480 km without firing the petrol engine: Leapmotor readies its family flagship D99

© Yan Zhao Auto

Leapmotor has rolled out its new D99 to dealers — the brand's first minivan. Sales in China are due to start in July, and this is no ordinary family box on wheels: the model is heading straight into the large hybrid and electric MPV segment, where buyers care about the battery, second-row comfort and range.

The D99 is genuinely big: 5280 mm long, 1995 mm wide and 1880 mm tall, with a 3110 mm wheelbase. It is 30 mm longer than the BYD Denza D9. Outside — short bonnet, retractable handles, a «floating» roof, active air intake, split headlights and a roof-mounted lidar. Wheels are 19 inches. Five body colours are offered: black, white, blue, silver and grey.

Inside, the focus is on passengers. Up front sit a 17.3-inch central screen, a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 50-inch AR display. The second row gets two seats with zero-gravity mode, heating, ventilation, massage and a 180-degree swivel. There is a 21.4-inch ceiling screen, an 11.4-litre fridge and a 23-speaker audio system. The third row has not been forgotten either: heating and powered adjustment are listed.

The main technical hook is the EREV version. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbo engine, but it works as a generator. Drive comes from two electric motors with a combined 300 kW (402 hp), while the 80.3 kWh battery delivers up to 480 km of electric range on the CLTC cycle. The fully electric version will get a 115 kWh battery, two motors making a combined 410 kW (550 hp) and up to 700 km of range.

For reference: the conceptually close Li Auto Mega Home costs 559,800 yuan (about 82,640 dollars). There are no prices for the D99 yet, and they will decide whether the minivan lands a real blow on Denza and Li Auto or ends up an expensive showcase of technology.

Leapmotor is clearly accelerating. In May the brand sold 81,569 cars, up 80.99% year on year. The D99 shows where the Chinese market is pushing family cars: fewer compromises, a bigger battery, a business-class second row, and the petrol engine no longer playing the lead.