MOTORING REVIEW: First Drive in Leapmotor C10 family SUV

The newest car brand in Ireland, Leapmotor, has put down a marker of its intention to be a big player in the Irish car market with the arrival of its first models — the T03 (Tzero3) urban car priced at under €19,000, and the more expensive C10 large family SUV. Both are claimed to deliver the best in their segment for standard specifications and technology. 

The C10 is a smart-looking five-seater family SUV with a smooth exterior design, slim LED headlights, and door handles that pop out when you unlock the car. My first drive car looked good, with a black exterior and a dark orange colour on the dashboard/door/seats, a vibrant colour that would take some getting used to. The fit and finish are good, and the car feels solidly built, with lots of space and comfort. The cabin floods with light from the full-length sunroof, another plus. I got a good driving position behind the large steering wheel, and all-around visibility was good even through the rear-view mirror, thanks to the big rear window. Seats are very comfy, and the front ones have power adjustments. 

There are no buttons on the dashboard, with all functions accessed through the huge 14.6-inch central infotainment screen. It has a row of virtual buttons for key features at the base of the screen. The separate 10.25-inch driver information cluster shows all relevant info, including your lane and nearby traffic. There's no blind spot indicator on the side mirrors. The big reversing camera offers a 3D dual view of the car, covering both the immediate area behind as well as an overhead view. 

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Storage areas are excellent with a cavernous space below the front armrest and a big open area with a power socket and USB points under the flat area of the central console. Other cubbies include large door bins and a decent glovebox. Rear passengers have good head and legroom, and the boot space of 435 litres can expand to a really useful 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded down. 

Trims are Style and Design; buyers can choose from five exterior colours. 

C10 is available as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a WLTP-rated range of 420km. The car combines a 69.9 kWh battery with a 215 bhp electric motor. A hybrid version gets a far smaller 28.4 kWh battery, with a claimed pure electric range of 170km and a 1.5 petrol generator that acts solely to keep the battery charged. The engine never drives the wheels. The hybrid combination gives a range of up to 975km which is a game-changer for those who regularly drive long journeys. DC charging from 30-80 per cent takes around 30 minutes. I discovered you lock the car by tapping the key fob on the small icon on the top of the driver’s wing mirror! 

The C10 has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. Leapmotor gives a six-year/unlimited mileage warranty across its line-up in Ireland, which will be expanded by the imminent arrival of two more models, the Leapmotor B10 mid-sized SUV due in November, and a new B05 family hatchback in 2026. Two more models will arrive by the end of 2027.

Gowan Auto is the national importer for Leapmotor vehicles. The four strategically located dealers already in the network are Joe Norris Motors (Navan), Dan Seaman Motors (Forge Hill, Co. Cork), Greenhall Motors (Buttevant, Co. Cork), and Kenny Galway (Tuam Road, Galway). Plans are afoot to raise this to 18 by the year-end. 

Leapmotor sold its first car in 2019 and celebrated its millionth unit off the production line earlier this month. It is the fastest-growing Chinese vehicle brand globally.

Prices are from €38,995-€45,420, the latter for the extended range version and include the SEAI grant and VRT rebate.