Leapmotor unveils D19 flagship SUV with 720 km range, tri-motor AWD and 1,280 TOPS computing, aiming at ONVO L90 and Li Auto L9 in the RMB 300k segment.
Leapmotor, long labeled as the “half-price Li Auto,” is testing the waters to penetrate Li Auto’s territory.
Carrying Leapmotor’s ambition for upward mobility, the D19 made its global debut last night, with the company showing clear favoritism for this flagship push.
As the inaugural model on Leapmotor’s LEAP3.5-D Lingyun flagship platform, the D19 offers a tangible specs list: an extended-range version with an 80.3 kWh battery exceeding 500 km range, a pure EV version with 115 kWh and 720 km range, a top-tier three-motor configuration, and dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chips.
Leapmotor continues to demonstrate precision in the D19’s product strategy, with the most crucial factor still being pricing.
CEO Zhu Jiangming addressed this at the start of the launch event, stating, “All Leapmotor products are priced with sincerity, and the D19 will be no exception.”
The D19 is expected to go on sale in the first quarter of 2026. While discussing price now may be premature, it remains a key topic for this “affordable luxury” model.
Even without a price tag, reviewing last night’s launch makes clear the market impact this Leapmotor flagship intends to deliver.
Leap Beyond the Segment
The D19 retains Leapmotor’s hallmark strategy of punching above its weight.
Zhu noted, “Many performance metrics of the D19 surpass vehicles starting with ‘9’ in their series.”
With full-stack in-house development providing cost advantages, Leapmotor has strong confidence in the D19’s ability to leapfrog competitors.
This ambition is visible in both interior and exterior design.
The D19 is a full-size SUV exceeding 5.2 meters in length with a wheelbase over 3.1 meters. This slightly surpasses the ONVO L90 ($37,400), aligns with the 30.99 million RMB ($43,600) starting price of the Lynk & Co 900, and is comparable with other segment representatives like the AITO M9 and Li Auto L9.
Leapmotor D19 challenges the conventional “size correlates with price” rule, extending this debate into the EV era.
How does Leapmotor inject luxury into a more accessible vehicle? Step one is exterior design.
The D19 uses luxury-signature cues such as a dual-tone roof dubbed “Silver Crown,” Michelin tires paired with 21-inch disk-style wheels, and flush side windows.
Inside, high-tech features like a million-pixel projector headlamp integrating high and low beams with ADB/DLP, and a 1958 mm-wide ISD surround light strip with 11,025 LEDs, immediately convey a premium feel.
Fragmented details revealed during the launch also hint at interior space and capabilities.
The front trunk accommodates two 20-inch suitcases. While exact volume wasn’t disclosed, the ONVO L90’s 240L front trunk holds two 20-inch suitcases and a child’s case.
Inside, seats use Nappa leather shared with the Maextro S800, zero-gravity 120° adjustable seating, and a 60-inch AR-HUD, though Leapmotor did not extensively detail the D19 cabin during the debut.
Dual-tone bodywork, disk-style wheels, and front trunk contribute to a first impression of luxury. Yet the true “affordable luxury” DNA comes from Leapmotor’s proprietary LEAP3.5-D Lingyun platform.
How Leapmotor Builds a Flagship
To secure the “luxury” label and challenge higher-tier full-size SUVs, the D19’s core strength isn’t cosmetic—it’s the LEAP3.5-D Lingyun platform.
The platform’s centerpiece is the tri-electric system.
The D19 EV version uses a 1000V high-voltage architecture. The 115 kWh battery delivers 720 km range and can add over 350 km in 15 minutes of charging.
For long range and ultra-fast charging, the EV uses CATL’s advanced hybrid cells, modified with iron, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
Energy density rises 18.5% over standard cells, with over 50% slower degradation after 100,000 km.
The full-stack 1kV high-voltage architecture, paired with a 34-in-1 thermal management module, minimizes energy loss and ensures stable range.
Performance-wise, the top EV trim features three-motor all-wheel drive, producing 540 kW and 8,770 N·m torque, achieving 0–100 km/h in 3 seconds.
The extended-range variant reflects Leapmotor’s ambitions: an 80.3 kWh battery offering over 500 km pure electric range, with 30–80% charging in 15 minutes. The D19 is nearly unrivaled in the current extended-range segment.
Leapmotor’s CTC battery-chassis integration eliminates modules and covers, improving battery volume efficiency, potentially increasing cabin space.
Notably, the extended-range D19 has a 40L fuel tank. For long trips treated like a conventional ICE car, a larger tank may provide extra confidence.
Efficiency remains critical for range. The D19 extended-range uses a dual-energy motor AWD system, unlike competitors like the AITO M8 with three motors assigned to generation or drive.
Two integrated drive-generator units reduce weight by over 60 kg and improve overall range by 5%.
System power reaches 400 kW with 7,850 N·m wheel-end torque, placing it in the 0–100 km/h 4-second club.
The D19 also maximizes chassis technology, featuring double-chamber air suspension, CDC damping, front double-wishbone and rear five-link suspension, Michelin tires, custom calipers, and high-end R-EPS steering for premium driving dynamics.
Leapmotor addresses past intelligence shortcomings.
The D19 integrates the VLA World Model ADAS and dual Qualcomm SA8797 chips. Combined, these provide 1280 TOPS, merging cockpit and driving computing into a shared pool for coordinated resource allocation.
Safety is robust: the D19’s 9-horizontal, 3-vertical, 4-linkage cage body achieves 50,500 N·m/deg torsional rigidity. For comparison, the Lynk & Co 900 is 32,983 N·m/deg and ONVO L90 is 38,150 N·m/deg.
In addition, D19’s ADAS supports 4–150 km/h AEB braking range.
Leapmotor aims for “technology parity,” delivering features and performance traditionally exclusive to luxury vehicles at a more accessible price point.
Upward Ambition
Leapmotor invested heavily in the D19, demonstrating strong sincerity.
A supporting sign: the D19 “is all branded components.”
A video released yesterday showcased supplier executives celebrating the D19, highlighting partnerships including CATL battery tech, Fuyao panoramic sunroof, Konghui double-chamber air suspension, ZF extended-range drive system, and Bosch parallel-axis steering.
Coupled with the D19’s performance, Leapmotor’s commitment is evident.
The D19 represents more than a volume model—it carries Leapmotor’s hope for brand elevation.
Over the past decade, Leapmotor carved a niche with “value-for-money” vehicles. The D19 aims to add “leading tech” and “brand prestige” to this foundation.
The combination of product capability and strong supplier network signals confidence in quality and supply chain control.
Brand building is long-term, making D19 pricing crucial—will Leapmotor set a higher anchor to elevate the lineup or surprise the market with an attractive launch price?
Leapmotor has repeatedly stated that D19’s mission is disruptive.
With its aggressive approach, the D19 aims to redefine value standards for $42k SUV segments. Competitors like ONVO L90 and Lynk & Co 900 will feel the pressure.
Despite minor size differences, the D19 excels in range and features. Extended-range EVs surpass 500 km, ahead of Lynk & Co 900 (268 km) and Li Auto L9 (280 km). Pure EV tops 720 km, exceeding ONVO L90’s 605 km.
Chassis features—double-chamber air suspension, CDC damping, front double-wishbone/rear five-link—match mid-high trims of 336,900 RMB ($47,400) Lynk & Co 900 and 409,800 RMB ($57,600) Li Auto L9.
Combined with front trunk, VLA World Model, and dual Snapdragon 8797 chips, the remaining competitive variables may lie in interior space and specific trim configurations.
The launch event last night revealed a more mature Leapmotor.
This more ambitious Leapmotor may yet surprise by pricing the D19 below ONVO L90 and Lynk & Co 900. Will it deliver another market shock?
Discover more from ChinaEVHome
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
