Stylish and efficient – but naggy

The Deepal S07 is replete with warning beeps and messages

- Christopher Tan

Studies have shown that nagging is largely ineffective. Often, it is even counterproductive. But you do not need a psychologist to tell you that.

Then, why do carmakers – especially Chinese ones – equip their vehicles with features which I collectively call "nagging devices"?

Go over a speed limit by just a tad, a chime goes off. Get too close to a white line, another bell rings. Glance at the infotainment screen a split second too long, another ding comes on. Negotiate a tight multi-storey carpark ramp, and you have a percussion band going.

Some reminders are rightly called for. The seatbelt warning, which gets increasingly loud and intolerable, is one. Another which detects driver fatigue is a good thing, although it can have false readings if the driver has droopy eyelids.

A couple of Chinese brands have pared down these nagging devices. But not Deepal.

The newcomer's first model, the S07 electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), is replete with them. On one occasion, its speed warning keeps sounding because the system mistakes a 70kmh limit for 40kmh.

The model is also equipped with human/pet detection, which blasts the car's horn should you lock the doors with Rocky or granny still in the back seat. In the test car, which is said to be a pre-production unit, the detector is a little wonky.