The Chinese Leapmotor accelerates entry into the European market following a giant deal with Stellantis, and we will receive additional mass-market electric models.
In September, the C10 will land in Israel, the manufacturer's new crossover, positioned at the center of the electric vehicle market for families, with a promise of competitive pricing and direct competition with the BYD eT10, the popular vehicle in Israel.
With a length of 4.74 meters, a width of 1.9 meters, a height of 1.68 meters, and a wheelbase of 2.825 meters, this is a larger vehicle than the eT10. The engine has a power of 231 horsepower and a torque of 32 kg/m.
There is a choice between two battery sizes: 52.9 kWh with an estimated range in European regulations of 310 km, and 69.9 kWh with a parallel range of 410 km. Performance? 7.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a maximum speed of 170 km/h. There is also a long-range plug-in version, with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, a 28 kWh battery, and an estimated range in European regulations of 155 km.
In the driver's environment, there is a 14.6-inch multimedia screen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, almost without physical buttons. The front seats can recline fully backward to create a bed with a length of 2.7 meters.
The C10 offers the familiar variety of active safety systems, such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. At the high finish level, there is also a LiDAR sensor and assurance for level 3 automated driving capability (out of 5), so under certain conditions, the driver can remove hands from the steering wheel and gaze from the road, but in Israel, it has not yet been approved for use by the Transportation Ministry.
In China, the prices of the C10 are similar to those of the Atu 3, which starts at NIS 168,500 in the country, but has not been updated to include the effects of the increase in purchase tax at the beginning of the year. In Israel, its price may start at around NIS 160,000.Meanwhile, in Israel, the T03 decreased in September following a minor facelift, mainly to meet full European regulations, and without the limitation of the quantity of 400 units per year imposed on it now. As part of the regulation, the electric minis will receive active safety systems that are currently missing, putting it in a competitive position against the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, and Toyota Aygo with gasoline engines. The T03 now costs NIS 100,000.
In the third quarter, Fiat is expected to start assembling T03 models in its plant in Poland, which will be half-composed in China, as the first implementation of the deal in which Stellantis invested $1.6B in Leapmotor, in exchange for 20% of the company's shares. Metro Motor will continue to market its company's models in the country.