Range-extender version of Leapmotor C10 possible for Aus
Efficient EREV SUV could shake-up the established hybrid and plug-in hybrid hierarchyLeapmotor has announced that a range-extender version of its inbound C10 medium SUV could be introduced here alongside the battery-electric versions, pending the latter’s market reception.
Locked and loaded for a local release in the fourth quarter, the 2024 Leapmotor C10 will initially be powered by a 170kW/320Nm single-motor powertrain – drawing current from a 69.9kWh battery pack – with both the range-extender and dual-motor variants said to be under study.
“It’s the customers that make the decisions,” Leapmotor international operations vice president Matt Lei told Australian media.
“We definitely need to work together with the local team and try to figure out what is the best for the local customers.
“So if we do see there’s opportunities for the range-extender version, we will willingly consider that because countries differ from each other and we need to figure out what is the best product portfolio for Australia.”
The range-extender powertrain is marketed overseas as the EREV (extended range electric vehicle) and sees the battery-electric system swapped out for a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid system said to offer up to 210km (CLTC) of electric range from a downsized 28.4kWh battery.
Combine a full battery with a full fuel tank, and the plug-in C10 will cover up to 1190km, Leapmotor claims.
With both global and local EV demand cooling, the local emergence of the C10 EREV could end up paying dividends for Leapmotor as it fights for a seat at the table Down Under, especially since it’s coming in as something of an unknown.
According to Lei, the brand plans to let its product do the talking with (self-proclaimed) class-leading comfort, refinement, convenience and accessibility, despite the waning demand for EVs, and myriad other Chinese brands entering the market.
“Brands need to be recognised, and positively,” he said.
“The brand we’re offering is accessible for all.
“It’s not only for the rich consumers … we want to bring accessible technology to those consumers who want to enjoy electric mobility.
Local pricing and finer specification details will be announced next month, however Leapmotor Australia has nominated a seven-year/160,000km warranty for the C10 with an extra year’s coverage for its primary drive battery and a dealership presence in every state.
Pricing will undoubtedly be one of the hot talking points come the announcement, since Lei refused to nominate any models he deemed direct competitors for the C10 before eventually declaring it a rival for internal combustion models rather than EVs.
“We will not say we’re competing with any other BEV players in the market, we’ll join hands together, we want to sell more BEV in this society to ultimately benefit the whole society,” he said.
“That is our mission … ICE vehicle is our competitor, not any of the BEV competitors.”
Whether or not the C10 somehow manages to worry internal combustion medium SUVs on price remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt the EREV could cause some headaches in the hybrid and PHEV sectors for both the major players like Mitsubishi and Toyota as well as challengers like BYD.
All will be revealed next month.
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