Stellantis’ Chinese partner is expected to position new full-size SUV at RMB 300,000 price point as part of upmarket expansion strategy

Seemingly official images of Leapmotor’s upcoming D19 full-size SUV have surfaced on Chinese platform Yiche following the publication of spy photos of an undisguised example on a street in China.

According to some Chinese sources, the flagship model is expected to retail for around RMB 300,000 (£31,000 / $42,100) when it enters production in early 2026, with a launch expected at Leapmotor’s technology day on October 16.

The new model represents the Chinese manufacturer’s most ambitious push into the premium market segment, featuring dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 processors and positioning the brand against established luxury competitors in what is becoming a hotly contested segment.

Mass production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with customer deliveries commencing in the first half of the year.

The D19 showcases a slight departure from Leapmotor’s current design language, adopting a more sophisticated aesthetic befitting its premium positioning.

Official images circulating on Chinese social media reveal a substantial SUV with clean lines and a commanding road presence thanks to large mirror face-style alloys and a large silver panel on the D-pillar similar to that on the Zeekr 9X.

Specific dimensional details have not yet been disclosed though we can assume a 5.2-metre plus length and 3-metre plus wheelbase, with the model sitting on Leapmotor’s new D series platform, which founder Zhu Jiangming described in December as offering “super-luxury products at affordable prices.”

The naming convention remains fluid, with sources indicating the model may ultimately be designated as the D16 rather than the D19 that the plates on the car in the spy shots show.

The standout feature of the D19 lies in its sophisticated electronic architecture, built around dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8797 chipsets, with one expected to handle the intelligent cockpit functions, and the second managing advanced driver assistance systems, providing the computational power necessary for high-level autonomous driving capabilities.

This dual-chip approach represents a significant technological advancement for Leapmotor, positioning the D19 alongside premium competitors in terms of processing capability.

Senior Vice President Cao Li confirmed in July that the D-series SUV represents “the brand’s first flagship model to reach the 300,000 yuan price point” and has already completed summer testing programmes.

The company conducted extensive validation testing in Turpan, China’s hottest location, with images showing up to 20 vehicles undergoing evaluation, including various camouflaged prototypes covering sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and MPVs.

The D19 launch comes as Leapmotor experiences significant growth momentum, with cumulative deliveries exceeding 900,000 units by August 21 and monthly deliveries soaring to almost 60,000 units in recent months.

This milestone represents rapid progress, with the company adding 100,000 deliveries in just two months since reaching 800,000 units in June, a strong performance that has prompted Leapmotor to raise its 2025 annual sales target to between 580,000 and 650,000 units, with ambitious plans to reach one million units the following year.

Leapmotor’s broader strategy encompasses four series designated A, B, C, and D, covering the RMB 60,000 to RMB 300,000 (£6,200 to £30,900 / $8,400 to $42,200) market segment with 13 to 14 models planned over the next three years.

The D series, priced between RMB 200,000 to RMB 300,000 (£20,700 to £31,000 / $28,100 to $42,100), targets customers seeking premium features at accessible price points.

The company plans to officially unveil the D16 at its technology conference scheduled for October 16, where additional specifications and market details are expected to be revealed.

This timing aligns with Leapmotor’s strategy to build anticipation ahead of the 2026 production timeline, allowing the company to gauge market response and potentially adjust specifications based on customer feedback.

Leapmotor is starting to further expand its offering into Europe with the Lafa 5, or B05, making its debut at the IAA in Munich, and the likely introduction of the brand’s current largest SUV, the C16, following the initial launch of the C10 SUV and T03 hatchback.