minimalist, aerodynamic changan deepal SL03 EV opens digitized cockpit

changan’s SL03 honored with red dot design award

Deepal SL03 wins the prestigious international Red Dot Award: Product Design 2023. Manufactured by Changan, the vehicle is the first all-electric concept of Deepal. Its minimalist nature, aerodynamic surfaces, fully digitized cockpit, and sleek lighting features are paired with the company’s industrial capabilities, establishing the car as a world-leader in the market.

Watch above: designboom interviews Jiang Nan Design Director, DEEPAL, Changan Automobile Global Design Center; Bertrand Bach DEEPAL SL03 Exterior Design Director, Changan Automobile Global Design Center; and Fabio Miniati DEEPAL SL03 Interior Design Manager, Changan Automobile Global Design Center.

SL03 wins the Red Dot Design Award as the first all-electric vehicle of Deepal

all images courtesy of Red Dot Design Award

Changan Auto is one of the largest automakers in China. In 2022, the manufacturing company developed the vehicle platform EPA1, which supports all kinds of powertrain options from hydrogen fuel-cell applications to battery electric systems. After some teasing and concept revealing, the first vehicle built on top of this cutting-edge vehicle platform is now available. Its name is Deepal SL03. As of 2023, the product is honored with the Red Dot Design Award, marking an exciting chapter in Changan’s history.

‘Changan started to produce automobiles from 1984. We are one of the earliest brands to set up an oversee Design Center in Italy, at Turin. We have more than 260 designers with 22 different nationalities amongst them. So, actually, the design team has been global already. To win the Red Dot Design Awards shows what we have achieved in the past year with this team as well as the ambition of our brands for the global market,’ begins Jiang Nan Design Director, DEEPAL, Changan Automobile Global Design Center.

the minimalist, grille-less front design with interactive headlights highlights the car’s eco-friendly nature

changan’s commitment to efficiency & sleek style

As the first all-electric sedan by Deepal, the design of the SL03 was carefully crafted to accent its eco-friendly design. Emphasizing its electric powertrain, the car reflects a minimal, grille-less front look adorned with LED interactive headlights that literally spotlights unique lines. The sleek, reduced styling is complemented by flowing side lines, frameless doors with flush pop-out handles, and a strategically aerodynamic surface design, reflecting the brand’s commitment to both aesthetics and efficiency.

‘Aerodynamic was our main target for any EV. The range of the car had to be incredibly big. Looking at the rear spotter, defining the rear view was actually very unique. There’s no other car that has such a spotter where a logo is sitting right in the center. There’s a lot of elements that make the product so unique but in a way that people can feel really close to it. We just want the customer to feel very comfortable and empowered by detailed creativity,’ explains Bertrand Bach DEEPAL SL03 Exterior Design Director, Changan Automobile Global Design Center.

‘Through incredible body surfacing, you can see we’ve added a kick-up on the body, while the shoulder is really lowering down and slightly extending to the front. This actually drops the car’s weight much lower, making it feel very light,’ continues the exterior designer.

SL03’s grille-less front look is adorned with LED interactive headlights

sl03’s fully intelligent & sensory cockpit

The intelligent, fully digitized and sensory cockpit, combined with special illuminated surfaces in the interior, creates a futuristic atmosphere inside. All controls are easily accessible through the large touchscreen, which can rotate vertically, while the cutting-edge sensing components, like the wave-radars and high-performance cameras, work in harmony to deliver driving assistance. Moreover, collision warnings and automatic emergency braking respond to road conditions and hazards, helping the driver stay in control.

‘In our company, when we design a car we are always really sensitive about ergonomics, especially space. For instance, this car has a really interesting feature that is augmented reality. The screen does not conventionally display the information on the glass, but instead projects it forward outside of the windscreen,’ explains Fabio Miniati, DEEPAL SL03 Interior Design Manager, Changan Automobile Global Design Center.

Features like the wireless charging pad and the two cup holders add to the luxury. Moreover, the front seats offer electric adjustment, heating, and ventilation functions, and are wrapped in comfortable materials that ensure a pleasant and cozy driving experience. The rear back is spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom.

‘What influenced the interior more was the user experience approach. We can describe this interior with three simple keywords: simple, innovative, and hi-tech,’ adds the interior designer.

the reduced styling, flowing side lines, frameless doors and hidden door handles reflect changan’s commitment to both aesthetics and efficiency

Deepal’s SL03 offers three powertrain options: battery-electric, hydrogen-electric, and range-extended. The availability allows customers to choose the version that best aligns with their preferences, driving habits, and environmental considerations. Whether it’s one or the other, the vehicle fulfils the needs of modern drivers while promoting sustainable mobility.

‘The target was to redefine what a classical sedan could be and, of course, turn it into an electric sedan. The car is slightly wedged, but not too much. It has the right balance between a dynamic rhythm and stability,’ concludes Bertrand Bach.

the cockpit is fully digitized with sensors that alert the driver of hazards