Leapmotor begins sales in China of its new family SUV, the C16

Leapmotor has just launched in the Chinese market a new family SUV from the brand with three rows of seats, under the name C16. This model is available in two versions: one fully electric and another also electric but with extended range.

Across its entire range, the Leapmotor C16 uses a single electric motor on the rear axle. In the fully electric variant, the motor delivers 215 kW and 360 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.37 seconds. This motor is powered by a 67.7 kWh LFP battery pack, which can be charged from 30 to 80 percent of its capacity in approximately six hours with an AC charger and in around 15 minutes with a DC charger. With a full charge, this new electric SUV from Leapmotor has a range of 520 km under the rather optimistic Chinese CLTC homologation cycle.

In the extended-range version, the C16 uses a lower-power electric motor with 170 kW and 320 Nm of torque, adding a 1.5-litre combustion engine together with a 50-litre fuel tank. This model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.46 seconds. The LFP battery pack in this case is 28.4 kWh, and it can be charged from 30 to 80 percent in approximately three hours using an AC wallbox. If, on the other hand, a DC fast-charging point is used, this same operation can be completed in around 30 minutes. Range in fully electric mode is 200 km, and the combined range reaches 1,095 km, also under the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle.

Dimensions and weight on the scales

The Leapmotor C16 measures 4,915 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width and 1,770 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,825 mm. This generously proportioned SUV has six seats and a boot capacity that ranges from 209 to 1,022 litres in both versions, depending on whether the seats are folded or not. Its weight is 2,095 kg for the extended-range version and 2,065 kg for the fully electric version.

Among the highlights of the Leapmotor C16 are its distinctive front and rear light clusters, the 21-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard, the flush-fitting door handles, a power tailgate with memory function, and a LiDAR sensor mounted on the roof. Inside, the 10.25-inch driver’s instrument cluster, the 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the facial recognition system and the availability of a 15.6-inch foldable entertainment screen in the roof stand out.

The first- and second-row seats offer electric adjustment, heating and ventilation. In addition, the driver’s seat features a memory function, while second-row passengers can use a folding table from the backs of the front seats and recline their seats up to 145 degrees. In the third row, passengers can adjust the backrests by up to 10 degrees and have access to two USB ports.

The price of the fully electric version of the Leapmotor C16 ranges from 161,800 to 185,800 yuan, which in euros works out to between 20,696 and 23,766. Meanwhile, the extended-range version is on sale from 155,800 to 179,800 yuan, which at the current exchange rate comes to between 19,929 and 22,999 euros.

Stellantis and Leapmotor recently created the joint venture Leapmotor International, with the aim of marketing the electric vehicles of the Chinese manufacturer in Europe, India, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and South America. This alliance will begin operations in Europe in September, launching the Leapmotor T03 and Leapmotor C10 as its first products in the region. For the moment, it is still unknown whether the Leapmotor C16 will also be sold in other global markets.