When Stellantis challenges Tesla with the Chinese Leapmotor C10

Stellantis (Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Opel…) already has a varied range of electric cars. Yet, the group has partnered with the Chinese company Leapmotor to bring its cars to our market, including the C10 SUV tested here.

Like the Tesla Model Y, Leapmotor offers opening via phone or with a keycard for the C10. Not wanting to set up the smartphone for a few days at the wheel of the SUV, I will therefore use the keycard. Not very practical, because it has to be placed on the left mirror to lock/unlock the car or open the electric tailgate. Before starting, it needs to be placed on the induction charger. To let the phone charge wirelessly in this space, the card must be put back in its pocket or elsewhere… All of this is quite complicated. But apparently, it’s progress like the dashboard, which consists of two screens and the steering wheel with very few “touch” buttons, in the Tesla way. So even to adjust the mirrors, you have to go through the central screen before using the steering wheel controls. Once settled in, I save my settings in a profile called "Voorkeur 4", "voorkeur" being a Dutch word meaning "preference" (Belgium).

In concert

Being accustomed to driving Chinese cars, I'm not surprised by the high level of driver assistance. The driving aids in the C10 are omnipresent. Omnipotent even. Incidentally, to help you understand, the "mother-in-law seat" used to be an external boot seat in old cars and horse-drawn carriages where the mother-in-law (for example) was at the mercy of the wind, far from the driver and thus sheltered from comments on their driving skills. Peace! In the Leapmotor, the queen mother is on the driver’s lap. "Move more to the right. No, more to the left. You’re going too fast. That’s not how you drive. But brake!" And her voice has the annoying high-pitched tone of the blaring beeps.

To cut all this out, you have to go to the ADAS menu on the central screen, via two sub-menus. Except that… Despite the Voorkeur profile, it forgets all preferences when restarting (Note: the ISA signage reader must be reactivated at each restart by legal obligation, not the other aids). In short, it rings, it complains, it ends up irritating and annoying, even when adhering to the Highway Code with an anticipative but participative driving style. What about those who don't care?

Effective, but…

Where China has no lessons to learn from anyone, not even from the mother-in-law, is in the energy efficiency of electric cars. The Leapmotor has a usable capacity of 69.9 kWh. This may seem low, but with an average consumption of 17.9 kWh/100km ranging between 14.5 kWh/100km and 20.1 kWh/100km depending on my routes, it's quite sufficient. The WLTP announces a range of 420km, but it's possible to do better on urban roads and at 70km/h. On the motorway, under a spring sun, it's easy to approach 300km between charges. The 218 hp (160 kW) motor drives the rear wheels with vigour and smoothness. Even in Eco driving mode, the SUV is lively and enthusiastic. Besides, it’s the first time I’ve kept an electric car in Eco mode almost all the time.

Well, it's time to charge the beast. And here, disappointment! The C10 doesn't have a DC charging power to match: 84 kW. It's almost ridiculous and even incomprehensible for a 4.74m car at ease on the motorway! Consequently, the break on long journeys will often exceed 45 minutes or more. It's far from the speed of Tesla, Škoda or Kia, for example ☹. And what about the 6.6 kW in AC for (really) slow charges at home.

Otherwise, it works well

To activate the cruise control, you have to use the transmission control to the right of the steering wheel, lowering it to D to regulate your progress. Strange, but not unheard of in the automotive world. As a driver well maintained in the seat, in a sober environment, the C10 is ultimately pleasant to handle. It exhibits rigidity above average by positioning the battery as an integral part of the structure with a "Cell To Chassis (CTC)" architecture, also called a skateboard platform, cheaper to develop and lighter. Furthermore, Stellantis has been called upon to work on the behaviour. By getting involved in the chassis, Alfa Romeo engineers have given real talent to the C10. It's comfortable and enjoyable, even on poor surfaces, without resorting to active damping. And that, I agree with!

No pairing

In a quasi-orange faux leather universe, the understated cabin doesn't prevent comfort. Especially in the back where passengers will have ample legroom. This is a common practice among the Chinese to ensure the comfort of those seated on the bench. A cocoon for an SUV with a well-crafted and visually pleasing design, though not revolutionary. The heat pump allows for air conditioning use without significantly impacting range. However, "made in China" doesn't yet support Android Auto and Apple Car Play. You'll have to rely on the built-in solutions, with Spotify and Deezer integrated into the in-house infotainment system. As for the boot, it depends on the position of the bench favouring leg comfort. Consequently, its capacity of 435 litres isn't a record in its category. For the cable, there's a small front boot, the infamous frunk. And when it's time to manoeuvre, the reversing camera indicates the remaining centimetres before a kiss with the wall, tree, or bumper.

Not a Surprise

Sheltered from Trump-era taxes, the Leapmotor C10 naturally has competitive prices on the European market. €37,400 for the Style trim and €38,900 for the Design trim of our model, in the Belgian market. Under €40,000 for the latter, you get an Musk-free SUV with all the equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 20-inch wheels, a sound system with 12 speakers, 5-star EuroNCAP... In France, the prices are similar: €36,400 for the less equipped Style (no heated and ventilated seats or electric tailgate for example and 18-inch wheels) and €37,900 for the Design model tested here. In Switzerland, it's 37,900 CHF for the C10 Design and 35,900 CHF for the C10 Style. In the UK the price on the market is 36.500 Pounds. Leapmotor benefits from a dense network thanks to Stellantis and a 4-year warranty on the car and an 8-year warranty on the battery. Let's say that if this SUV weren't too verbose with its ADAS aid systems, which I might call constraints, in driving and if it were quicker to charge at fast charging stations, it would be – setting aside the geopolitical questions regarding its origins – a must-have. And note that there's also a hybrid C10...

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source: Leapmotor – Pictures: © Olivier Duquesne & Leapmotor)