2025 Leapmotor C10 PHEV: BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander rival confirmed for Europe, Australia unclear
01/06/2025 03:00 PM
A 'range-extender' plug-in hybrid version of the currently electric-only Leapmotor C10 mid-size SUV has been announced for sale in Europe.
Electric car manufacturer Leapmotor has announced it will sell a range-extender plug-in hybrid vehicle in Europe for the first time.
The 2025 Leapmotor C10 mid-size SUV – which arrived in Australia as an electric-only model two months ago – will become available in Europe with the technology later this year.
Available in China since the C10 launched in 2024, the range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) is similar to a plug-in hybrid, but the internal combustion engine does not ever directly power the wheels.
It is the first time Leapmotor has offered a hybrid vehicle outside of China, after the brand’s international launch in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific and South America in late 2024 with battery-electric vehicles only.
Stellantis Australia – responsible for the local management of Leapmotor, alongside Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo – has not confirmed if the C10 will become available in range-extender plug-in hybrid form to join the recently-launched electric model.
The rear-wheel-drive C10 REEV combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine acting as a generator with the same 160kW electric motor as the full-electric version.
It has a 28.4kWh battery pack – down from 69.9kWh in the fully-electric model – for a 145-kilometre electric-only driving range under the European WLTP lab-test standard.
MORE: 2024 Leapmotor C10 review – Quick drive (EV)
The total combined range is said to be more than 950 kilometres, with a WLTP-rated fuel consumption of 0.4L/100km and CO2 emissions of 10g/km.
Direct-current (DC) fast charging in the C10 REEV has been limited to 65kW – down from 84kW in the electric model – but it is still higher than the DC charge speeds of other plug-in hybrid models.
For example, a BYD Sealion 6 has an 18kW DC limit with a CCS Type 2 plug, while a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is restricted to around 20kWh with a CHAdeMO plug.
The brand claims the Leapmotor C10 REEV will recuperate "half of its electric range" in approximately 18 minutes on a 65kW DC fast charger.
MORE: 2025 Leapmotor C10 price and specs (EV) –$10,000 cheaper than a Model Y
Leapmotor currently offers two vehicles globally – the T03 city hatch and C10 mid-size SUV – with the B10 small SUV revealed in October due to launch this year, followed by additional models.
The Leapmotor C10 EV is available in two variants in Australia, both with a 69.9kWh battery and a 160kW rear electric motor, priced from $45,888 before on-road costs.
Global automotive conglomerate Stellantis holds a 51 per cent stake in Leapmotor's international operation under a joint-venture with the Chinese firm.
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