Leapmotor D99 detailed: Posh electric people-mover rivals the Zeekr 009 and Lexus LM with big range, high-tech cabin
Fresh details of the new Leapmotor D99 have surfaced following its unveiling at the recent Macao Motor Show, revealing that it will come with the car-maker’s most advanced in-car tech yet.
Created to cash in on China’s demand for luxury people movers, the Leapmotor D99 is set to go on sale from next month, but no announcement has yet been made on whether it will be exported.
Based on the same LEAP 4.0 architecture as the D19 large SUV, the new minivan also shares the same three-segment daytime running lights and split headlamp design.
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Available with either extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) or pure-electric power, the EREV comes with 800-volt electrics and a large 80.3kWh battery pack, delivering a generous 352km EV range on the lenient CLTC Chinese test cycle. Total range increases to 1200km once the generator kicks in.
Employing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine as a generator, the D99 gains a 100kW e-motor that drives the front wheels and dual, larger 200kW e-motors that power the rear wheels.
Combined, the D99 produces a healthy 495kW.
The all-electric D99 features Leapmotor’s flagship 1000-volt electrical architecture for ultra-fast charging, paired with a 115kWh battery.
In China, the EV features triple motors and all-wheel drive, with the front-axle motor producing 180kW, while at the rear there are a further two 180kW motors. Together, the EV produces 540kW and combines that peak power output with a 700km range (CLTC).
Inside, the D99 features a seven-seat layout in a 2+2+3 configuration, including a pair of the firm’s ‘zero-gravity’ seats that can swivel 90 or 180 degrees.
The front seats fully recline and connect with the second row, while the second and third rows can be converted into a flat bed or lounge space. Back up to your favourite waterhole and the third row morphs into fishing seats.
Above is a tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof that incorporates a star-ring ambient lighting system. The glass roof is said to be suitable for Australia because it can reflect 99.9 per cent of harmful UV rays.
Claimed to be the first vehicle fitted with an integrated cockpit-driving central domain controller, the D99 comes with dual Snapdragon 8797 chips providing huge processing power (1280 TOPS), although the large infotainment screen, digital instrument cluster and head-up display all look relatively conventional.
In China, Leapmotor sold an incredible 71,387 vehicles in April alone – a 73.9 per cent year-on-year increase – making it the country’s sixth best-selling brand. However, BYD delivered a dizzying 314,100 vehicles during the same month, suggesting Leapmotor still has a long way to go before catching the market leaders.
While its sister model, the D19 large SUV, is expected to touch down here within 12 months, there has been no mention of the D99 minivan.
