Leapmotor C10 and T03, the “Italian-Chinese” SUV and city car are coming
C10 e T03here are the first models that Leap motor – a Chinese startup specializing in electrified cars – will bring to Europe. The first shipment left by ship from Shanghai and will reach the shores of the Old Continent in about a month.
From there, marketing will begin in European marketsincluding Italy, in a network that will initially have 200 points of sale, then increase to 500 by the end of 2026. Stellantis will play a fundamental role in this, as it controls 51% of Leapmotor International, a joint venture with the Chinese company that holds the exclusive rights to market and produce the Leapmotor models in Europe.
Leapmotor C10, the plug-in SUV
The spearhead of the first wave will be the Leap motor C10a 4.73-metre long SUV available with an electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, positioning itself in the D segment in competition with the Honda CR-V, Seat Tarraco, Mazda CX-60, Opel Grandland and Nissan X-Trail, just to name a few.
Soft lines without frills, technological interiors and minimal (as per the current trend) and a lot of technology are part of the calling card of the Leapmotor C10, marketed as mentioned both in the 100% electric version and with a plug-in powertrain.
Leapmotor C10, side view
Leapmotor C10, the interior
The first is driven by a rear electric motor 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque, powered by a 69.9 kWh battery pack for 530 km of autonomy, calculated in the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle, much more permissive than our WLTP.
The second one is not a plug-in as we are used to, but an EREVelectric with extended autonomy. The internal combustion engine, a 1.5 petrol engine with 95 hp, has the sole task of recharging the 28.4 kWh LFP battery which powers a 231 hp rear electric motor, for a total range of 1,190 km.
I Leapmotor C10 prices are still unknown. In China it is sold for the equivalent of 19,400 euros. For Europe, transport costs and duties imposed by Europe on Chinese electric cars must be taken into account.
Leapmotor T03, the anti-Panda city car
Instead it will be positioned as entry level of the range is the Leapmotor T03, a 3.62 metre long city car – just under a Fiat Panda – and is available only with an electric motor. A small city car that will challenge the many new small battery-powered cars arriving in Europe such as Hyundai Inster, Citroën C3, Fiat Grande Panda, Renault 5 and so on.
The exterior and interior design are simple but refined, the passenger compartment is rational and technological with an 8” monitor for the digital instrumentation and 10.1” for the infotainment. ADAS equipment It is complete and includes adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keeping assist and driver fatigue detection.
Leapmotor T03, the front
Leapmotor T03, the interior
The powertrain consists of a front-mounted engine with 109 hp and 158 Nm of torque powered by a 41.3 kWh lithium-ion battery integrated into the floor, for 280 km range calculated according to the WLTP cycle.
As for the C10, the Leapmotor T03 prices have not yet been disclosed. In France and However, the most interesting aspect of all is the price, with the T03 already being sold in France with a base price of 25,000 euros, minus the various bonuses recognized by the French government. Even in this case, however, it will have to deal with additional duties of 20.8%.
The other models
If for now there will be two Leapmotor models marketed in Europe, in the next few years the range will expand consistently. Tavares has in fact promised at least one new product a year. But what will come?
In China there are the Berlin C01 hey C11 and C16 SUVsavailable with EREV or 100% electric engines. They are the main suspects, but the arrival of other models specifically designed for the European market cannot be ruled out.
