Leapmotor has thrown more battery, more power and faster charging at the C10 Design, and kept the price exactly where it was.
Leapmotor Australia has confirmed the MY26 update to its C10 Design Long Range BEV. The brand has swapped in an 81.9kWh battery, lifted output to 220kW and 360Nm, and added 800V architecture for faster charging. All of that for the same $49,888 MSRP the car has carried since launch.
That is a genuine jump from the current C10 Design BEV which runs a 69.9kWh battery, good for 160kW and 320Nm and a WLTP range of around 425km. The existing car’s outputs come from a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor powered by a 69.9kWh LFP battery. The MY26 LR version is a different proposition entirely and Leapmotor has not asked buyers to pay a cent more for it.
Range climbs past 600km on NEDC
The bigger battery is the headline change. Leapmotor is quoting up to 605km on the NEDC cycle, or 510km WLTP. That puts the C10 Design LR well clear of where the outgoing car sat and into territory that starts putting pressure on rivals running 70-75kWh packs in this segment.
WLTP is the number that matters for real-world comparison in this market. Leapmotor’s own fine print notes real-world figures will vary with driving style, route, weather, road conditions, vehicle condition and equipment. Standard disclaimer, but worth restating because long-range claims on Chinese EVs have a habit of getting taken at face value when they shouldn’t be.
800V architecture cuts charging to 22 minutes
The move to 800V high-voltage architecture is a significant improvement. Leapmotor is claiming up to 180kW DC fast charging, with a 30-80% top-up taking around 22 minutes. That is a substantial jump from the previous car’s 84kW peak DC rate which made for a leisurely 30-minute 30-80% charge by comparison.
800V platforms bring lighter cabling and lower losses at high charge rates, which is exactly what Leapmotor is pointing to here. Whether the C10 LR can actually sustain 180kW for a meaningful stretch of that charge curve, rather than just hitting it as a brief peak, is the kind of detail that only shows up once independent testing gets hold of one.
Power and torque both step up
Output rises to 220kW and 360Nm, up from 160kW/320Nm on the outgoing Design BEV. Leapmotor is claiming 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds, a meaningful improvement on the previous car’s 7.5-second figure. Leapmotor lists a top speed of 170km/h for both the REEV and BEV versions of the current C10. No word yet on whether that ceiling shifts for the LR.
The brand is also pointing to improved high-speed efficiency from the upgraded motor and higher-power regenerative braking, which should help claw back some real-world range on the open road rather than just looking good on a NEDC sticker.
Small but sensible spec updates
Two changes round out the MY26 update. NFC keycards are now standard at two units, addressing one of the more commonly raised gripes with Leapmotor’s existing fob-free entry system. The Tyre Inflation Kit also picks up a sealant cannister, useful given there is still no physical spare on offer.
Tyres get a genuine upgrade too with Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV rubber now fitted as standard. That is a tyre built specifically for EV characteristics, higher load ratings and quieter rolling resistance, rather than a passenger tyre pressed into service on a heavier electric platform.
The new Leapmotor C10 will be available in 5 Colour Options (Photos: Leapmotor Australia)
Interior and colour options expand
Interior trim is offered in camel brown or black, both finished in synthetic leather with the C10’s familiar 14.6-inch central display and digital instrument cluster. Exterior colours run to Terra Grey, Metallic Black, Jade Green and Midnight Grey, with Light White added as a new option for MY26.
| Spec | 2026 C10 Design LR BEV |
|---|---|
| Price | $49,888 MSRP* |
| Power/Torque | 220kW / 360Nm |
| EV Range (WLTP) | 510km |
| Combined Range (WLTP) | N/A |
| Battery | 81.9kWh |
| Standard Inclusions | 20-inch alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, dual-zone climate, heated/ventilated front seats, 14.6-inch multimedia display, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Yokohama ADVAN Sport EV tyres, 2x NFC keycards |
| 0-100km/h | 6.2 seconds |
| DC Fast Charging | Up to 180kW, 30-80% in approx. 22 minutes |
The MY26 C10 Design LR BEV is the only variant covered in this update, so there is no broader pricing comparison to draw across the range yet.
Available in Australia from MY26
Leapmotor Australia has confirmed availability from MY26, with the C10 Design LR BEV holding its $49,888 MSRP position. For a brand that arrived in this market barely a year ago, holding price while delivering a near 100km range increase and a roughly 30% faster charge time is a strong way to keep the C10 relevant against a segment that keeps getting more crowded by the month.
