Should LandCruiser lookout? Leapmotor D19 targets “crazy champions” with desert-ready 400kW electric 4×4

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Andrew Chesterton 9621 Views 0 Comments D19, Leapmotor, Leapmotor D19

Chinese brand Leapmotor says it will eventually target the “crazy champions” of the off-road 4WD space – the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol – with its new D19 Large SUV, which promises to be a “desert-ready” 4×4.

Revealed in China last month, the D19 is available in full electric and range-extender forms, but it will be the latter that’s likely of the most interest to Australia’s off-road crowd, given the back-up of a petrol engine when far off the beaten track.

The Stellantis-backed Chinese brand (it’s a near 50:50 partnership outside of China) says the D19 is the latest step in its global push, with promises of serious performance on- and off-road.

Aiding both will be the model’s REEV (range-extender electric vehicle) powertrain, which sees a small petrol engine act as a generator to feed an 80.3kWh battery and twin electric motors which produce a combined 400kW.

An 800-volt architecture allows for rapid DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent in about 15 minutes on the fastest chargers.

The electric version is more powerful again, with dual-motors producing 540kW of power, and which combine with a large 115kWh battery pack that’s said to provide a range of 720km on the Chinese CLTC test cycle.

“The D19 is an E (large) SUV, so Toyota LandCruiser-like or Nissan Patrol-like,” said Francesco Giacalone, Leapmotor’s international product, marketing and communication chief.

“It’s on architecture 3.5 with very advanced hybrid technology, based on a range-extender that has been even further evolved for that flagship.

“The intention is to have a full-size SUV, four-wheel drive, desert-ready.”

At more than 5.2 metres long, nearly two metres wide and riding on a wheelbase of just over 3.1 metres, the D19 is bigger than a LandCruiser 300 Series.

On the quirkier side, the D19 includes a built-in oxygen generator capable of delivering up to eight litres per minute. It feels like a marketing gimmick, but is apparently aimed at buyers heading for high-altitude adventures.

The images we’ve seen so far of the D19 show what appears to be a more road-focused vehicle, but Giacalone’s “desert-ready” comment suggests there is more to come, with a more off-road-focussed version expected.

“Before attacking historically present brands, we need to prove we can compete with the key Chinese players — and then consumers will judge whether we’re ready to be an alternative to those crazy champions,” he said.

An Australian launch isn’t locked in, but the brand says the D19 is ready for export. It is expected to be offered in six-, seven and eight-seat configurations, with an on-sale date in China in H1 next year.

“We need to discuss with the markets. If there is appetite, of course the car is ready,” Giacalone said.

Leapmotor currently sells the C10 BEV and REEV mid-size SUV and will soon add the B10 compact SUV and B05 small car here.

Andrew Chesterton

Andrew began his career as a journalist at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, before he was lured into the fast-paced world of supercars at TopGear Australia. He has also held senior roles at The Daily Mail, which involved spending time at HQ in London, and on the other side of the automotive divide with FCA Australia. As one of Australia's best-read freelance writers, Andrew now contributes to Robb Report, Wish in The Australian, Domain in The Australian Financial Review, CarsGuide, Wheels, The West Australian, GQ, Men's Health and more. His love for writing has carried him around the world and back again, writing for clients in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA. He secretly enjoys it so much he’d probably do it for free, but he hopes his editors never find out that bit...