Leapmotor C10 AWD Sports+ is an exclusive but affordable Model Y Performance rival

The first special edition of the Leapmotor C10 mid-size electric SUV might look like a simple sticker pack, but it brings a significant bump in performance – making it a cut-price rival to the Tesla Model Y Performance.

Offered exclusively as an electric vehicle – and not with the available extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain – only 50 examples of the C10 AWD Sports+ Special Edition will be offered in Australia, priced at $53,888 before on-road costs.

That undercuts the Model Y Performance, priced at $89,400 before on-roads, and sits exactly $4000 above the rear-wheel drive C10 EV Design grade.

For the extra outlay, the Special Edition adds a second motor to deliver ‘intelligent’ all-wheel drive (AWD), with outputs jumping to 440kW and 760Nm – up from 160kW and 320Nm in the standard model.

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It also claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.0 seconds, a significant 3.5-second improvement over the C10 Design, though still 0.5 seconds slower than the $35,512 more expensive Model Y Performance

The added performance is paired with a larger 81.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery delivering a claimed 437km of WLTP range, up from 420km in the rear-drive C10 with its 69.9kWh battery.

The move to an 800V electrical architecture enables faster charging, with a 30 to 80 per cent top-up claimed in as little as 22 minutes, compared to 30 minutes for the standard version.

The flagship variant is distinguished by two exclusive exterior finishes: Pearl White with black Sports+ decals, or Metallic Black with grey Sports+ graphics.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof and a power tailgate.

Inside, the cabin is offered in black – unlike the rest of the local C10 range – and features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, as well as a 12-speaker sound system, wireless phone charging, multi-colour ambient lighting, and power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and silicone leather upholstery.

Leapmotor reverted to a six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty in 2025, after initially offering a seven-year warranty when the C10 launched the brand in Australia in 2024. The C10 Special Edition is also backed with eight years of roadside assistance and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty.

The Chinese brand delivered 579 C10s across EV and REEV variants in 2025, with 39 units delivered across January and February 2026.

MORE: Explore the Leapmotor C10 showroom