At the media Q&A session today after the inauguration of its CKD project, Stellantis Malaysia revealed that it is planning to introduce more Leapmotor models in Malaysia soon, including the B10 and C10 Range Extender variant.
The company did not divulge much information on the new models, but did hint at the possibility of the models being locally assembled at the Stellantis Gurun plant in Kedah, as it aims to make it the production hub of the ASEAN region.
The Leapmotor B10 will lead the charge for the brand’s expansion in Malaysia, and is expected to be revealed sometime this year. More time could be needed for the C10 Range Extender’s introduction in Malaysia, though, as the company is still in discussions with the government for clarity regarding the tax structures for range extender electric vehicles (REEV), noted Stellantis ASEAN Managing Director, Isaac Yeo.
The Leapmotor B10 is the marque’s first model designed specifically for the global markets. Designed as a compact C-segment SUV model, the B10 will be an important step as the brand attempts to grow its footprint worldwide, particularly in Europe.
While it shares many design elements with its elder sibling, the Leapmotor B10 is actually built on a newer LEAP3.5 platform, which enables more technologically advanced features such as a LiDAR-powered advanced driver assistance features.
In its home country of China, the Leapmotor B10 is offered with two different powertrain configurations, albeit both being single-motor driven. The lower-end variant features a motor on the rear axle making 179 hp (132 kW), which translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.3 seconds.
Hopping up to the Long Range variant nets you a more powerful motor with 214 hp (160 kW) and 240 Nm, which shortens the century sprint time down to 6.8 seconds. The Long Range, as its name suggests, also gets a bigger 67.1 kWh battery pack with a CLTC-rated 600 km of EV range.
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As for the Leapmotor C10 Range Extender, it essentially swaps the large 69.9 kWh battery pack on the regular battery electric vehicle (BEV) C10, for a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, plus a smaller 28 kWh battery. Together with its fuel tank, the Leapmotor C10 Range Extender boasts a total range of 950 km (WLTP).
As a REEV, the engine here functions solely as a generator to supply electric power to the battery and motors. As such, the model’s outputs remain the same as the Long Range variant at 214 hp and 240 Nm, with the electric motor on the rear axle supplying the drive.
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