01:03 15-09-2025

Leapmotor D16 revealed: official images of the premium D series SUV

Official images of the new Leapmotor D16—a full-size SUV from the brand’s premium D series—have surfaced on Chinese social media. The lineup also includes a full-size MPV, and the D16 is slated to enter mass production in the first quarter of 2026, with deliveries beginning in the first half of the year.

The model is currently referred to as D16 or D19, with the final name yet to be confirmed. Earlier, founder Zhu Jiangming said that over the next three years Leapmotor would launch 13–14 models priced between 60,000 and 300,000 yuan ($8,400–$42,100). The D series is positioned to crown the range, aiming to deliver super-luxury products at accessible prices. The messaging makes it clear the brand is pushing upmarket without abandoning its value-driven playbook.

The flagship D16 will become the brand’s first SUV to reach the 300,000-yuan mark (about 3.55 million rubles). In July, Senior Vice President Cao Li noted that the model had already completed summer testing in Turpan, one of the hottest regions in China. Choosing that location underscores a focus on extreme-heat validation—sensible for a vehicle with full-size ambitions.

A key technical talking point is the use of two Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chips: one dedicated to the intelligent infotainment system, the other to the advanced driver-assistance suite. The official debut is expected at a technology conference on October 16. This split hints at clear priorities: refined in-cabin tech alongside a serious push on driver aids.

By August 2025, Leapmotor’s cumulative deliveries surpassed 900,000 vehicles. The company has raised its annual sales plan to 650,000 units, with a 2026 target set at 1 million. Together with the D series, these goals sketch a brand scaling fast and aiming higher.