When three tribes go to war a point is all that they can score if they want to dethrone the popularity of the Tesla Model. In this scenario, three tribes from China are involved – Changan, an established automaker with 160 years of experience, CATL, a producer of electric vehicle batteries, and Huawei, a smartphone manufacturer. When these three entities unite, they form an entity resembling a manga-style mecha organism. This is the kind of force needed to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market.

The Changan Deepal S7, a mid-size SUV, is the latest addition to the new mecha organism. It has recently entered production and is priced at $24,000 or 169,000 RMB. The S7 is the second model in the series, after the SL03 saloon, and is slightly taller and wider than the Tesla Model Y. What sets it apart from the Model Y is that it will also be available with two further powertrains, an EREV and hydrogen-powered variant.

At present, the Deepal S7 electric vehicle has a maximum power output of 160kW (215bhp) and 190kW (255bhp). Although the battery size is not yet known, Changan claims a pure electric range of 434 miles.

The version with a range extender comes with a naturally 70kW (93bhp) 1.5L engine. the other hand, the ICE power unit can provide a maximum power of 175kW (235) and a distance of more than 700 miles.

The Changan Deepal S7 offers a glimpse into the changing dynamics of the automotive industry, with China emerging as a technological leader unencumbered by traditional conventions and focused on the future.