Leapmotor Begins Pre-Sales of Updated C16 SUV with New Five-Seat Option and Higher Starting Price

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) has opened pre-sales for its updated 2026 C16 SUV, adding a new five-seat configuration alongside its existing six-seat offering in a bid to broaden its market appeal.

Pre-sales for the refreshed C16 began on Thursday, with pricing starting at RMB 169,800 ($23,640), up 8.95% from the previous generation’s base EREV price of RMB 155,800. The new model is available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions, with a total of six trim levels.

Three EREV variants are priced at RMB 169,800, RMB 179,800, and RMB 179,800. The BEV versions are priced at RMB 179,800, RMB 189,800, and RMB 189,800, representing an 11.12% increase over the previous C16 BEV’s starting price of RMB 161,800.

The 2026 C16 is built on Leapmotor’s 800-volt high-voltage architecture. The BEV variants offer a driving range of up to 630 kilometers, while the EREV versions include a battery-only range of 280 kilometers. Notable upgrades include the addition of an 8.1-liter onboard refrigerator.

Leapmotor originally launched the C16 on June 28, 2024, and introduced additional BEV trims in January to address demand for longer-range models. The C16’s dimensions remain unchanged, with a length of 4,915 mm, width of 1,905 mm, height of 1,770 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,825 mm.