Now that the BEV market is saturated, could the Leapmotor C10 REEV version arrive to shake things up?
Stellantis are ready to introduce the Leapmotor C10 Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) to the UK market and that might mean potentially leveraging local assembly (CKD) incentives at the Gurun plant for regional sales. The move would complement the existing C10 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) variant, which currently retails at RM125,000.
The C10 REEV is specifically designed as the ideal choice for users who frequently drive long distances but still want the environmental benefits and electric driving experience. This system allows the REEV to provide the smooth, quiet, and responsive feel of an EV while offering the flexibility of a conventional engine for longer trips, with a theoretical combined range of over 965 km.
Cutting-Edge Range Extender Technology
At the heart of the C10 REEV is a sophisticated powertrain that operates primarily as an electric vehicle, with a rear-mounted 158 kW (215 hp) electric motor driving the wheels. Powering this motor is a 28.4 kWh battery, which offers an efficient all-electric range of 145 km.
When the battery charge drops, a highly efficient 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, located under the bonnet, functions solely as a generator. This generator is directly coupled to the engine, saving 8 kg of weight compared to rival range-extenders and achieving an industry-leading efficiency of 0.3 L/kWh. This design results in an impressive WLTP fuel efficiency figure of 706.2 mpg (or 0.4 L/100 km combined) and CO2 emissions of just 38 g/km.
Drivers can tailor the performance using multiple modes, including EV+ (prioritizes EV until SoC is below 9 per cent), Power+ (range extender is always on for maximum power), and Save (allows customization of the range extender starting point). The battery supports both AC home charging (full charge in 4.5 hours) and DC rapid charging (30 per cent to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes at 65 kW).
Price and Market Positioning
The introduction of the REEV variant will be strategically linked to Stellantis’s plans to assemble Leapmotor models at its Gurun, Kedah facility starting in late 2025. While this localization will provide important CKD incentives, the price structure for Range Extender vehicles is currently under discussion with the government regarding tax clarity.
The C10 BEV is currently priced at RM125,000. Given that the REEV version is available at a lower open market value in China (starting from ¥135,800, or approximately RM88,300), and considering the incentives granted by local assembly, the C10 REEV could potentially be priced sub-RM125,000, positioning it competitively in the burgeoning segment of highly efficient, long-range hybrid SUVs.
We’ll have to wait and see how aggressive Leapmotor’s expansion plans are – there are no REEVs currently on sale in Malaysia, mostly because the government hasn’t specifically incentivized this powertrain type.
