Leapmotor is as good as its name, launching the C10 SUV Down Under. The new
Chinese brand backed by Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, Ram and
Peugeot, has introduced Australia to two variants – the Style and Design.
The company is serious about taking on the market, with the pair starting at $45,888
for the Style and $49,888, the Design, boasting a range of 420 kilometres from its
single lithium-ion battery charged motor.
The debutants have since been joined by a range-extender vehicle (REEV) pushing
out to a claimed 1150 kilometres with its petrol/electric hybrid system.
The C10 is Leapmotor’s first global product based on the LEAP3.0 platform, eight
years in the making. The vehicle has Cell-to-Chassis technology where 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 is backed by a seven-year, 160,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year,
160,000km high-voltage battery warranty.
STYLING
The Leapmotor C10 lands at the top end of the medium SUV, bigger than a Toyota
RAV4 (by 124mm) and longer than the Nissan X-Trail (59mm), and Mitsubishi
Outlander (29mm).
Externally, it’s modern SUV, with a typical EV ‘smile’ up front and body featuring the
increasingly popular flush door handles.
Out back, the Design sports a power tailgate, LED dynamic light bar, rear privacy
and panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade. The vehicle rolls on 20-inch alloy
wheels.
INTERIOR
Bigger dimensions translate to extra interior space, with second-row occupants, in
particular, welcoming the extra length.
The cabin interior is minimalist by nature with touches of the latest in silicone leather
seats with Oeko-Tex. Front seats are heated and ventilated, as is the steering wheel.
Mood-setting intelligent ambient lighting works in harmony with the surround sound
audio.
A deep centre console box features a floating console design with storage
underneath (plus USB-A and C ports hidden from view). On top of the console are a
pair of cupholders and a wireless charge pad. Door bins are huge, but the glovebox
is skimpy, the key being ‘glove’.
The cell-to-chassis system gives the cabin a flat and lower floor, hence more rear
legroom. Boot space is provided by 581 litres with the rear seatbacks upright,
expanding to 1410 litres folded with them folded.
INFOTAINMENT
An expansive 14.6-inch touchscreen dominates the dash, acting as the interface for
nearly all of the car’s controls. Switches on the side of the seat, window switches on
the doors, and a sunroof blind and hazard light switch in the roof are the only other
controls. Air vent controls, drive modes and headlights are through the touchscreen.
The driver gets a 10.25-inch instrument display offering a simple, clear info format
with no customisation other than being able to cycle through trip data, a small map
view, or media/track data. There’s an absence of a head-up display.
Twelve speakers serve up 7.1-channel surround sound of 840W power, while four
audio modes, labelled Enjoy, Surround, Theatre and Dynamic, cover the audio
spectrum.
A Leapmotor app allows the driver to stay connected at all times, even when away
from the car. Features include smartphone Bluetooth key support, real time vehicle
location and remote air-conditioning control.
Drivers can also log into embedded apps such as Spotify, TikTok and Zoom through
the central instrument display. Note, these run independently of any smartphone
connection by means of an inbuilt 4G connection.
The Leapmotor proximity key provided can unlock the car via a reader on the driver’s
side exterior rearview mirror.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
The Leapmotor C10 is powered by a single rear-mounted 160kW/320Nm e-motor
with a 69.9kWh lithium ferro-phosphate battery pack. The vehicle is developed with
Cell-to-Chassis 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.
With a maximum DC charge rate of up to 84kW, recharging from 30 to 80 per cent
can be achieved in approximately 30 minutes, while equivalent AC charging will take
a little over six hours with an onboard charger capable of 6.6kW. Included as
standard in the kit are both mode 2 and mode 3 charging cables and there is
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability.
SAFETY
The Leapmotor C10 has been awarded a five-star safety rating to 2024 standard.
Equipment across the range includes seven airbags – dual front airbags, front seat
side and centre airbags, and full-length curtain airbags. The outboard rear seats
feature ISOFIX child seat mounts, and all three have a top tether anchorage.
On the move there’s adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-
spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, lane centring, lane-keep assist plus
emergency lane-keep assist.
DRIVING
Performance puts the car firmly in the family segment, with quiet, comfortable,
driveable characteristics.
The C10 includes four separate drive modes, featuring three levels of regenerative
braking and three separate steering modes: Eco, Sport, Chill and Custom. Eco is
adaptable around town, while the switch to Sport hardly gets the blood rushing –
more Sport(ish) in character, really.
Unique suspension tuning produces a passive ride, even on some of Australia’s
more neglected roads. Corners are taken as they come, even in the sportier modes.
Happily, the driver is paramount, with touchscreen duplication of system controls by
switches on the steering wheel, so there is no need to reach for the big screen in the
centre of the dash.
SUMMARY
I found regen braking especially to my liking when simplified to iPedal single pedal
driving in the C10. If only lane-keep assist would stop chipping in when not needed.
The cabin chorus of audible alerts can also be wearing for occupants. Less of the
‘bells and whistles’ would be nice.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 6
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 6
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Leapmotor C10 Style RWD SUV $45,888
Leapmotor C10 Design RWD SUV $49,888
Options:
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact
your Leapmotor local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Leapmotor C10 Design,1sp auto RWD SUV)
ENGINE
Electric motor: Rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power: 160kW
Maximum torque: 320Nm
DRIVELINE: Single-speed automatic, RWD
BATTERY: Lithium ion, 69.9kWh
PERFORMANCE:
Driving range: 420km (claim)
Energy consumption (claim): 19.8kWh/100km
CHARGING:
DC capacity: 85kW
Approx DC charge time: 30min (30-80pc)
DC connector: DCS2
AC capacity: 6.6kW
Approx AC charge time: 12hr
AC connector: Type2
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4739mm
Width: 1900mm
Height: 1680mm
Wheelbase: 2825mm
Turning circle: n/a
Kerb weight: 1995kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / 160,000 kilometres
Eight years / 160,000 kilometres high-voltage battery
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