By Malusi Msomi

We recently headed down to Cape Town for the local launch of the Leapmotor C10 REEV. The weather may have been icy, but the C10 brought enough intrigue to warm things up. It enters the market as a range extended electric SUV that blends EV driving with petrol powered backup, offering a more flexible path into electric mobility.

Exterior

Visually, the C10 keeps things neat and modern. The front end is grille free with slim LED headlights and a clean, straightforward look. At the rear, a full width LED strip gives it a premium touch. Two grades are available, Style and Design. The Style runs on 18 inch wheels while the Design steps up to 20s. From certain angles, the rear even channels a bit of Porsche Cayenne energy. Once you notice it, you cannot unsee it.

Interior

Inside, the minimalist theme continues. A large 14.6 inch 2K touchscreen dominates the dashboard, joined by a wireless charging pad and plenty of storage space. Interior colour choices include Black, Camel Brown and Violet. Space is one of the standout qualities, with generous legroom and a claimed 400 litre boot that expands to more than 1 400 litres when the rear seats are folded.

The only frustration comes from the infotainment system. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto yet. Screen mirroring is available but feels a bit temperamental. Leapmotor says proper smartphone integration is coming soon.

Powertrain

The C10 is powered by a 158 kW electric motor delivering 320 Nm of torque, paired with a 28.4 kWh battery. The 1.5 litre petrol engine does not drive the wheels. It functions only as a generator when the battery needs support. Leapmotor claims up to 145 km of pure electric driving and as much as 970 km in total when the generator steps in.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the C10 feels smooth and properly electric when the battery is full. Once the charge drops, the generator takes over and the experience becomes less seamless. The concept is interesting, but it is something we will need to test over a longer period to understand how it fits into daily use.

Pricing

• C10 REEV Style – R759 900

• C10 REEV Design – R799 900