Chang'an Nevo E07 deliveries begin An electric SUV and a real-life transformer

The Chinese EV market shows no signs of slowing down with innovative new models appearing seemingly every week. One of the latest and possibly most intriguing entries is the Changan Nevo E07. It's an SUV with a unique feature: it can transform into a pickup truck. This clever design addresses two issues at once - it circumvents restrictions on pickup trucks in China while catering to the growing demand for electric utility vehicles.

Changan Nevo, another sub-brand of the Changan Automobile, is making a name for itself with unconventional EVs. The E07 follows the Q05 SUV and is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) configurations.

What sets the E07 apart is its ability to shift from a conventional SUV into a pickup truck. With the push of a button, the rear window lowers, and the roof slides forward, revealing a cargo bed. This clever solution provides the functionality of a pickup truck without running afoul of Chinese regulations that restrict pickup truck ownership in many cities.

The E07 offers a variety of powertrain options. The battery-powered version comes with either a single motor (choice of 165 kW or 252 kW) or dual motors (188 kW and 252 kW). The single-motor versions can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 or 6.7 seconds, respectively, while the dual-motor version does the same in a brisk 3.96 seconds. Sure, it's not the most important specification that pickup truck buyers look for, but this is an EV reality - electric cars are quick regardless of their function.

Two battery options are available for the BEV: a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a capacity of 70.54 kWh and a lithium ternary battery with a capacity of 89.98 kWh. These provide a CLTC (China light-duty vehicle test cycle) range of 551 km and 651 km, respectively.

The EREV version offers single and dual-motor options, with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine serving as a range extender. The single-motor EREV has a maximum power output of 231 kW, while the dual-motor version adds a 131 kW front motor. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.1 seconds for the single-motor and 5.15 seconds for the dual-motor EREV.

All EREV variants feature a 39.05 kWh LFP battery pack, providing a CLTC pure electric range of 230 km and a combined range of 1,130 km with a full tank of fuel and a full charge. The E07 is a sizable vehicle, measuring 5,045 mm in length, 1,996 mm in width, and 1,695 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 3,120 mm.

Changan has fitted the E07 with its advanced intelligent driver assistance system, with the two highest-priced BEV variants featuring two Nvidia Orin X chips and two LiDARs for enhanced safety and autonomous driving capabilities.

The Nevo E07 BEV starts at RMB 199,900 (€25,310) and goes up to RMB 319,900 (€40,490) for the top-of-the-line variant. The EREV models range from RMB 209,900 (€26,570) to RMB 299,900 (€37,970).

The company wants to expand the Nevo brand globally, with a planned product matrix of 10 models by 2025. The E07's innovative design and competitive pricing could make it a compelling option for buyers looking for a versatile and efficient electric vehicle. It is a completely new breed of electric SUVs, blurring the lines between passenger vehicles and light trucks.