KUALA LUMPUR: The all-electric Leapmotor C10 is launched today in Malaysia as the brand wades into a space brimming with mainly Chinese electric vehicle (EV) players fiercely battling for market share.
The C10 is available in a single variant at RM159,000 (on-the-road excluding insurance). However, it is being offered at an introductory price of RM149,000 for bookings made until Nov 30.
The C10 is Leapmotor’s first global product, built according to global design and safety standards. Malaysia is the first Asean country to get the C10. It is also the first EV to be offered in Malaysia by Stellantis under an agreement with the Chinese automaker that was announced in May.
Leapmotor International, a joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor, is making headway in expanding its electric vehicle (EV) lineup in the Asia-Pacific region. Stellantis holds 51% stake in the joint venture, while Leapmotor has 49%.
Earlier this month, the company announced that the first shipment of its C10 electric SUV had left its Shanghai plant, destined for various ports in the region. This marks a significant milestone for the company, which is looking to establish a strong foothold in the growing electric vehicle market.
The C10 is expected to be sold in Thailand, Nepal, Australia, and New Zealand starting this month. In addition, Leapmotor International has ambitious plans to expand its sales presence by establishing over 40 sales points across the India and Asia-Pacific region by the end of 2024.
The C10 is positioned as a premium family-focused D-segment electric SUV, offering driving optimisation by Maserati, comfort, safety and intelligence.
The vehicle is built on Leapmotor’s proprietary LEAP 3.0 platform, which integrates advanced electric technology such as a central integrated electronic and electrical architecture, cell-to-chassis technology, and a smart cockpit design.
The C10's design is minimalist yet sophisticated, featuring LED-powered angel-wing headlamps with sequencing daytime running lights (DRLs), a front bumper intake with an Active Grille Shutter (AGS) for cooling and aerodynamics, and horizontal side intake aprons.
Its 3-parallel beltline, 20-inch “Trident” wheels, and airfoil-styled spoiler with a hidden rear wiper enhance its modern appearance. The vehicle measures 4,739mm in length, 1,900mm in width, and 1,680mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,825mm and a ground clearance of 180mm.
Leapmotor has incorporated its innovative Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) 2.0 technology into the C10, making it the first in its segment to do so. This technology allows the vehicle’s battery to be integrated into the chassis, providing a 17.5% improvement in battery space layout.
The C10 supports flexible charging inputs, including 800V and 400V supercharging technology, and boasts enhanced safety features, such as 42,500Nm/deg torsional rigidity and improved thermal management.
The vehicle is powered by a 69.9 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a smart Battery Management System (BMS) to enhance battery life and stability.
The C10's permanent magnetic synchronous motor delivers 214hp and 320 Nm of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 7.5 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 170kph. It offers a range of 424km (WLTP) and can be charged from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes using DC fast charging of up to 84kW. AC charging is 6.6kW, which requires around six hours to charge the battery from 30% to 80%. The C10 supports vehicle to load (V2L) charging at up to 3.3kW.
Inside, the C10 features Leapmotor’s "Four-Leaf Clover" Central Electronic and Electrical Architecture (E/E), which is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. This system centralises control of the cockpit, driving, power, and body functions, providing seamless communication between components.
The vehicle's interior is designed with minimalism in mind, with most controls managed through voice commands. A 14.6-inch infotainment screen, paired with a 10.2-inch instrument display, provides access to vehicle functions and driving information.
The spacious cabin is designed for comfort, offering OEKO-Tex Standard 100 baby-friendly silicone textile seats, a PM2.5 air filtration system, and four customisable driving modes: ECO, Comfort, Sport, and Custom.
The C10 also boasts a range of family-friendly features, including foldable seats that can convert into a double bed, a panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, and a 12-speaker sound system with four concert hall audio modes.
On the safety front, the C10 is equipped with a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (Level 2 ADAS), including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centering Control (LCC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). The vehicle also features seven airbags and various alert systems for enhanced driver and passenger safety.
The C10 is available in Glazed Green, Pearly White, Canopy Grey, or Tundra Grey, with two interior colours — Criollo Brown (available only for Glazed Green) and Midnight Aurora.
The C10 comes with a 6-year or 150,000km warranty, whichever comes first. The 6-year warranty comprises a 4-year manufacturer warranty plus an additional 2-year full extended warranty.
Battery warranty is 8 years or 160,000km and service intervals are fixed at 1-year or 20,000km, whichever comes first.
Stellantis Malaysia will handle the sales, distribution, and after-sales services for the C10 starting with 18 point-of-sales locations this year with plans to add nine more in 2025.
There will also be 16 authorised service centres by 2025, with six of these locations already scheduled to be operational by the end of this year. Stellantis is the world’s fourth-largest automaker and has 15 auto brands under its roof.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz launched the event. Also present were Stellantis Asean chief operating officer Daniel Gonzalez and Stellantis Malaysia managing director Jamie Morais.
The C10 launch in Malaysia was preceded by the world premiere of the smaller B10 SUV at the Paris Motor Show on Oct 14. The B10 is based on a more advanced LEAP 3.5 platform.
Posing with the C10 are (from left) Morais, Zafrul and Gonzalez.
