Leapmotor has launched an all-wheel-drive version of the C10 SUV in Australia with 590 hp (440 kW) and 561 lb-ft (760 Nm) from a twin-motor setup. The price: AU$53,888 (roughly $37,600), which is less than a base rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y in the same market.
The standard C10 makes do with a single 215 hp (160 kW) motor. The AWD Sports+ Special Edition nearly triples that output. Leapmotor claims a 4.0-second sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph), which, given the power-to-weight ratio implied by an 81.9 kWh LFP battery pack, seems conservative. For context, the original Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 produced 602 hp and 413 lb-ft. The C10 matches it on torque and falls just 12 hp short on power.
⚡ 800-Volt Architecture, Modest Charging Speed
The larger battery brings WLTP range up to 272 miles (437 km), a reasonable figure for an LFP pack of this capacity. The 800-volt architecture is there, but DC charging tops out at 180 kW, which Leapmotor says delivers a 30-80% fill in 22 minutes. That's slower than segment rivals running similar voltage platforms. The BYD Sealion 7, for example, charges faster on its 800V setup despite a comparable battery size.
Price Positioning That's Hard to Ignore
The AU$53,888 starting price puts the C10 AWD in a category of its own. The BYD Sealion 7 Performance starts at AU$63,990. A rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y costs AU$58,900. The Zeekr 7X sits at AU$57,600. None of those match the Leapmotor on power output.
The gap between the standard C10 and this AWD variant is just AU$10,000 ($7,000) for an additional 375 hp. At roughly AU$27 per extra horsepower, the value proposition is almost comically aggressive.
One open question: Leapmotor hasn't confirmed any suspension or brake upgrades to handle the additional power. Nearly tripling the output without mentioning chassis reinforcement is either an oversight in the press materials or a genuine concern. The Stellantis-backed brand sells the C10 in Europe through a joint venture, but this high-output variant is Australia-only for now.
