrid system with four operating modes. It can cover up to 100 km on electric power alone under WLTP, while total range reaches 1060 km. Even with a depleted traction battery, claimed fuel consumption is 5.4 l/100 km, while the combined figure with a charged battery is just 2.03 l/100 km.
And this is not a hybrid that sacrifices practicality. The S05 PHEV offers 552 litres of luggage space, expanding to 1310 litres with the seats folded. Braked towing capacity reaches 1600 kg. The vehicle warranty is 7 years or 160,000 km, while the high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 200,000 km.
The S05 is also becoming difficult to call a niche Chinese newcomer. Global sales reached 17,474 cars in August alone, while cumulative deliveries have already passed 260,000 units. In other words, this is no longer an experiment but one of Deepal's volume models.
There is another reason not to mix up the versions. The refreshed electric S05 launched in China in August gained lidar on higher trims, an electric motor producing about 272 hp and battery packs with capacities of 56.1 or 68.8 kWh. The Slovenian S05 PHEV uses a completely different powertrain configuration.
That is why the Slovenian launch matters. Not because of geography, but because of the value proposition: €30,890 under the financing promotion for a plug-in hybrid with 100 km of electric range and up to 1060 km overall. Suddenly the S05 looks far less exotic and much more like a serious European-market contender.
