Stunning 5.28 Meters Length, XXL Battery, and Foldable Table: The Leapmotor D99 is a Mobile Living Room for Families. You’ll be astonished.
- The Leapmotor D99 offers seating for seven, swivel comfort seats, and a lounge area.
- Buyers in China can choose between a fully electric version and a range-extender variant.
- With Leapmotor already selling models here, a market launch is possible.
Leapmotor is launching a new electric van, showing that family cars don’t have to be boring anymore. In China, the model starts at prices between 249,800 and 319,800 Yuan, which translates to about 32,000 to 41,000 euros. Buyers can opt for a pure electric model or a range-extender version, where a small gasoline engine provides power to the battery while driving, enabling longer distances.
According to CarNewsChina, the D99 stretches 5.28 meters in length, providing space for seven passengers. Instead of the usual three-seat bench in the second row, Leapmotor opts for a 2+2+3 seating arrangement. The driver and front passenger sit at the front, with two large individual seats behind them and a three-seat bench at the back. This design not only improves comfort in the middle seats but also eases access to the third row, allowing passengers to walk comfortably between the two individual seats.
Swivel Seats Instead of Classic Backseat
The van’s greatest strength lies in its interior. The two seats in the second row can swivel, allowing passengers to sit across from each other. Combined with a foldable table and reclining seatbacks, the D99 can transform into a small lounge for relaxation, a mobile workspace on the go, or a reclining area for breaks during long trips. This flexibility distinguishes it from other seven-seaters, like the BYD Great Tang, which have less adaptable seating concepts.
Leapmotor also opts for high-end features, drawing inspiration from luxury models such as the Mercedes GLC EQ rather than traditional family cars. Drivers have access to a digital cockpit and a large touchscreen, while a head-up display projects crucial information like speed and navigation directly onto the windshield. Backseat passengers also enjoy a ceiling-mounted screen for watching movies or series during lengthy travels.
Long Trips Without Range Anxiety
Depending on the variant, the vehicle houses different technologies under its floor. The fully electric version features a 115 kWh battery designed for long distances with minimal charging stops. Many electric vans, like the VW ID.Buzz, come with batteries ranging between 70 and 90 kWh. The range-extender version combines a smaller battery (80.3 kWh) with a gasoline engine acting as a power generator. Thus, the vehicle primarily operates electrically but can self-recharge the battery when needed, providing enhanced flexibility.
The D99 clearly illustrates the direction that modern family vehicles are taking. They aren’t just about getting as many people from A to B; they aim to create a space where work, relaxation, or quality time together can happen. The pure electric version promises a range of up to 700 kilometers. However, whether this luxurious electric van will eventually make its way to Europe remains uncertain.
While there’s no confirmation yet, the D99 could eventually see the roads in Europe. Leapmotor is already present in Germany and other European countries, offering smaller models like the T03 and C10. Should the D99 make the leap to Europe, we can expect a significant price increase due to factors such as import costs, technical adjustments for the local market, and tariffs. For those eager to drive electric today, consider checking out leasing deals for the Audi Q4 e-tron.
