Leapmotor announces second brand; first model due in 2027 with roof-raising design

Leapmotor has not disclosed the second brand’s name, price range or specific models. The first product is scheduled for 2027 and will use LEAP 5.0, with a focus on what the company calls “over 100% usable space” and high intelligence. The architecture turns a fixed cabin into a space that can extend further; the most visible change is vertical room, with the flat floor lowered by about 70mm and the roof able to rise by about 800mm. This allows Leapmotor to build a “native roof-lifting vehicle,” iFanr reported.

The LEAP 5.0 platform also compresses hardware. Its “super air-conditioning all-in-one” reduces thermal-management parts from 69 to 21, the powertrain is moved to the rear, dampers use a vertical layout and smaller shock towers intrude less into the cabin. The platform uses 48V power across the vehicle, automotive Ethernet and a central domain controller. The 48V system supports high-power devices such as the roof lift and steer-by-wire chassis; Ethernet carries video and control data; and the centralized architecture cuts vehicle wiring to about 500 meters.

For assisted driving, Leapmotor introduced LWM world-model assisted driving, made up of a cloud foundation world model, a vehicle-side real-time world model and fleet-data collaborative training. Leapmotor has prepared computing platforms at 200 TOPS, 640 TOPS and 1280 TOPS. Lower compute supports lower cost, and Leapmotor said models under 100,000 yuan, including the A10, will carry world-model assisted driving. About 350,000 delivered lidar-equipped vehicles will receive free upgrades in batches in 2027, with lifetime free use, the company said. Because different model years use different chips and hardware platforms, Leapmotor said algorithm migration and reconstruction alone will require at least 50 million yuan.

On powertrains, Leapmotor showed the MM-i multi-mode hybrid electric drive, adding plug-in hybrid to its line-up alongside battery-electric and extended-range vehicles. The system allows the generator to participate in driving when needed and integrates two electromagnetic clutches coaxially; in-house control algorithms switch among pure electric, series, parallel and direct engine drive modes. Leapmotor quoted a system peak power of 206kW. MM-i is planned to cover A0- to D-segment vehicles, with smaller models giving up less passenger space. In overseas markets with unstable charging and stronger long-distance demand, multiple drive modes are easier to adapt to different conditions than a single extended-range setup.

The CTC 3.0 high-low voltage integrated battery targets the low-voltage battery. Independent low-voltage batteries need replacement after several years, and vehicles parked for long periods may fail to start because of low-voltage depletion. Leapmotor said CTC 3.0 can greatly increase low-voltage storage capacity, achieve lifetime maintenance-free use and save more than 2,000 yuan in use costs. Related patents will be opened to the industry.

Leapmotor also used the tech day to show ambitions beyond vehicle manufacturing, aiming to become a supplier and to enter robotics. It wants to sell batteries, electric drives and even vehicle architectures to other automakers and profit by supplying platforms. According to the company, its electronics system cooperation involves five companies, electric drive systems eight, battery systems 10, and vehicle-level architecture and technology partners include FAW and overseas partner Stellantis. On robotics, Zhu Jiangming said at the event: “A robot that can be walked around is no skill; a robot that can make money is presentable.” But so far the business is more of a technology demonstration, with no clear product, customer or commercialization timeline.