This $35K EV Now Has 590 HP… That Escalated Fast

The Leapmotor C10 built its appeal on simplicity. Electric SUV, smooth daily use, predictable drive, and a price that kept the decision easy.

This new version breaks away from that approach.

It’s called the C10 AWD Sports+ Special Edition, and it has just landed in Australia. The numbers hit first. The standard C10 runs a single motor with 215 hp and 320 Nm. This one switches to dual motors and jumps to 590 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. That shift changes the whole character of the car.

They quote 0 to 62 mph in 4 seconds. That is quick. With this level of power, you might expect a lower number, so it likely leans more toward controlled delivery and traction rather than aggressive launch tuning.

Price is where it starts to feel unusual. AU$53,888 puts it only about AU$10k above the base car, and for close to triple the power, that gap feels smaller than expected.

The battery steps up as well. You get 81.9 kWh, LFP, with a claimed 437 km WLTP range, which is solid on paper for this segment.

Charging is decent, but not class-leading. It supports up to 180 kW, and a 30 to 80% top up takes around 22 minutes, which feels average, especially for a car running an 800V system.

The one thing missing is more detail on the hardware underneath, as there is still no clear info on the suspension or the brakes, which feels odd with this level of power.

The old C10 was the safe pick, with a setup that felt predictable and easy to live with. This one changes that. It delivers more speed, a sharper edge, and a more aggressive overall feel. At this price, that shift stands out more than expected.