Stellantis SA has launched a new brand in addition to its already extensive portfolio (Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot) with Leapmotor being an EV brand with a tech twist to counter Electric Vehicle range anxiety. We attended the launch of the C10 SUV in Cape Town and came away impressed.
There are two detrivatives of the C10 at launch i.e. Style and Design. The design is a head turner taking design cues from sports SUV models in Mzansi. The front gets LED Daytime lights placed on the outer side of the Adaptive LED Headlamps. The Leapmotor badge is placed in the front between the lights just on the bonnet base. The flat covered grille section hints at the Electric nature of the vehicle whilst the lower air intake has radiator fittings.
Fog lamps are placed lower in the bumper whilst air curtains on the outer edges of the bumper are both a design feature and a aerodynamic addition.
The Style model gets 18inch alloys with the top spec Design getting 20inch alloys. Flush door handles are a nice design feature giving the side a smooth flow. Roof rails are for added carrying capacity. There is a large 2.1 square Panoramic Glass Roof that gives the model a spacious feel inside.
The rear has design hints not far off those from a Porsche Cayenne in look especially in the Glazed Green metallic colour. There is an LED light bar that links both tail light cluster with dynamic lighting. There is a dolphin tail aerial atop the rear roof with a sport spoiler placed above the rear window. Leapmotor naming is placed below the lights.
The interior is a minimalistic, clean design with high quality materials used in places where occupants will touch. The interior is dominated by a 14.6 inch infotainment screen that is fully laminated at 2.5k resolution. This screen allows control of almost all functions of the vehicle from side mirrors, seat memory, navigation, smartphone mirroring (Apple) and Android Auto, interior and exterior feature controls. Climate controls settings are also placed on the screen with seat heating and cooling also controlled there.
The latest infotainment tech integrates with Over The Air (OTA) updates meaning the Leapmotor C10 is constantly updated with upgrades and feature updates seamlessly without the need to visit the dealership. The seats up front are electrically adjusted with memory function for both. The front seats can recline flat should the need arise. There are varying leather colour options available.
Since it's an EV platform, interior space is more than adequate with rear space at a premium. The panoramic roof aids the spacious feel. The rear seats can fold flat to aid carrying capacity.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV has a rear electric drive unit producing 158kW and 320Nm. The 28.4kWh battery pack allows 145km range on battery alone. With DC fast charging to provide 50% charge in 18 minutes or up to 80% in half an hour, remaining in EV mode is a practical reality. AC charging overnight can provide a full charge in approximately five hours. The one key differentiator between the C10 and other New Energy vehicles is the range extender engine. This engine, a 63kW/125Nm 1.5 4-cylinder unit is not connected to the drivetrain but is there purely to charge the batteries and give the C10 more than 970km range. 0-100km/h acceleration is done in 8,5 seconds. With Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom driving modes adapting throttle, regenerative braking, and steering feel, there’s a mode to suit every mood. And, of course, it’s always super-refined and quiet.
The comprehensive suite of safety features includes seven airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors and Autonomous Emergency Braking that detects cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering and Lane Departure Warning offer convenient driver assistance and Driver Monitoring uses camera technology to check for drowsiness or distraction.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV is available in Style and Design derivatives for R759,900 and R799,900 respectively. Peace of mind is ensured by five years/100 000km of warranty and service plan.