Leapmotor C10 EV-Yet Another Electric SUV Crowds into the Market

Leapmotor is making its debut in the increasingly crowded Australian electric vehicle market with the launch of its highly anticipated C10, a sleek mid-size electric SUV arriving this November. Founded in 2015, the Leapmotor is new, even by Chinese standards and is jointly own by Stellantis. The C10 marks the brand’s first foray into Australia and brings a combination of advanced technology, simple design, and average driving performance that’s going to need to be price right in order to compete. At under $50,000, C10 is under the Model Y Tesla by 6 grand and the Subaru Solterra by 16k but both brands have established reputations.

There is an interesting incentive for those curious to experience the C10 firsthand; Leapmotor is offering a chance to win a one-month trial by registering interest at leapmotor.com/au before November 30, 2024. Additionally, anyone who orders and takes delivery of their C10 by March 31, 2025, will receive a year of free charging through the Chargefox network, making it even easier to make the switch to electric driving.

The C10 will be available in two variants—the Style and Design—both packed with features. The entry-level Style comes with 18-inch black double five-spoke wheels and a 14.6-inch high-definition central display. It also boasts 17 advanced driver-assistance features, including a 360-degree camera and over-the-air (OTA) software updates, keeping the car’s tech current. The Design model, on the other hand, steps up the luxury with 20-inch trident wheels, multi-colour ambient lighting, and heated front seats and steering wheel for added comfort. Hopefully buyers are able to choose a colour other than orange.

What sets the C10 apart is its foundation, built on Leapmotor’s LEAP3.0 platform. This platform integrates several industry-first technologies, including the Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) Battery System, which improves handling, safety, and space efficiency. Another key innovation is Leapmotor’s self-developed Four-leaf Clover™ four-domain-in-one electrical architecture, which combines the cockpit, driver assistance, powertrain, and body systems into a unified, intelligent driving experience.

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ABOVE: Leapmotor C10

With a 420km range (WLTP cycle), the C10 is not exactly long-range. Its uncomplicated exterior design, including flush door handles and streamlined body lines, has earned it the 2023 International CMF Design Award and a 2024 Gold Award from the French Design Awards. affirming its appeal not only for functionality but also for its refined aesthetics.

Inside, the C10 offers ample space for passengers and cargo, with 581 litres of storage when the seats are upright, expanding to 1,410 litres when the second-row seats are folded. This makes the C10 a practical choice for families or anyone needing extra room. The interior is thoughtfully designed, featuring 26 storage spaces and 180-degree flat-fold seating, ideal for road trips or carrying bulky items. The first row offers generous legroom, and the premium OEKO-TEX® silicone leather seating ensures comfort while adhering to high textile safety standards.

The C10’s 14.6-inch infotainment system, combined with a 10.25-inch driver display, provides a seamless, customisable interface. Drivers can enjoy built-in apps like Spotify, TikTok, and Zoom without needing to pair their phones, thanks to the vehicle’s 4G connectivity. The 12-speaker 7.1-channel surround sound system adds to the immersive experience, with four audio modes to suit different preferences.

Safety:

Leapmotor C10 has standard active and passive features as required by modern motoring. Its high-strength frame is designed to withstand significant impact forces, and has seven airbags, pre-tensioning seat belts, and an array of advanced driver-assistance systems.

The All-New Leapmotor C10 features the LEAP Pilot Intelligent Driver Assistance System with 12 high-precision ADAS sensors and 17 ADAS functions:

ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
LCC (Lane Centring Control)
ELK (Emergency Lane Keep)
FCW (Front Collision Warning)
RCW (Rear Collision Warning)
RCTB (Rear Cross Traffic Brake)
ISA (Intelligent Speed Assist)
DDAW (Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning)
DOW (Door Open Warning)
LDW (Lane Departure Warning)
LKA (Lane Keep Assist)
TJA (Traffic Jam Assist)
AEB (Autonomous Emergency Brake)
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
BSD (Blind Sport Detection)
HOD (Hands Off Detection)
AADW (Advanced Driver Distraction Warning)

Smart Electric Powertrain

The Leapmotor C10 has a single rear-mounted 160kW/320Nm electric motor with a 69.9kWh lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP) battery pack. The vehicle is developed with Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology meaning the battery cells are integrated into the structure of the car, leading to a greater driving range of up to 420km, based on the WLTP cycle. The C10 comes with an eight-year high-voltage battery warranty.

The maximum DC charge rate is only 84kW, well behind much of the market. The battery goes from 30-80% in 30 minutes, so not exactly speedy. AC charging take more than six hours because on-board AC is limited to 6.6kW. Included as standard are both mode 2 and mode 3 charging cables and Vehicle-to-Load capability.

The C10 includes four separate drive modes, featuring three levels of regenerative braking and three separate steering modes:

Drive Mode	Description
ECO	Smooth acceleration, strong regenerative braking, comfortable steering
Chill	Stable acceleration, low regenerative braking, comfortable steering
Sport	Powerful acceleration, strong regenerative braking, sporty steering
Custom	Customise acceleration, regenerative braking and steering mode to driver’s preference