Leapmotor C16 and D19 large SUVs firm for Australia

Leapmotor Australia is actively assessing the C16 and upcoming D19 large SUVs for local showrooms, with the brand’s product planning manager confirming both models are on the radar as the Chinese car-maker expands its vehicle portfolio.

Leapmotor Australia product planning manager Rick Crichton confirmed the brand is closely watching opportunities to expand beyond its current B10 and C10 SUVs.

“Yeah, it’s something that we’re always looking at,” he confirmed when asked if the C16 and D19 large SUVs were on the menu for Aussie buyers.

Right now, Leapmotor offers small and mid-size SUVs locally, and the near five-metre-long C16 appears to be the next logical step for the fast-growing challenger brand.

“Nothing we can confirm today, at the moment, but certainly the product portfolio in China is continuing to expand, and it certainly gives us a lot of options to pick,” Crichton said.

The Leapmotor C16 is a three-row, six- or seven-seat family SUV measuring 4915mm long.

In China, pricing starts at the equivalent of about $31,000, though any Australian launch would almost certainly see that figure climb north of $50,000 to avoid undercutting the five-seat C10, which is currently priced between $44K and $50K.

Two powertrains are offered overseas. The first pairs a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid system (170kW/320Nm) with a 28kWh battery. The second is a fully electric version featuring a 215kW rear-mounted electric motor and a 68kWh LFP battery.

The EV claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.4 seconds and, if priced aggressively, could line up against the Kia EV9 at a fraction of the price.

Inside, the C16 mirrors the C10’s layout with a 14.6-inch floating infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster.

High-grade six-seat versions add tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats across the first two rows, a 21-speaker stereo and a 15.6-inch rear entertainment display.

Crichton revealed the Australian arm has meaningful input into future product planning.

“They are constantly asking for our feedback,” he said.

“We’ve got a pretty good handle on the Australian automotive landscape, so they are always curious for our feedback. They want our input,” said Crichton.

“They’re super responsive, even in some of the requests I’ve made for simple feature changes via OTA [over the air vehicle updates], they’ve come through lightning quick.

“So I’ve been super impressed with their responsiveness, and they’re willing to take requests and feedback for sure.”

Also under consideration is the larger Leapmotor D19, which has been previewed ahead of its Chinese launch. Measuring 5252mm long, the D19 sits above the C16 and shapes as a luxury-focused flagship.

The EV version uses a 115kWh battery featuring CATL’s ‘dual-core’ chemistry combining LFP and ternary lithium cells, delivering a claimed 720km range under the CLTC cycle.

Built on a 1000-volt electrical architecture, the D19 produces 540kW, accelerates to 100km/h in under three seconds and can add 350km of range in 15 minutes of charging.

A range-extender EV (REEV) version pairs an 80.3kWh battery with a 1.5-litre generator, offering a claimed 500km electric-only range and a combined power output of 400kW.

The cabin features a 60-inch augmented reality head-up display, Level 3-ready driving systems and even an onboard oxygen generator capable of producing 8.0 litres per minute, designed to assist occupants during high-altitude travel.

Another model already locked in for Australia is the Leapmotor B05 electric hatch, due in local showrooms later this year.

“So that B05 will be coming to us in the back half this year,” Crichton said before confirming the new compact A10 SUV – renamed B03X for export markets – will also arrive in Australia in 2026.

Together with the C16 and D19, these incoming models represent the kind of ambitious product expansion that helped convince Stellantis to acquire a 21 per cent stake in Leapmotor in a deal worth $2.5 billion back in 2023.

Leapmotor Australia’s current focus remains on establishing the B10 and C10 locally, but the brand’s expanding Chinese line-up gives it clear scope to move into the lucrative large SUV segment.

Should the C16 and D19 secure the green light, they would significantly broaden Leapmotor’s footprint in Australia and potentially apply serious price pressure to established large SUVs.

Leapmotor execs have also expressed interest in a dual-cab ute on several occasions, a vehicle that almost certainly become the brand’s best-selling vehicle here.

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