Ebro S700 and S800, two 'Spanish-ized' Chinese models that become plug-in hybrids.
The electrification of the Ebro is now a reality. Following its return to the market with the Chinese group Chery, the historic Spanish brand is launching plug-in hybrid versions of its S700 and S800 SUVs, which until now were only offered with combustion engines. The transition hasn't been limited to simply adding a battery; we're looking at models specifically developed for the new propulsion system, especially with regard to connectivity.
Both SUVs are positioned in the competitive family-oriented plug-in hybrid segment, where price and equipment are as crucial as electric range. In this context, the new Ebro PHEVs stand out for their range of up to 90 kilometers (over 1,100 km) in purely electric driving , certified fuel consumption of less than one liter per 100 kilometers, and quiet operation.
The Ebro s700 PHEV is a 4.55-meter compact SUV designed for five occupants, while the s800 grows to 4.72 meters to accommodate a third row of seats and up to seven. Both models share a platform, hybrid system, and philosophy: to be comfortable, practical, and technologically advanced vehicles, without resorting to eccentricities or exorbitant prices.
The S700 starts at €39,990 for the entry-level Premium version (€2,000 more for the Luxury version), while the S800 costs €46,990 for the top-of-the-range version, the only one available for a few weeks. During this launch phase, the brand is offering interesting promotions that, combined with the MOVES Plan, can lower these prices by around €14,000. In all cases, the equipment level is comprehensive, with finishes that, without being luxurious, have a very decent appearance.
The third-generation hybrid architecture is developed by Chery, Ebro's Chinese partner. The combustion engine is a 143 hp 1.5 turbo, coupled with a powerful 204 hp electric motor, managed by a DHT automatic transmission that always prioritizes the use of the electric motor. The combination delivers a combined maximum torque of 525 Nm, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds (s700) and 9 seconds (s800).
In everyday use, this translates into smooth driving, especially in urban environments, where the vehicle is almost always in electric mode. But efficiency outside of the city is also high, and with a discharged battery, fuel consumption is around 6 liters per 100 km, a low figure for cars of this size.
The 18.3 kWh battery can be recharged from 30% to 80% in 19 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger, which supports up to 40 kW. On AC power, it supports 6.6 kW and is fully charged in just over three hours. Using a home wall charger, charging to 1.65 kW takes about twelve hours.
In addition, the new Ebro models incorporate the V2L function, allowing the car to be used as a power source for external devices, with a power output of up to 3.3 kW—a valuable addition for getaways or emergency situations like the one experienced a few weeks ago in Spain.
The Ebro s700 PHEV's cabin exudes solidity. The Eco Skin seats, the flat-bottomed steering wheel with touch controls, the piano black finish, and the dual 12.3-inch curved screen create a modern, uncomplicated atmosphere. It features a head-up display, 64-color ambient lighting, and a central tunnel housing the hybrid system controls, including a button to force electric mode.
The S800, meanwhile, goes a step further. It incorporates a small rectangular screen as an instrument cluster, plus a large central screen (15.6 inches). Features include a 12-speaker Sony sound system, heated seats, ventilation, massage, and a footrest for the passenger. The second row can be adjusted by 40 cm , and the third row can be used for short trips. Trunk capacity is one of its strongest points: 889 liters in a five-seat configuration and more than 1,900 liters with the rear seatbacks folded down.
In both cases, the exterior design has been tweaked to improve aerodynamics, with a faired grille, full-LED headlights, and specific wheels—18" on the S700 and 19" on the S800. The result is a visually attractive, robust, and very well-proportioned car.
The multimedia system uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, one of the most powerful in the industry, with full connectivity, 50W wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a fast and customizable interface. Added to this is the EBROAuto app, which allows you to remotely control numerous functions via your mobile phone, such as climate control, battery charging, door locking, and vehicle location.
Safety is also a highlight of the new Ebro, as is the case with its exclusively gasoline-powered siblings. Both models come standard with 24 driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, lane change assist, 360-degree vision, and up to nine airbags in the case of the S800. The S700 adds a knee airbag compared to its combustion-engine counterpart.
The safety systems work with information collected by multiple sensors located throughout the vehicle: two radars, an occupant detector, a multifunction front camera, four surround-view cameras, eight ultrasonic sensors, and an infrared camera located on the steering wheel.
One of the added values of these models is their origins in the Zona Franca factory in Barcelona, renamed Ebro Factory. This plant, which Nissan closed in 2021, is returning to life as a symbol of reindustrialization, local employment, and technological commitment. The agreement between Ebro and Chery contemplates the domestic production of hybrid models and, in the future, also pure electric models.
Ebro's current dealer network has 50 distributors in Spain, which will expand to 80 by the end of this year. All of the brand's cars offer a 7-year or 150,000 km warranty, which extends the coverage to 8 years or 160,000 km for the electrical system. Ebro has also reached agreements with various partners, such as Credit Agricole for financing and Kuehne + Nagel for after-sales logistics.
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