Can LEAPMOTOR Only Manufacture Ordinary Cars for the Mass Market?
During the decade-anniversary event yesterday, LEAPMOTOR provided a clear response with two flagship models from the D Series — the D19 and D99: They are no longer following, but are prepared to “lead.”
The D19, despite its official launch being scheduled for next April, unveiled its product definition and core configurations last night, drawing a basic outline of its future position in the family market — awaiting its price announcement.
Moreover, the D99 MPV model from the D Series made its debut, showcasing LEAPMOTOR’s capabilities in larger dimensions and higher specifications.
Thus, the D Series has formally completed its dual flagship layout.
After a decade in automotive manufacturing, LEAPMOTOR has evolved to a new stage. Zhu Jiangming stated at the event that the company’s target for the next decade is to become a world-class intelligent electric vehicle enterprise, with an annual sales volume reaching 4 million units.
Can these two flagship products support LEAPMOTOR’s ambition to ascend?
LEAPMOTOR’s Vision for a 300,000-Level Flagship SUV
As the first model of the D Series to hit the market, the D19 signifies LEAPMOTOR’s entry into the full-size flagship SUV competition in the 300,000-level segment.
Its product definition is very clear: not to pursue premium pricing, but to bring space, comfort, and configurations from higher price ranges into a mainstream segment centered on family users.
The vehicle dimensions are 5,252 × 1,995 × 1,780 mm, with a wheelbase of 3,110 mm, offering 2+2+2 and 2+3+2 seating layouts, targeting the needs of larger families and groups traveling together. It is available in five exterior colors: Pine Green, Optoelectric White, Liquid Silver, Canopy Gray, and Metallic Black, along with three interior colors: Misty Gray, Danyan Brown, and Misty Rain Gray.
In terms of exterior design, the D19 emphasizes a sense of stability. The most striking detail on the side is the zero-clearance flush design side window, with an investment of over 20 million yuan, according to the official statement.
The purpose of this design is not merely visual gimmickry but to minimize the sense of fragmentation in the side structure typical of large-size SUVs while reducing wind noise and enhancing tranquility. Combined with low-saturation colors like Pine Green and Liquid Silver, the overall appearance is highly appealing.
The D19 places significant emphasis on its lighting system, with its million-pixel DLP projection headlights playing roles far beyond mere illumination. They integrate into more specific scenarios: including light curtain projection for narrow pathways, dynamic pedestrian courtesy signals, ground projection during parking and welcome sequences, and providing projection for outdoor camping and karaoke functions.Such feature design in nighttime driving, narrow roads, and family travel scenarios provides more intuitive, predictable assistance, delivering a more comprehensive entertainment experience.
The pragmatic yet experiential approach is also reflected in the interior space planning of the D19. An 88% space utilization ensures practicality across all three rows.
Upon entering the cabin, the D19’s interior doesn’t follow a distinct tech-savvy or minimalist route, but rather opts for a treatment akin to a living space.
25 square meters of soft wrapping covers the main contact areas of the first, second, and third rows, with tactile and material consistency prioritized. The vehicle extensively uses imported full-grain top-layer calfskin, adopting semi-aniline, chromium-free tanning technology. Leapmotor’s Vice President, Cao Li, stated at the launch event that the calfskin used in Leapmotor D19 is sourced from the same supplier as for the Zunjie S800.
The second row is designed as the core area for the vehicle’s comfort experience, supporting a 120° zero-gravity recline, four-way electric leg support, and ABTS integrated safety belt, providing a somewhat floating experience for second-row passengers.
The third row also supports 131° infinite electric adjustment and is equipped with dual armrests, avoiding the embarrassing positioning of the third row in an MPV as merely an emergency option.
Additionally, all six seats of the D19 support heating functions, while the first two rows offer suction-type ventilation and ten-point massage. The suction-type approach avoids the discomfort of cold air directly hitting the skin, making it more suitable for lengthy family rides. Both the second and third rows come with sunshades, blocking out more than 90% of light.
Beyond comfort features, the D19 includes some functionality-oriented designs. For example, the vehicle-grade Senya oxygen cabin system provides an oxygen flow of up to 8L/min, mainly targeting high-altitude or prolonged driving fatigue scenarios. The 23-speaker audio system comes standard with a driver-headrest speaker, ensuring full vehicle sound while also maintaining driver privacy. These configurations can cater to more marginal needs in diverse travel scenarios for family users.
Fundamental Capabilities a Flagship Should Have
Leapmotor addresses how a family can sit comfortably and enjoy themselves through product definition and space design, while in terms of power, chassis, and intelligence, Leapmotor aims to answer another more practical question: Is such a full-size flagship SUV sufficient for everyday use?
Starting with range, the D19 offers both all-electric and extended-range power forms. The highlight of the extended-range version is the large 80.3 kWh battery, with a CLTC all-electric range reaching 500 km, equivalent to many pure electric vehicles’ range levels.
Structurally, LEAPMOTOR applies the CTC battery-chassis integration technology to the extended-range models, reducing redundant structures and creating space for chassis layout and energy efficiency. Paired with an 800 V high-voltage platform, charging from 30% to 80% takes about 16 minutes.
The D19 extended range version adopts a “drive generation integrated machine” four-wheel-drive extended range scheme, which highly integrates generation and drive. This reduces system complexity while providing more linear power output, balancing robust power and driving experience.
The D19 pure electric version has a maximum battery capacity of 115 kWh, with a CLTC range exceeding 720 km. It features CATL’s latest generation “super hybrid cells” and full-domain kilovolt high-voltage architecture, balancing energy density, safety, and lifespan.
In terms of performance, the D19 pure electric version uses a tri-motor four-wheel-drive structure with a system power of 540 kW, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3 seconds. The extended range version has a power of 400 kW, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4 seconds.
For the chassis, the D19 uses a combination of dual-chamber closed air suspension and continuously variable damping shock absorption, introducing an active pre-scanning “magic carpet” function that adjusts the suspension state based on road conditions.
In intelligence, the D19 is equipped with a total of 5 screens, and dual Qualcomm 8797 chips deliver 1,280 TOPS of computing power, providing headroom for edge AI large models and multi-screen interaction.
With the support of edge AI large models, the D19 unlocks more interactive scenarios, such as call summaries, intelligent ordering, sentinel mode summaries, AI intelligent car search, and can achieve parking-to-parking assisted driving.
Overall, the D19 delivers a well-rounded performance in the flagship’s fundamental competencies, focusing on family user scenarios, implementing space, comfort, configuration, and technological capabilities.
For LEAPMOTOR, the D19 serves as a product positioning watershed. It demonstrates the capability to create a genuine full-sized flagship SUV in the 300,000 RMB market while laying a clear foundation of technology and product logic for future higher-spec, larger products.## D99 First Appearance
The D99’s debut was the highlight of last night’s launch event, marking LEAPMOTOR’s first MPV model. Given its size and flagship position within the D series, it is likely the most expensive vehicle LEAPMOTOR has ever produced.
The naming of the D99 uses one ‘9’ to designate the MPV series and another ‘9’ for its flagship status, reflecting LEAPMOTOR’s high expectations for this vehicle.
Only a glimpse of the D99’s information was revealed last night. It is confirmed that the D platform’s reuse rate remains high, with key highlights like flat side windows, zero-gravity seats, large battery, dual power range extender, pure electric with kV capability, CTC technology, spacious interior, oxygen generation feature, dual 8797 chips, and edge large model technology from the D19, extending to the D99.
Additionally, according to the launch event, the D99 aims to become the “world’s longest pure electric range extender MPV” and will also feature the “longest pure electric range in its class”, making long range a significant highlight of the D99.
The D99 exceeds 5.2 meters in length, nearly 2 meters in width, and has a wheelbase over 3.1 meters, fitted with 19-inch rims. From its appearance, the D99 has a notably short front and a highly sloped A-pillar, designed to reduce drag and energy consumption while maximizing interior space.
Furthermore, besides the same Optoelectric White, Liquid Silver, Sky Gray, and Metal Black colors as the D19, the D99 also introduces an exclusive color named Dawn Blue, which appeared quite distinctive in person.
For LEAPMOTOR, the ten-year milestone marks a shift from following to leading. From D19 to D99, LEAPMOTOR is not rushing to announce prices lower than market expectations but is instead striving to establish its understanding of a flagship model.
It remains uncertain if the D series can withstand market challenges; the price of the D19 is yet to be announced, and the D99 is just starting to release information.
However, it is clear that LEAPMOTOR is moving beyond just selling cars well and is attempting to establish a longer-term product strategy: using platform capability, technology reuse, and scale-oriented thinking to cover a broader spectrum of vehicle markets with higher specifications.
This article is a translation by AI of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.