First drive Leapmotor C10
High-value, upmarket new electric D-SUV eyes up UK corporate success.
Martyn Collins
Unsurprisingly, considering the current flurry of launches and reveals, Leapmotor is one of several Chinese EV manufacturers offering their cars to British fleet drivers.
However, where Leapmotor could be more attractive and accepted by UK fleet buyers more than rivals, is that Leapmotor International, which is selling these cars, has an alliance with Stellantis – which owns a majority 51% stake. The C10 is Leapmotor’s D-segment SUV, that is expected to have the most corporate and fleet appeal in the UK. Only available in one high-spec equipment grade, the C10 is priced at £36,500, or on 0% finance for £399 deposit, then £399 per month. C10 technical highlights include a 70kWh battery, 218hp and 236ft-lb of torque, a 263-mile WLTP range, a five- star Euro NCAP result, and 17 ADAS safety features. Outside, the C10’s overall shape looks Porsche Macan- like. The flanks are clean and sharp, with the power pop-out handles, lower cut-out, and attractive 20in alloy wheels giving some character. The front, for us, is the least successful part of the design, with the low-set headlights and centre trim giving the illusion of a light bar
but looking very anonymous. Inside, Leapmotor has taken its design inspiration from popular EVs such as Teslas, as virtually everything is controlled by the central 14.6in infotainment touchscreen. Otherwise, there are scroll wheels on the also simple and thin multifunction steering wheel. There is another smaller 10.25in screen for instruments, but
Standard equipment: Heat pump, NFC keycard and keyless go, dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, fog lights, electric heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charger, rear parking sensors, around view monitor 360 camera, 12-speaker surround sound hi-fi , 10.25in HD instrument cluster, 14.6in touchscreen with navigation, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, 20in alloy wheels.
Engine: Electric: 218hp
Equipment grades: C10
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
elsewhere the dashboard is button-free. The driving position is comfortable, and adjustable. The faux-leather trimmed seats are surprisingly soft but still offer a reasonable amount of support. The screens themselves have a good resolution and are easy to read. However, although fast to react, accessing functions is more complicated and fiddly than it should be. There is voice control, but it couldn’t seem to answer any of our questions and chimed into conversation when not asked. There is also no Apple Carplay or Android Auto compatibility, which we’re told will be added later. Move to the back, and there’s even more space – even the tallest will get comfortable. Rear passengers get their own centre-mounted USB-A and USB-C ports, plus air vents. There is also a practically shaped boot area, boasting 581 litres.
On the road, drive modes alter the weight of the steering and throttle. Modes closest to their name were ‘Eco’, which retards the throttle, and ‘Comfort’ which seems to soften all the settings. ‘Sport’, as expected, sharpens the throttle response and adds more weight to the steering. With 218hp, performance was more than adequate, but it didn’t feel that quick off the mark, as its 7.5 seconds 0-62mph acceleration figure suggests. We like the different brake regen modes, with ‘one-pedal’ our favourite, and perfect for stop/start driving around town. It is a shame then, that the brakes
Leapmotor C10
P11D £36,445 On sale Now Residual value: 43.1% Depreciation: £20,756 Fuel: £3,542 Service, maintenance and repair: TBC Cost per mile: TBC Range: 263 miles CO2 (BiK%): 0g/km (2%) BIK 20/40% a month: £12/£24 Luggage capacity: 581 litres Battery size/power: 70kWh/218hp
themselves are grabby at low speed, and are hard to modulate at normal speeds. Comfortable rather than dynamic best describes the handling, and even in ‘Sport’ mode, the C10 isn’t that much fun to drive. The biggest problem is you can feel its two-tonne weight in the corners, which results in more body roll than expected. Then there’s the steering, which has three different modes, all lacking in feel, and is at its best in ‘Normal’ mode.
Considering the standard-fit 20in wheels, the ride around town is comfortable and competent. Less happy at higher speeds – but this partly could be down to the annoying, and overbearing ADAS systems fitted.
There is plenty to like about the Leapmotor C10. It looks and feels upmarket, has impressive levels of interior space and plenty of standard equipment for the price. We just feel more work is needed on the infotainment and safety systems, to suit UK buyers. However, we look forward to spending more time with the C10 in the future.
Positive Simple, Tesla-like feel
to the spacious and practical interior, well-equipped.
Negative
Unsettled ride at higher speeds, not much fun to drive, no Apple
Carplay or Android Auto compatibility, ADAS systems are intrusive and diffi cult to turn off , lack of physical controls.
www.businesscar.co.uk | March/April 2025 | 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
