The Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor is best known in Europe for its low-cost models, marketed alongside Stellantis. But in its home market, the carmaker has revealed an ambitious new flagship SUV that pushes the brand into luxury territory. And not without making a mark.
The D19, a 5.2-meter-long electric SUV, features an onboard oxygen generator and can also be ordered with a range extender. In the latter case, it features the biggest battery of any EREV in the world.
Leapmotor presents the D19 both as a technological statement and a bid to rival premium EVs from the likes of Nio, BYD, and Tesla. Built on the brand’s new D-platform, the SUV is offered in two forms: a fully electric version with a 115 kWh battery, and a serial-hybrid ‘EREV’ (extended-range electric vehicle) that combines an 80.3 kWh (!) battery with a small gasoline engine acting as a generator.
Range of 720 kilometers
But also, the electric version doesn’t forget to impress. It produces a striking 540 kW – about 724 horsepower – and runs on a 1,000-Volt system designed for ultra-fast charging.
Leapmotor claims that 15 minutes at a high-power charger is enough to add roughly 350 kilometres of range, with total driving distance reaching 720 kilometers (on China’s optimistic WLTC testing cycle).
The EREV version uses an 800-Volt system and delivers 400 kW (or 545 hp). Its massive battery can provide 500 kilometers of zero-emission driving before its gasoline engine intervenes to sustain the charge.
Both powertrains use a new generation of batteries from CATL, China’s number one cell manufacturer. It combines lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) materials within a single cell.
The chemistry, branded ‘Freevoy Super Hybrid’, is designed to boost range and lifespan while cutting production costs, relying on the best of both worlds. Chinese carmaker Nio introduced a blend of NMC and LFP in 2021, but this was a mixed ratio at the pack level, rather than the cell level found in the D19.
Tech-savvy
Inside, the SUV showcases an array of features designed to appeal to China’s increasingly tech-savvy upper-middle class. Two Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chips – each capable of 1,280 trillion operations per second – run the infotainment and driver-assistance systems. Leapmotor says the setup enables faster processing of visual data for semi-autonomous driving and richer graphics on its digital displays.
But undoubtedly, the all-wheel driven D19’s most unusual addition is its onboard oxygen generator. This is a world first for a production vehicle. Why, you might wonder? Well, in China, drivers often want to visit high-altitude regions like the Himalaya.
Capable of producing up to eight liters of oxygen per minute, the system is aimed to provide passengers with the necessary comfort in those conditions. It shows how Chinese carmakers are tailoring their products to local tastes in search of innovations that set them apart.
Lidar sensor on the roof
Stylistically, the D19 marks a clean break from Leapmotor’s smaller models, such as the T03 and C10. The design, described by the company as “Technology Natural Aesthetics 2.0”, combines a minimalist profile with a lidar sensor mounted on the roof and a vast rear light bar capable of animated displays. Inside, the cabin offers six seats and a suite of digital amenities expected of a premium SUV.
While the technology might be luxurious, the company suggests a feasible target price of around 300,000 yuan (€36,000). Chances seem slim for the D19 to reach Europe. Stellantis is mainly focused on bringing the brand’s budget-friendly cars to the continent.
However, the D19 signals how Chinese carmakers are evolving, continuously differentiating themselves with technological bravado.
