Changan Nevo has launched the E07 SUV, which can transform into a pickup truck, in an attempt to cater to a demographic with a need for electric pickup trucks at a time when there are restrictions on such models in China.

Nevo, a sub-brand of Chinese auto giant Changan Automobile (SHE: 000625), has launched the E07, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that can be transformed into a pickup truck, in an attempt to offer an alternative to the heavily restricted pickup truck segment in China.

Nevo rolled out the E07, its second SUV after the Q05, at a launch event yesterday, offering both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions.

One of the model's biggest selling points is its transformability, which allows it to go from regular SUV to pickup truck form for better load capacity.

This is a workaround at a time when there are restrictions on pickup truck models in China, trying to cater to a demographic that has a need for electric pickup trucks.

In China, pickup trucks are categorized as light trucks and are subject to a lot of restrictions compared to regular passenger car models including sedans, SUVs and MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles).

As of now, only a few Chinese automakers, including Great Wall Motor, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC), Geely and Changan, produce pickup truck models.

The Nevo E07 BEV is offered in four versions with starting prices of RMB 199,900 ($28,080), RMB 229,900, RMB 269,900, and RMB 319,900 respectively.

The Nevo E07 EREV is available in 3 variants with starting prices of RMB 209,900, RMB 249,900 and RMB 299,900 respectively.

The model measures 5,045 mm in length, 1,996 mm in width and 1,695 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,120 mm.

The single-motor version of the Nevo E07 EV is available in two options, with rear motors of 165 kW and 252 kW, respectively, capable of accelerating the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds or 6.7 seconds.

Its dual-motor version is equipped with motors with maximum power of 188 kW and 252 kW, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.96 seconds.

The model is offered with two battery options, 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, which provide a CLTC range of 551 kilometers and 651 kilometers respectively.

The Nevo E07 EREV is available with single and dual motor options. The single-motor version comes with a rear motor with a maximum power of 231 kW, while the dual-motor version has an additional front motor with a maximum power of 131 kW.

The EREV variants come standard with a 1.5 L displacement engine as a range extender with a maximum power of 110 kW.

The Nevo E07 EREV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.1 seconds for the single-motor and 5.15 seconds for the dual-motor version.

The hybrid variant comes standard with a LFP battery pack with a capacity of 39.05 kWh and offers a CLTC pure electric range of 230 kilometers and a combined range of 1,130 kilometers on a full tank of fuel and full charge.

The Nevo E07 also supports Changan's advanced intelligent driver assistance system, with the two highest priced BEV variants carrying two Nvidia Orin X chips and two LiDARs.

Nevo is a new brand launched by Changan last August, which said at the time that the brand's product matrix would include the A series, Q series, and E0 series.

Nevo launched its first model, the A07, in September 2023, which is available in both EREV and BEV versions, and the brand currently sells four models -- the A07, A05, Q05 and E07.

By 2025, the brand's product matrix will have 10 models sold globally, Changan previously said.

($1 = RMB 7.1195)

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