Leapmotor has launched the D99, its first MPV and the new flagship of the brand’s passenger vehicle range. Available with battery-electric (BEV) and range-extender (EREV) powertrains, the D99 enters the large MPV segment.
We recently spent some time with the Chinese-spec D99 to see what it offers.
Design
The D99 adopts a one-box MPV silhouette with a short bonnet, a long roofline and a large glass area. The front features split LED headlamps connected by a three-piece daytime running light signature.
Higher variants feature DLP projection headlamps that can display lighting animations. An active air intake grille is integrated into the front bumper.
Large sliding rear doors provide access to the second and third rows. The sliding door rails are integrated into the bodywork, while the side profile features flush side glass, blacked-out pillars and chrome trim.
At the rear, the D99 gets a full-width LED taillamp incorporating 8,260 individual LED elements. The MPV rides on 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with Michelin tyres, while a roof-mounted lidar unit sits above the windscreen.
Interior
The D99 features a seven-seat cabin with a 2+2+3 layout. The second-row captain’s chairs support 45-degree, 90-degree and 180-degree rotation. Heating, ventilation, massage, electric leg rests and fold-out tables are also included.
The dashboard houses a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.3-inch central touchscreen. A 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, a 6-inch rear control screen and a 21.4-inch 3K roof-mounted entertainment display are also available.
The infotainment system is powered by dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chips delivering 1,280 TOPS. It supports over-the-air updates and six-zone voice recognition.
Other features include an 11.4-litre refrigerator with a temperature range of -6°C to 50°C, a 1.46-square-metre panoramic glass roof, a 23-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system and 43 storage compartments.
The third-row seats are heated and electrically adjustable. Boot capacity stands at 706 litres with all seven seats in use and expands to 2,890 litres with the third row folded.
Specifications
The D99 measures 5,280 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width and 1,900 mm in height. The wheelbase stands at 3,110 mm.
There are two powertrain options. The EREV uses an 80.3 kWh LFP battery and an 800V electrical architecture. Electric-only range is 480 km (CLTC). It combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors producing 100 kW at the front and 200 kW at the rear. A 30-80% DC fast charge takes around 15 minutes.
The BEV uses a 115 kWh CATL battery and a 1000V electrical architecture. Electric range is 700 km (CLTC). The dual-motor system produces 180 kW at the front and 230 kW at the rear.
A 15-minute DC fast charge can add more than 350 km of range. Both versions are available with dual-chamber air suspension and CDC adaptive dampers.
Pricing
The Leapmotor D99 is priced between RMB 249,800 and RMB 319,800 (approximately £26,000-£33,000) in China.
Leapmotor has not announced plans to launch the D99 in the UK. If there’s indeed an export plan for the D99, and it reaches Britain, pricing could start between £55,000 and £65,000. It would compete with models such as the VW ID. Buzz and Maxus MIFA 9.
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
