Changan has officially launched in South Africa.
The Chinese carmaker, in partnership with its local distributor – Jameel Motors – has opened 25 new dealerships across the country, including a flagship store in Pretoria, and the company plans to add more locations as its customer base grows.
It has also set up a fully-stocked parts warehouse in Gauteng, which will commence with daily nationwide deliveries.
Changan and its new-energy sub-brand Deepal are launching in South Africa with an initial roster of four vehicles, comprising a bakkie, a sedan, and two SUVs.
TopAuto will publish separate articles with an in-depth breakdown of each car over the coming days, but for now, here is a brief overview of what each model is bringing to the table.
Note that all Changan vehicles in South Africa are sold with a 5-year/150,000km warranty.
What’s available
First up is the Changan Alsvin, a budget sedan that will serve as the entry point to the brand.
It is available in two specifications, and prices start at R238,800.
Interestingly, the two versions of the Alsvin are fitted with different engines, as the base CS model has a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol block with 74kW and 135Nm.
The higher-grade CE, meanwhile, has a 1.5-litre mill with 78kW and 145Nm.
The CS has a five-speed manual gearbox, while the CE uses a five-speed dual-clutch automatic shifter.
A few of the equipment highlights on the Alsvin include 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a sunroof, parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a 7-inch infotainment screen.
Next up is the Changan CS75 Pro, a midsize SUV that is available in four specifications with prices starting at R429,900.
Notably, the CS75 is sold in two trim levels, both of which have a five-seater and seven-seater option.
Regardless of the version you choose, the Pro comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 138kW and 300Nm.
Likewise, every model has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Depending on the variant, the SUV has features like heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
If passenger cars aren’t your thing, Changan has you covered with the new Hunter, a midsize double cab bakkie that features one of two powertrains, and starts at R449,900.
The more conventional choice is a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel block with 110kW and 350Nm, which is available in both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) configurations.
The RWD units have a six-speed manual, while the 4WD version is automatic.
Alternatively, you can buy the range-extender electric vehicle (REEV).
The Hunter is South Africa’s first REEV pickup, utilizing an electric motor and a 2.0-litre petrol engine.
The combustion engine does not power the wheels directly; instead, it acts as a generator to power a 31.2kWh battery that runs the e-motor.
This setup gives the Changan 200kW and 470Nm, and the battery allows for an all-electric driving range of 145km.
With the ‘generator’ charging the battery, the Hunter boasts an impressive range of 1,000km.
Last but not least is the Deepal S07, which is the only model Changan has yet to disclose the pricing for.
The S07 is an electric crossover coupe that features a 160kW/320Nm motor and a sizeable 80kWh battery, which gives it a range of 560km.
It can support charging speeds of up to 93kW, which the automaker claims can replenish the cells in just 15 minutes.
Notable features on the Deepal include 20-inch alloy rims, a rotating 15.6-inch media screen, an augmented reality heads-up display, a panoramic sunroof, a 540-degree camera system, and leather upholstery.
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