Leapmotor's luxury electric SUV bets on power (a lot of power), autonomy and technology to rival in the premium segment
After a decade of operation and more than 1 million cars produced, Leapmotor expands its global lineup with a focus on different market segments. The Chinese brand, which has a partnership with Stellantis, already has six models in its portfolio, covering everything from entry-level vehicles to high-end luxury options.
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At the top of this strategy is the Leapmotor D19, a large electric SUV that targets the premium segment. The model draws attention for its robust size and design inspired by luxury utility vehicles, with emphasis on the 21-inch wheels with a closed design and the body with two-tone paint. Brushed steel elements reinforce the vehicle’s sophisticated proposal. It is impossible not to remember the Rolls-Royce Cullinan when you come across it, even if it still lacks a high dose of aristocracy in the body of work.
Inside, the D19 bets on a refined finish and configuration with six individual seats, prioritizing the comfort of the occupants. The SUV goes beyond the traditional items of the segment, such as leather seats, electric adjustments and massage function, incorporating solutions aimed at the on-board experience.
Among the technological highlights is the multimedia system with a 17.3-inch screen, accompanied by a 21.4-inch rear monitor with 3K resolution, aimed at passengers in the second and third rows. The sound system has 23 speakers and a 7.1 configuration, reinforcing the premium entertainment proposal.
The package also includes advanced driving assistance features (ADAS level 2) and a head-up display with a 60-inch equivalent projection, which displays information directly on the windshield, reducing the need for interaction with the dashboard.
In the rear seat, the right seat in the second row offers a zero-gravity function, a technology that seeks to increase comfort on long trips by better distributing the weight of the body.
The Leapmotor D19 is offered with 100% electric powertrain options and also in an extended-range hybrid version. The most powerful configuration delivers up to 724 hp, positioning the SUV among the most powerful models linked to the Stellantis group, with performance comparable to high-displacement sports cars.
The electric set uses 115 kWh batteries, with an estimated range of up to 500 km in the Chinese cycle. The hybrid version, on the other hand, combines a combustion engine with an electric system, reaching around 550 hp and a total range of up to 720 km, with 80.3 kWh batteries.
In dimensions, the D19 reinforces its large SUV proposal: it is 5.25 meters long and has a wheelbase of 3.11 meters, measures that guarantee ample interior space and the ability to accommodate the electrical components under the floor.
Despite Leapmotor’s progress in the development of luxury electric vehicles, the D19 has a low probability of arriving in Brazil. The premium electric segment still has limited demand in the country, a scenario that also impacts traditional European brands.
Even so, the model works as a showcase, evidencing the Chinese manufacturer’s ability to develop large electric SUVs. Resources that can be applied tomorrow in the group’s designer SUVs such as Jeep, Alfa Romeo or Maserati.
