Electric car: Driving impressions with entry-level family SUV Leapmotor C10

The Chinese electric car start-up Leapmotor wants to gain a foothold in Europe with the small car T03 and the mid-range SUV C10. This seems ambitious in view of the restrained success of the major Chinese car manufacturers BYD and Great Wall Motor. Its concept of having to rely on as few suppliers as possible, as other Chinese manufacturers are now also doing, is intended to cut costs and reduce dependence on supply chains after the bad experiences of recent years. The fact that a start-up of all things has been given a chance with these models is due to the model policy of the multi-brand global corporation Stellantis, which has invested in Leapmotor in order to enable European customers to enter the world of e-mobility with these two models. In view of the sales figures, it is currently becoming downright exciting to observe this venture.

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Leapmotor C10 ext (6 Bilder)

At 4.74 meters, the C10 is a mid-range electric car in the format of a Tesla Model Y and offers 435 to 1410 liters of cargo space. The cockpit is reduced in the best Tesla manner, the display for the instruments measures 10.25, the touchscreen 14.6  inches. Apart from the steering wheel with a few buttons, there are no controls. The infotainment doesn't have any big surprises in store. You select the area on a virtual bar on the left and then scroll through the submenus on the right.

Firm but quiet

The chassis is trimmed for comfort, which suits the C10's positioning as a family car well. However, the suspension is firm, while the damping is slack and the body occasionally bobs a little when driving over bumps. The indirect steering conveys little feel for the road. It fits in with the impression of comfort and doesn't bother you any further. At the same time, the C10 is quiet. Measurements will show to what extent the Chinese electric car outperforms the German competition. The promise is to have reduced the noise level to 76 dB(A) through 40 different measures and extremely quiet electric motors, "quieter than the German premium models". The navigation system was noticeably sluggish at times, with some instructions coming too late. The automatic air conditioning was unable to maintain the desired temperature throughout the test drive. At times, a strong cold draught blew on the legs of the two front occupants.

The output of 218 kW is completely sufficient at all times. If desired, the system can be set to recuperate so strongly that – apart from emergency braking – you can get by with just one pedal. The C10 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 km/h.

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Leapmotor C10 int​ (3 Bilder)

We mostly drove in comfort mode and achieved an average of 18.8 kWh per 100 kilometers, exactly one kWh/100 km less than the data sheet states. Even less might have been possible in Eco mode, but we were on our very first test drive and therefore have to ask for patience until a meaningful test is possible.

Low charging capacity

With 69.9 kWh, the battery is said to offer a range of 420 kilometers (in the WLTP). This is unremarkable so far, but the charging power is not suitable for every type of use, as it is a maximum of 84 kW at a DC charging point and only 6.6 kW at an AC charging point. Leapmotor is therefore vowing to do better for good reason and points out that the C10 still uses the 400-volt architecture. The 800-volt version with a significantly higher charging capacity is about to go on sale.

The fact that Leapmotor is not bringing the top technology to Europe straight away could be due to the desire for a low entry price at market launch. The Leapmotor C10 costs at least 36,400 euros, with the top "Design" trim level costing 1500 euros more and, as with the T03 small car, you get a lot of equipment for your money. For comparison: Tesla lists the Model Y at at least 44,990 euros, but offers significantly faster charging and a well-developed charging infrastructure.

(nie)