Australian confirmation of the more potent Leapmotor C10 BEV is still forthcoming, but the brand says it will continue with its mid-size SUV nameplate for some time to come.
The Leapmotor C10 may have just arrived in Australian showrooms barely six months ago, but a newer, more powerful version is already on the horizon and could be here before year’s end.
Revealed last month, the new overseas version of the 2026 C10 BEV (battery electric vehicle) has its power boosted from 170kW to 220kW, the battery size also growing from 69.9kWh to 74.9kWh.
This cuts the claimed 0-100k/h sprint time in the C10 EV from 7.5 seconds to 5.9s, while range is boosted by about 14 per cent that would translate to about another 60km to result in 480km total on the WLTP standard.
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Curiously, in Australia, the output of the rear electric motor in the current C10 is 160kW, so it remains to be seen if the increased power will match the China-market version.
Speaking to media at the launch of the C10 Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV), Leapmotor Australia CEO Andy Hoang would not be drawn on whether the upgraded model would arrive Down Under.
“We haven’t confirmed our product plans on that yet,” Hoang said.
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However, he did say the Stellantis-backed Chinese brand will continue to offer the mid-size SUV nameplate for the foreseeable future.
“Absolutely [we are committed to the C10 nameplate], C10 and B10 are the two products that we have announced – C10 is already here,” Hoang said.
“B10, obviously, is the smaller-sized SUV we launched at the Paris motor show last year – we’ve committed to that as well.
“But other than that, we’re yet to confirm any other products.”
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While the rear electric motor and battery has been improved in the BEV version of the C10, the changes do not carry over to the REEV, which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and 158kW electric with a 28.5kWh battery.
Outside of the high-voltage component changes, the infotainment processor has also been updated to a Qualcomm Snapdragon ‘8295P’ unit, auto-presenting door handles, and a 50-watt wireless smartphone charger.
If the upgraded C10 BEV comes to Australia, it is expected prices will rise from the current $45,888 before on-road costs starting point.
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