Source: Deepal

Changan Automobile’s smart‑EV unit Deepal introduced its L06 prototype on 29 July 2025 in Chongqing during the inauguration of the newly formed China Changan Automobile Group.

At the unveiling, Deepal chief executive Deng Chenghao said the L06 would be the group’s first new model and emphasised that it is being positioned as a sporty electric sedan that will carry both a 3 nm automotive‑grade cockpit chip and lidar as standard configuration.

Source: Deepal

The timing of the announcement is significant because it marks the establishment of China’s third centrally administered state‑owned automotive group after FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

The L06 forms part of Deepal’s strategy to differentiate its vehicles with advanced computing and sensor technology. The company says the sedan will debut the world’s first 3 nm automotive‑grade cockpit chip, a semiconductor process node more advanced than the 5 nm and 7 nm chips currently used in many high‑end vehicles.

The 3 nm chip promises higher energy efficiency and processing power for the car’s infotainment and driver‑assistance systems.

Deepal also confirmed that every variant of the L06 will include a roof‑mounted lidar sensor, indicating that the model will offer at least Level 2+ advanced driver‑assistance functions.

Lidar as a standard feature is still uncommon in the sub‑200,000‑yuan market, signalling the company’s intention to push high‑end sensor suites into a broader price band.

Source: Deepal

The design of the L06 blends coupe‑like styling with aerodynamic elements. According to official images and filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the car features a closed‑off grille and split headlamp units inspired by ice‑crystal “petal” shapes.

A subtle lip spoiler under the front bumper, flush door handles and a small ducktail spoiler at the rear accentuate the sport‑oriented look. The rear diffuser and full‑width taillight strip echo current EV styling trends.

Source: Deepal

The L06’s dimensions place it squarely in the mid-size segment: 4,830 mm long, 1,905 mm wide and 1,480 mm high, with a 2,900 mm wheelbase.

For reference, Tesla Model 3 measures 4,720 mm in length, 1,849 mm in width, and 1,443 mm in height, with a 2,875 mm wheelbase, making the L06 slightly larger in all dimensions and offering marginally more interior space.

Technical details about the powertrain remain limited, but MIIT filings indicate the L06 will be offered initially with a single permanent‑magnet synchronous motor producing 200 kW and powered by a lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery pack.

These specifications are consistent with the performance of Deepal’s existing sedans. The company has not disclosed range figures, but Deepal’s current models—the L03 and L07—offer all-electric ranges of between 530 km and 660 km under the Chinese CLTC test cycle, suggesting the L06 may target a similar range.

Deepal’s S05 SUV is the brand’s best‑selling model with 44,521 units sold year-to-date as of July 2025, followed by the S07 SUV at 40,958 units and the L07 sedan at 17,656 units. The SL03 sedan, S09 large SUV and rugged G318 SUV sold 13,700, 7,914 and 7,132 units respectively.

At the brand level, Deepal sold 131,881 new energy vehicles YTD as of July 2025. While Deepal has achieved meaningful scale within China’s auto industry, volumes remain well below those of larger players such as BYD (HKG:1211) with over 1.7 million units delivered or even of emerging brands like XPeng, which delivered 212,205 units through the same period.

Source: Deepal

By introducing the L06, Deepal aims to attract younger buyers seeking a stylish sedan equipped with advanced driver‑assistance and digital features.

The reorganisation of Changan’s automotive operations into the centrally controlled China Changan Automobile Group underscores the strategic importance of the L06.

As part of a state‑owned conglomerate, Deepal will have access to national‑level resources for battery supply chains and semiconductor development.

The inclusion of a 3 nm cockpit chip signals progress in domestic chip manufacturing, which China regards as a strategic objective in its industrial policy.

The 3 nm chip is expected to support a high‑performance smart‑cockpit platform capable of complex AI interactions, multi‑screen displays and voice‑recognition functions, thereby enhancing the user experience.

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