Leapmotor C10 in for bigger battery and motor? 

The C10 electric SUV by Leapmotor hasn’t long been on the market here. Despite that, it might be in for an update with a new electric motor and battery pack. There’s also additional technology.

But it looks like the C10 fully electric model is in for a power and range boost. That’s thanks to moving from a 400v to 800v architecture. A more potent electric motor outputs 220kW, up 60kW from the existing unit. 

It is not yet clear whether this change will apply to the global version of the C10 or is a China-only model. One other change to the C10 is the addition of a 75kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack (up from 70kWh). It is said to offer range in excess of 600km. However, that figure is derived from the Chinese CLTC lab-test standard.

The bigger motor certainly improves performance claims. Updated C10 with 220kW is capable of cutting out the 0-100 acceleration test in 5.9sec. That’s down by 1.6sec on the existing model. 

There are no changes to the C10 range-extender plug-in hybrid model, at least for power output or battery size. Figures remain at 158kW and 28.4kWh, respectively, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as a generator.

Other changes to the Leapmotor C10 include an updated Qualcomm Snapdragon ‘8295P’ processor for its infotainment system, and a new purple exterior colour. There are also power-operated exterior door handles, and a faster 50-watt wireless phone charger.

This year, almost 50 examples of the C10 have sold new in New Zealand, just over half EVs and just under half the new range-extender PHEV.

We have asked Auto Distributors whether the updated C10 is due here at some stage, and await an answer.