Despite its off-road aspirations, the Deepal G318 is named after the highway that connects the Sichuan province with Tibet
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The latest rugged concept to emerge from China is named the G318 and will be manufactured by Changan’s sub-brand, Deepal, established in 2022. This handsome, boxy SUV features off-road aesthetics and takes its name from a highway. The production version is anticipated to be priced at around 300,000 yuan (approximately $42,200 at current exchange rates)
With an overall length of 187 inches (4,750 mm), it’s roughly the same size as the extended-wheelbase Volkswagen Tiguan. It also comes with a 1.5-liter engine, but it doesn’t actually power the wheels. Instead, it is used as a generator and it charges the batteries.
Expected to be offered with two battery size options, 18.4 kWh and 35.1 kWh, driving range has not been divulged yet. However, it will be powered by a pair of motors that drive all four wheels. Horsepower figures haven’t been officially communicated yet either, but China’s Autohome reports that individually, the motors will be rated at 47 hp (35 kW/48 PS) and 80 hp (60 kW/81 PS), respectively — so it’s unlikely to pin you to your seat.
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That may not matter for the SUV, the first photos of which show it to be a pretty attractive vehicle. It gets C-shaped DRLs with little eyelashes at the ends of them, as well as a set of off-road lights on top — though the production vehicle may not keep them.
Small silver sections at the bottom of the front and rear bumpers are reminiscent of the underbody protection that serious off-roaders employ, and work in conjunction with the plastic cladding and the chunky tires to give the SUV an air of rugged capability.
Although it is expected to get body-on-frame construction, suggesting that Deepal wants it to be comfortable off the road, the name appears to be borrowed from a highway, rather than a trail. The 318 is the Chinese national highway that connects the Sichuan province (starting in Chegndu) with Tibet. The road has become a popular route for road trippers, who may be the people Deepal is aiming at with this SUV.
Indeed, the company hopes the G318 will be a good tow vehicle, and reports suggest that it will be able to do tank turns in order to let buyers impress their friends. When the production version hits the road, it is expected to compete with the likes of the GWM Tank and the BYD FangchenBao.
