The Leapmotor C10 will become more powerful in China when a refreshed version goes on sale later this year, receiving a boost to put it on par with the best-selling Tesla Model Y.
As reported by Car News China, the updated C10 has appeared in Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filings, with its rear electric motor now producing 220kW.
This is an increase of 50kW on the 170kW output of Chinese-market C10s, and 60kW more than vehicles exported to Australia and Europe as part of the Stellantis joint venture Leapmotor International.
That 220kW output is now identical to the Tesla Model Y, which remains the world’s most popular electric vehicle (EV), and was recently updated with fresh looks and a new cabin amid rising competition globally.
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Due to the current specification differences between C10s sold in China and those delivered in Australia, it’s unclear whether this new, higher output will become available locally.
According to Car News China, there are no changes to the C10’s exterior, which is unsurprising as the electric SUV only launched overseas a year ago.
In Australia, the C10 is priced from $47,500 drive-away (applicable to 2024 model year examples delivered by March 31), and its 69.9kWh lithium iron phosphate battery provides a claimed 420km of driving range.
Despite being such a new model, it’s one of the few cars on sale in Australia without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as the car’s LEAP 3.0 architecture can’t support it.
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Australian-delivered C10
Leapmotor has said the C10 won’t get smartphone mirroring functionality until a mid-life update or a new-generation model, when the car’s architecture is changed to the LEAP 3.5 platform. A timeframe for this hasn’t been provided yet.
In the meantime, the mid-sized SUV is gaining a range-extender powertrain, with the C10 REEV due in showrooms this month.
Its 158kW electric motor driving the rear wheels is hooked up to a 28.4kWh battery, which can be charged by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet that doesn’t directly drive the wheels.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV is priced from $45,900 drive-away until June 30.
MORE: Everything Leapmotor C10
