- Changan South Africa completes successful debut at the 2026 Simola Hillclimb
- Lindenberg Racing partnered with Changan to unite motorsport heritage with next-generation mobility
- Hunter K50 REEV and Deepal S07 competed in the A8 Hybrid & Electric class
- Hunter K50 REEV emerged as one of the event’s major talking points
- Simola participation reinforces Changan’s confidence in electrified technology and performance capability
- Demonstrates Changan’s growing commitment to the South African market
Changan South Africa, in partnership with legendary Lindenberg Racing, has successfully concluded its debut appearance at the 2026 Simola Hillclimb, using one of the country’s most demanding motorsport stages to showcase its growing electrified vehicle lineup.
Held in Knysna from 30 April to 3 May, the Simola Hillclimb brought together some of the country’s most respected performance machinery. Competing across both Classic Car Friday and the King of the Hill weekend, Changan entered the highly competitive A8 class for hybrid and electric vehicles alongside established global performance brands, combining motorsport heritage with future-focused mobility innovation.
Hunter K50 REEV Becomes One of the Event’s Biggest Talking Points
Among Changan’s entries, the Hunter K50 REEV quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about vehicles at the event.
In a competition traditionally dominated by lightweight, purpose-built performance cars engineered around aggressive aerodynamics, low mass and track-focused suspension setups, the sight of a range-extended electric bakkie attacking the Simola course drew significant attention from spectators and motoring media alike. That contrast became part of the appeal.
The Hunter K50 REEV’s presence challenged expectations around what electrified utility vehicles are capable of, placing the world’s first REEV bakkie into an environment designed to test acceleration, balance, braking performance and driver precision under extreme conditions. Driven by Paige Lindenberg – championship-winning racing driver, Women in Motoring’s Woman of the Year 2023, and group manager of Lindenberg Racing – the Hunter K50 REEV charged up the Simola Hill in an impressive 1:01.232, delivering electrified performance in near silence, against the sweeping backdrop of Knysna.
“I am so impressed with the comfort and handling of the K50 REEV. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this EV and It was a great way for me to come back to racing after having my baby boy. Our times came down by 9 seconds over the weekend, so I am very proud of the result. We came there to showcase and launch a brand and we did a stellar job at doing exactly that. I absolutely love this bakkie as a day-to-day vehicle and highly recommend giving it a test drive to feel for yourself, ” remarked Lindenberg on her experience behind the wheel.
Rather than simply showcasing specifications on paper, Simola created an opportunity for Changan to demonstrate its technology in one of South Africa’s toughest real-world performance environments.
Deepal S07 Showcases the Performance Side of Electrification
Alongside the Hunter K50 REEV, the Deepal S07 also took on the Hillclimb, piloted by James Temple. Temple, a Lindenberg Racing driver and two-time Sports & GT Class A Champion, stormed up the Simola Hill in a rapid 55.818, unleashing sharp electric performance and effortless instant torque through the tight, technical climb to the summit.
Competing in the same electrified category, the S07 demonstrated the growing role that intelligent electric mobility is beginning to play within performance-oriented automotive spaces. Its instant torque delivery, smooth acceleration, and composed dynamics highlighted how modern EV platforms are reshaping perceptions of performance driving.
Temple was enthusiastic on his first experience of the vehicle: “As an avid, born and bred ‘petrol head’ I am pleasantly surprised by the Changan Deepal S07. The comfort, user interface, drive and overall build quality are fantastic! The battery efficiency and range was very impressive and after being flat out almost all the way up the Simola Hillclimb, the battery regenerated close to half of the usage on the way down. For a fully electric, single battery vehicle to do 55 seconds up the hill, that in itself tells you about the performance. An EV was never on the cards for me but after this and with the increasing fuel prices, it’s the way to go.”
Together, the two vehicles represented different approaches to electrified mobility, one focused on utility and capability, the other on refined intelligent performance, while both reinforcing Changan’s broader innovation direction.
Partnership with Lindenberg Racing Adds Local Motorsport Credibility
The partnership extended across the full event weekend, with Lindenberg Racing also participating in Classic Car Friday with a selection of iconic performance vehicles, including the Capri Perana, Daytona Coupe and Escort.
By combining established local racing pedigree with next-generation electrified vehicles, the collaboration created a meaningful bridge between South Africa’s motorsport heritage and the evolving future of mobility.
Why Simola Still Matters for South Africa
The Simola Hillclimb is more than a motorsport event. It has become one of the country’s most respected automotive proving grounds, attracting enthusiasts, media, industry stakeholders and performance brands from across the market.
For Changan, participating at Simola was not about chasing outright race results. It was about demonstrating confidence in its products and technology in a highly visible, highly demanding environment.
In a South African market where trust, durability, and real-world capability remain critical purchase considerations, events like Simola provide an important opportunity for brands to move beyond traditional marketing and place vehicles directly under scrutiny.
A Confident Step Forward for the Brand
Changan’s debut appearance at Simola reflects the brand’s broader momentum both globally and locally.
As the company continues expanding its international presence and electrified vehicle portfolio, South African customers are increasingly seeing products that combine advanced technology, modern design and evolving mobility solutions with practical usability and growing local relevance.
By bringing the Hunter K50 REEV and Deepal S07 to one of South Africa’s most demanding automotive events alongside partners Lindenberg Racing, Changan demonstrated more than performance capability. It demonstrated a willingness to challenge convention and actively participate in the future of mobility conversations happening within the local market.
