Australia’s only range extender! 1150km-claim Leapmotor C10 Ultra Hybrid arrives to challenge BYD Sealion 6 and Jaecoo J7 PHEVs

June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 Iain Curry 692 Views 0 Comments Leapmotor C10, leapmotor c10 reev, leapmotor phev, leapmotor range extender

Leapmotor’s range-extender C10 “Ultra Hybrid” has landed in Australia boasting 170km pure electric range and 1150km combined range on the (optimistic) NEDC cycle.

This medium SUV REEV (Range Extender Electric Vehicle) starts from $45,900 drive-away, and is visually identical to the full electric Leapmotor C10 launched here six months ago.

It’s hoped the new plug-in will boost Australian sales for the newly-minted Chinese brand, which currently sells only one model here.

The REEV’s 28.4kWh battery is charged through plugging in or by using its 1.5-litre petrol engine, but only the electric motor turns the SUV’s rear wheels. The combustion four-cylinder’s only there to recharge the battery when required.

Leapmotor Australia’s senior product manager, Rick Crichton, told Australian media he expected this range extender C10 to outsell its EV stablemate, despite the full electric costing only $2000 more.

That’s due to mighty demand for anything hybrid, especially in the popular family-sized medium SUV segment. Meanwhile, 2025’s EV sales and electric car scepticism in general are best described as rocky.

Crichton was quick to push the benefits of the range extender model, which he says offers the same EV drive experience while removing range anxiety. Bonuses include reduced electric charging time due to the smaller battery, while topping up with petrol takes even less time.

“Effectively, a range extender is a fuel-based auxiliary power unit that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle by driving an electric generator that charges the vehicle’s battery,” Crichton explained.

It is the only range extender vehicle currently on our market, although we’ve seen such tech before in the long discontinued Holden Volt and BMW i3 REX.

James Cox with his 2015 BMW i3 REX — The much-missed BMW i3 REX (2015 model shown) was the last range extender on the Aussie market

It also differs to Nissan’s e-Power system (seen on the X-Trail and Qashqai) as these cannot be plugged in; the combustion engine is the sole source recharging the battery there.

Key, on paper at least, is the REEV having over twice the range of a C10 BEV. This must be carefully caveated with Leapmotor only providing NEDC figures, which are notoriously over-generous.

“Its range completely smashed people’s concepts of what an electric vehicle is capable of,” Crichton said.

2025 Leapmotor C10 Design EV — 2025 Leapmotor C10 Design

Here are the key differences between the Leapmotor C10 BEV and the C10 REEV Ultra Hybrid:

BEV: 69.9kWh battery

REEV: 28.4kWh battery plus 1.5L 4cyl petrol engine

BEV: 480km range (NEDC)

REEV: 170km electric range (NEDC) / 1150km total range (NEDC)

BEV: 160kW/320Nm RWD

REEV: 158kW/320Nm RWD

BEV: 11kW Onboard charger

REEV: 6.6kW Onboard charger

BEV: 30-80% DC fast charging in approx. 30 mins

REEV: 30-80% DC fast charging in approx. 18 mins

BEV: 30-80% AC charging in approx. 4 hours

REEV: 30-80% AC charging in approx. 3 hours

For full specification details for both the $45,900 drive-away C10 Style REEV and $49,900 drive-away C10 Design REEV, follow this link.

Headlines include Maserati-tuned suspension (a benefit of being under Stellantis’ umbrella), panoramic glass roof, 14.6-inch infotainment, digital driver display, Wifi, wireless phone charging, remote app control and, for the range topper, silicone leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting and very cool LED rear light bar.

A criticism from our test of the C10 EV was no Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto; a deal breaker for some. A Leapmotor spokeswoman said there was no forthcoming over-the-air (OTA) update to bring them, but “we will have some phone mirroring option in our August OTA,” she said.

The C10 REEV’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) ability was also referenced in the car’s reveal, but like the EV, and quite confoundingly, Leapmotor doesn’t provide nor sell an adapter to make it work.

“Compatible aftermarket adapters are available,” said the spokeswoman, which is a big positive, but it’s curious Leapmotor hasn’t come to market with a factory-backed one.

Of note, an updated 2026 Leapmotor C10 was unveiled last month, bringing more power, fresh electrics and enhanced technology, including a more powerful 800-volt electrical system.

2025 Leapmotor C10 REEV. — 2025 Leapmotor C10 REEV

We’re told this is under consideration for Australia, although this just-released C10 REEV range-extender will carry over unchanged.

The brand will hope for a serious sales uptick with the REEV’s arrival.

To the end of May 2025, only 249 Leapmotor C10 EVs have been sold. The rivalling (and pricier) Tesla Model Y shifted 3580 units in the month of May alone.

Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.