Leapmotor has just officially launched its C10, an electric SUV competing with the Tesla Model Y. If we’re talking to you about it, it’s because it may well arrive in Europe, notably thanks to a partnership with Stellantis (Peugeot group, Citroën, Fiat and Jeep). This electric car surprises with its low price, but also with its apparently extremely high consumption…
It’s a fact: Chinese electric cars are taking more and more space in Europe, even if government authorities do not view this favorably. We know, for example, MG or BYD in France, but the list should soon grow.
You may have already heard of Leapmotor, which already distributes its small T03 city car here, and which made headlines by partnering with Stellantis (a group of Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat and Jeep, among others). The brand has officially launched its SUVthe C10, the opportunity to know all its characteristics, and in particular his price.
Several engines on the program
This Leapmotor C10 is therefore an electric SUV of 4.74m long and 1.90 m wide, which will be available in two large engine families.
First there is a version 100% electricavailable with two different battery capacities, both LFP (lithium — iron — phosphate) type: one of 52.9 kWh and one of 69.9 kWhenough to promise respective autonomy of 410 and 530 km…on the Chinese CLTC cycle, much less realistic than our European WLTP cycle.
It would take around 350 and 450 km in WLTP, which is little given the size of the batteries. In China, the Tesla Model Y offers 554 km CLTC / 455 km WLTP with a 60 kWh battery, enough ask questions about consumption of the Leapmotor C10.
For customers who do not want to go 100% electric, the C10 is also available in a version “range extender”. Understand by this that a thermal engine is present but only serves as a generator, supplying the battery with electricity and not directly turning the wheels.
In this second configuration, we therefore have a 70 kW/95 hp motor which supports a 28.4 kWh battery, in turn powering a 170 kW/231 hp electric motor. Autonomies? 210 km CLTC in pure electric and 1,190km CLTC in total, i.e. approximately 180 km and 1,010 km in WLTP respectively.
On the charging side, the figures are lacking. We will barely know that the 30-80% will be done in 30 minutes for both versions, a score again quite average.
Equipment and presentation without false note
The Leapmotor C10 does not revolutionize the category either with its very classic exterior style, nor with the presentation of its interior. The dashboard, very minimalist, has a central screen of 14.6 inches and a 10.25-inch instrument cluster for the driver, all running under “ Leapmotor OS“, an in-house system.
In terms of equipment, the car is connected and carries 30 sensors, including LiDAR, to offer level 2+ autonomous driving. OTA updates are, of course, included.
Surprisingly low prices, and a planned arrival in Europe
Where Leapmotor is strong is on prices. The 100% electric C10 thus begins 128,000 yuan, or around 16,500 euros. It is twice as expensive that the Tesla Model Y Propulsion costs 258,900 yuan (around 33,200 euros)!
The extender version is a little more expensive, 135,800 yuan (around 17,400 euros), but it remains extremely competitive. This electric SUV is planned to be exported from third quarter 2024and Europe should therefore be in its destinations.
Its European price remains unknown for the moment, although we should expect that it will not be as low as in China. It remains to be seen whether it will be imported directly, or if it will be manufactured in Europe, and more particularly in the Mirafiori factory in Italy. This would allow it to access the ecological bonus in France. Answer in a few weeks, then.