Leapmotor C10 hardware update planned for early 2027, Australia unconfirmed

Leapmotor is preparing a hardware-led update for the C10 in early 2027, although its Australian introduction has not been confirmed.

Speaking with media, including CarExpert, at the international launch of the Leapmotor B03X in Spain, Leapmotor International commercial head for Enlarged Europe Danilo Annese described the change as an "evolution" of the C10.

"I don't know necessarily in Australia," he said when asked whether it would be introduced here.

Mr Annese confirmed the update would involve new hardware and accompanying software, but said it wouldn't amount to a full model change or a major mid-life facelift.

"It is a piece of hardware, and of course software comes with that piece of hardware," he said.

"Don't expect MCA or big facelifts."

MCA is an industry term for a mid-cycle action or mid-life update.

Leapmotor global head of product planning and connectivity Tianyue Zhong separately indicated a C10 using the company's newer electronic architecture was due in the coming months.

The exact hardware change hasn't been disclosed, but the timing is significant for Australian buyers because the current C10 is based on Leapmotor's older LEAP 3.0 electronic architecture.

That architecture is the reason the current C10 can't support native Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Leapmotor Australia previously confirmed the feature couldn't be added to the existing vehicle through an over-the-air update because the limitation was hardware-related.

The newer B10, B05 and B03X use more recent electronics and support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Leapmotor didn't confirm the early-2027 C10 update would add smartphone mirroring, and it would be wrong to assume this is the unnamed piece of hardware Mr Annese was referring to.

Australia has already received significant C10 powertrain hardware changes without a full cabin technology upgrade.

The C10 Design Long Range introduced in 2026 moved to an 81.9kWh battery, an 800V electrical architecture and a rear-mounted motor producing 220kW of power and 360Nm of torque. It offers 510km of claimed WLTP range and can accept up to 180kW from a DC fast-charger.

A limited-run C10 AWD Sports+ also brought an 81.9kWh battery, 800V architecture and a 440kW dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain.

Neither model added native Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, because the electrical and battery upgrades didn't replace the C10's underlying infotainment hardware.

The C10 has also received a broader update in China this year, including minor exterior styling changes, larger batteries and revised powertrains. Australia has adopted some of that newer powertrain technology, but not the complete Chinese-market update.

Mr Annese's comments suggest another international change is being prepared separately from a full model replacement.

Leapmotor hasn't said which C10 variants will receive it, whether existing vehicles can be upgraded, or whether it will reach battery-electric and extended-range models at the same time.

It has also not confirmed whether Australia will receive the change when it's introduced internationally.

For local buyers, the key question is whether the new hardware addresses the C10's older cabin electronics and missing smartphone mirroring, or serves another part of the vehicle entirely.

Leapmotor says the answer should become clearer closer to the beginning of 2027.

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