Leapmotor’s second brand to launch in late 2027
Leapmotor is preparing a second automotive brand, whose first vehicle is scheduled to be unveiled and delivered in the fourth quarter of 2027. The company has not yet disclosed a name, technical specifications or specific target markets.
However, the manufacturer is promising a significantly different approach. Rather than simply being another electric car, the vehicle is intended to offer a flexible, digitally focused interior. Leapmotor compares the shift to the transition from conventional mobile phones to smartphones.
Leapmotor does not simply want to combine existing technologies, but to bring hardware, software and the interior together into a more deeply integrated overall product.
The ambition is consistent with the brand’s rapid growth. In the 2026 electric car market, Leapmotor recorded significant gains and is now among China’s fastest-growing manufacturers.
LEAP 5.0 creates more interior space
The new brand will be based on the LEAP 5.0 vehicle architecture. Leapmotor is moving the drive unit to the rear axle and replacing the conventional dashboard climate-control unit with a more highly integrated module. This is expected to increase usable interior space by more than 19%.
The practical impact could be considerable: less technology behind the dashboard creates more room for passengers, storage compartments and more flexible seating arrangements. Especially in vehicles with compact exterior dimensions, this type of design can provide noticeably more interior space.
| Technology | Purpose and potential benefit |
|---|---|
| LEAP 5.0 | New overall architecture with space-saving climate control and rear-wheel drive |
| Clover 5.0 | Centralized electrical and electronic vehicle architecture |
| 48-volt electrical system | More efficient power supply for electrical components with lower current flow |
| Vehicle-wide Ethernet | Fast data exchange between control units, sensors and infotainment |
| Agent OS | Integration of vehicle functions and cloud services |
A 48-volt electrical system should not be confused with the high-voltage architecture of the traction battery. It powers auxiliary systems and allows lower currents than a conventional 12-volt system at the same power output → cables and electrical components can therefore be designed more efficiently.
LWM aims to reorganize driver assistance
Alongside the platform, Leapmotor has unveiled the LWM driver-assistance system. The abbreviation stands for Leapmotor World Model. Instead of primarily modeling the surroundings using a conventional bird’s-eye view, the system is intended to interpret traffic situations more comprehensively and infer how they could develop.
LiDAR remains on board, but according to the manufacturer it mainly serves as an additional layer of safety. Leapmotor emphasizes that advances in algorithms are more important than continually adding computing power. Independent tests will need to show how well this approach works in bad weather, at complex intersections or through confusing construction zones.
All previously delivered vehicles equipped with LiDAR are expected to receive the new system free of charge and be able to use it permanently without a subscription fee. According to Leapmotor, it had delivered around 350,000 suitably equipped vehicles by the end of August 2026. Whether every model receives the full range of functions will likely depend on its sensors and computing hardware.
Such promises also apply only to a limited extent in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Regional software approvals, regulatory requirements and the permitted scope of driver-assistance functions remain decisive.
CTC 3.0 also integrates the low-voltage battery
With CTC 3.0, Leapmotor is further developing its cell-to-chassis technology. This integrates the traction battery more closely into the vehicle structure. A new feature is that the low-voltage battery is also incorporated into the battery pack, eliminating the need for a separate lead-acid battery.
This saves installation space, weight and additional components. At the same time, maintenance, protection and repairability become more demanding because more functions are combined in one central unit. Leapmotor intends to make the technology available to other companies as an open-source solution.
New hybrid technology for international markets
In addition to fully electric cars and range-extender models, Leapmotor also plans to offer plug-in hybrids in the future. The new MM-i system supports series and parallel hybrid operation, along with a total of nine operating modes.
Depending on the driving situation, the combustion engine can generate electricity, directly assist in driving the vehicle or combine both functions. This significantly expands the brand’s existing strategy. The range-extender concept used by Chinese manufacturers already shows why such powertrains are particularly popular in markets with patchy charging infrastructure.
For Europe, a plug-in hybrid could complement the lineup, provided it offers a sufficiently large battery and strong electric capability for everyday use. However, specific models, performance figures and launch dates for the DACH region—Germany, Austria and Switzerland—have yet to be announced.
Leapmotor grows rapidly but remains cautious about robots
In August 2026, Leapmotor delivered 103,129 vehicles worldwide, around 81% more than a year earlier. Deliveries totaled 560,883 vehicles in the first eight months of the year. This meant the company had achieved approximately 56% of its annual target of one million vehicles.
By contrast, the company is deliberately taking a cautious approach to humanoid robots. A robot developed entirely in-house already exists, but major investments are not planned until an economically viable use case emerges.
The second brand is therefore the more important element of the company’s current strategy. Whether Leapmotor can truly create a smartphone experience on wheels will depend less on grand comparisons than on seamlessly integrated software, intuitive operation and a competitive price.
