MILAN (ITALPRESS) – The Range Extender technology makes its debut in Italy with the new Leapmotor B10 REEV Hybrid. This entry into the Italian market underscores the brand’s strengthening just a year and a half after its introduction in the country.
As highlighted by Federico Scopelliti, Country Manager of Leapmotor Italy, the brand is “growing rapidly, having secured the top position in the electric vehicle market. This impressive outcome is due to over 11,000 registrations in the first quarter [of this year, ed.]. With a market share exceeding 30%, it’s quite satisfying, but the next step for Leapmotor is to become a key player in the hybrid segment using Range Extender technology.”
Specifically, we are looking at a vehicle measuring 4,515 mm in length, 1,885 mm in width, 1,655 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm and a trunk capacity of 330 liters.
Building on the proven system from the C10 model, the B10 REEV Hybrid combines an electric propulsion system with an onboard 1.5-liter gasoline generator that charges the battery as needed. The model features an 18.8 kWh battery providing an electric range of 86 km, a 50 kW generator, and a 50-liter tank, ensuring a combined range of up to 900 km.
“The main innovation of this vehicle is the REEV Hybrid engine, which is categorized as a plug-in hybrid but operates differently – explains Mariateresa Corniello, Pricing & Product Manager Leapmotor Italy. The wheels are driven solely by the electric motor while the thermal engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery, extending the vehicle’s range up to 900 km through the Range Extender system.”
The system is based on three key principles: the electric motor always powers the wheels, the range extender is never mechanically connected to the wheels, and its function is to generate electricity while driving. This configuration allows the B10 REEV Hybrid to provide a purely electric driving experience while enabling travel without the frequent need for charging. Returning to the Range Extender technology, Scopelliti emphasizes that “it appeals to customers interested in the electric world but who still have many doubts about range. However, Leapmotor’s critical success factor is its strong vertical integration which allows full internal control, reducing development and production costs, and transferring these savings to the final price.”
Drivers can choose from four energy modes – EV+, EV, Fuel, and Power+ – to optimize efficiency or performance based on driving needs, adapting the vehicle’s behavior to various driving scenarios while preserving its predominantly electric character.
“The EV and EV+ modes prioritize the electric motor, whereas Fuel and Power+ emphasize the thermal motor. EV and EV+ are recommended for daily commuting or in urban areas. For long journeys, Fuel is the preferred mode, while Power+ is advised when more power is needed,” explains Corniello.
In detail, Fuel and Power+ activate the onboard generator, providing extra energy when a greater range, increased power demand, or specific driving conditions require it.
This system allows the vehicle to optimally adapt performance to the driver’s needs, combining the benefits of electric mobility with the safety and adaptability of hybrid technology. The EV+ mode maximizes battery usage to prioritize fully electric driving, making it ideal for urban commutes and short daily trips. The EV mode maintains electric propulsion as the default setting, allowing the range extender to activate only when necessary to support battery charging, ensuring a consistently smooth and quiet electric driving experience.
For long-distance travel, the Fuel mode shifts the system’s priority to the gasoline generator, conserving battery energy for later use. Finally, the Power+ mode delivers maximum vehicle performance by combining the electric motor’s peak power with the range extender’s generating capacity, ensuring strong acceleration and optimal responsiveness during overtaking or on steep inclines.
Inside the cabin, there is a central display measuring 14.6 inches with a 2.5K HD resolution, providing control over all connectivity, entertainment, and vehicle command functions.
The latest OTA update released for the Leapmotor B10 (both BEV and REEV Hybrid) also introduces significant improvements aimed at enhancing driving comfort, connectivity, user interface, and safety systems.
Connectivity is significantly enhanced with native support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available both via wired and wireless connections, providing users with immediate access to their favorite apps on the 14.6-inch infotainment display. The update also introduces the One Pedal Driving feature, allowing drivers to control both acceleration and most deceleration using only the accelerator pedal, thanks to improved energy recuperation logic that ensures smoother control and greater efficiency.
Regarding ADAS, the pedestrian detection alert system has been optimized, while updates to the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assistance (LCC) systems ensure smoother deceleration when approaching curves, improving overall driving fluidity. The new B10 REEV Hybrid also features a high-strength body structure with improved torsional stiffness, seven airbags, and 17 advanced driver assistance functions designed to support drivers in a wide range of scenarios, ensuring safety and protection on every journey.
The new B10 REEV Hybrid is offered in a simplified range with two trims – Life and Design – six exterior colors, and three interior settings. The new B10 REEV Hybrid is available for order with a starting price of €29,900 for the Life version and €31,400 for the Design version. Additionally, a launch offer is available with trade-in or scrapping options, allowing customers to drive away in the B10 REEV Hybrid Life for a promotional price of €24,900 and the B10 REEV Hybrid Design for €26,400.
– Photo xh7/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
