Leapmotor Reveals D99 Interior, Targets Premium Brand Push

On May 18, Leapmotor officially released an interior preview video for its new flagship MPV, the D99. The model is expected to launch in mid-2026.

Following Leapmotor’s recent confirmation of plans for a second brand, the D99 is widely viewed as an important step in the company’s push into higher price segments.

Based on the released footage, the D99’s front cabin design continues the styling language introduced by the Leapmotor D19, featuring a large floating central display, digital instrument cluster and head-up display system. Rear passengers also receive a roof-mounted entertainment screen.

One of the biggest highlights of the interior is its flexible cabin layout, with all three rows of seats capable of folding flat.

Similar to the Li Auto MEGA and Luxeed V9, the second-row seats of the Leapmotor D99 support both 90-degree and 180-degree rotation functions.

In addition, the second-row backrests can fully recline and connect with the third-row seats to form a bed configuration.

The third-row seats not only feature heating functions, but also support multiple powered folding modes. They can fold completely into the luggage compartment to create a fully flat floor, flip rearward into “fishing seat” mode, or recline fully flat.

In terms of powertrain options, previous filings with China’s MIIT showed that the D99 will offer both battery electric and range-extended variants.

The EREV version adopts an 800V high-voltage platform paired with an 80.3 kWh battery pack, delivering a WLTC pure-electric range of 352 km.

The BEV version upgrades to a 1000V high-voltage platform and features a CATL-supplied 115 kWh battery pack, providing a CLTC range of 700 km.

Considering Leapmotor’s existing pricing strategy, and referencing the D19’s RMB 219,800–269,800 ($32,340–$39,700) price range, the D99 is expected to start at around RMB 250,000 ($36,780), targeting the RMB 300,000 ($44,130) new energy MPV market.

During last Friday’s earnings conference call, Leapmotor CFO Li Tengfei also officially confirmed that the company’s second brand will focus on the above-RMB 300,000 ($44,130) segment.

The brand is expected to debut as early as the end of 2026, launch products in 2027, and establish an independent sales network.

To some extent, the D99 appears to serve as an early market test ahead of Leapmotor’s formal entry into the premium segment.

Financial results showed that Leapmotor generated revenue of RMB 10.82 billion ($1.59 billion) in the first quarter, up 8% year-on-year.

Vehicle deliveries reached 110,155 units, up 25.8%, while overseas exports surged 442% year-on-year to 40,901 units.

At the same time, however, the company’s gross margin declined from 14.9% a year earlier to 9.4%.

For Leapmotor, relying solely on volume growth is clearly no longer sufficient. The challenge of moving into higher-margin segments is becoming a key issue for the company’s next stage of development.