The Leapmotor C10 may have only recently entered Australian dealerships, arriving just six months ago, but a significantly enhanced version is already generating buzz and could be heading Down Under before the year is out. The new 2026 battery electric vehicle (BEV) version of the C10 was unveiled overseas last month, and it brings a series of performance and efficiency improvements that mark a notable step forward for the mid-size electric SUV.
Among the headline upgrades, the most striking is the power boost. The updated C10 BEV increases its output from 170kW to a more robust 220kW. Additionally, the battery capacity has been expanded, growing from 69.9kWh to 74.9kWh. As a result of these enhancements, the new model slashes its 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time from 7.5 seconds down to just 5.9 seconds, offering a sportier and more responsive drive. Equally important for consumers, the driving range has been increased by around 14 percent. This equates to an approximate gain of 60 kilometers, bringing the total range up to around 480 kilometers under the WLTP standard.
However, it remains uncertain whether Australian customers will receive the same version as the one confirmed for the Chinese market. The Australian-spec C10 currently has a rear electric motor output of 160kW, slightly less than the international variant. This discrepancy raises questions about whether the upgraded powertrain will be standardized globally or tailored for specific markets. At a recent event introducing the C10 Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV), Leapmotor Australia CEO Andy Hoang refrained from confirming if the upgraded BEV model would be coming to Australia. “We haven’t confirmed our product plans on that yet,” Hoang told the press, though he affirmed that the C10 nameplate will remain part of the brand's offerings for the foreseeable future.
Notably, while the BEV model benefits from the more powerful motor and larger battery, these upgrades do not extend to the REEV variant. That version continues to use a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 158kW electric motor and a 28.5kWh battery. Additional updates exclusive to the upgraded BEV include an improved infotainment processor—now featuring the advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon ‘8295P’ chip—auto-presenting door handles, and a 50-watt wireless smartphone charger. Should this higher-performance C10 BEV arrive in Australia, it’s likely that the starting price, currently set at $45,888 before on-road costs, will also see an increase to reflect the added value and technology.