6 seater

China’s rapid auto expansion continues at a record pace as Leapmotor prepares to launch a new three row large SUV.Leapmotor, which is part owned by Jeep and Peugeot’s parent company Stellantis, has confirmed it will launch in Australia as early as this year. It is the latest in a slew of Chinese carmakers bringing their wares Down Under, including GAC, Skywell, Smart, Xpeng and Zeekr.The Chinese brand is expected to launch with its C10 mid-size SUV, which is a cut-price alternative to the Tesla Model Y. The C10 has an electric driving range up to 420km and a five star Euro NCAP safety rating.Leapmotor is getting ready to launch the C16, a three row SUV roughly the same size as the Kia Sorento, according to CarNewsChina.It’ll be affordable, with prices expected to be the equivalent of about $42,000.The C16 only has seating for six for the moment. The middle row is two captain’s chairs that are electronically adjustable, have a folding tray in the back of the front seats and there is a big 15.6-inch roof mounted multimedia screen.China has a penchant for back seat passenger focused people-movers and SUVs, but it is likely the C16 will be available as a conventional seven-seat SUV in international markets.The C16 will be available as an electric only model and as a range extender hybrid.Electric models use a 67kWh LFP battery that feeds an electric motor that makes 215kW. The C16 can drive up to 520km based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), which is much more generous than the widely used Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).The Range extender has a little 1.5-litre petrol engine that is used to charge a circa-28kWh battery, which feeds a 170kW electric motor.Leapmotor hasn’t confirmed the C16 for international markets yet, but it's likely to follow the C10 SUV and little C03 hatchback onto the global stage.Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said the joint venture with Leapmotor will give the carmaker a competitive edge with the onslaught of cheap and tech-savvy new Chinese electric cars.“The creation of Leapmotor International is a great step forward in helping address the urgent global warming issue with state-of-the-art BEV models that will compete with existing Chinese brands in key markets around the world,” said Tavares.“Leveraging our existing global presence, we will soon be able to offer our customers price competitive and tech-centric electric vehicles that will exceed their expectations.”

Hyundai has confirmed the range and prices for its all-new Santa Fe family SUV.The Toyota Kluger-rivaling seven-seat SUV will be available in three grades: starting with the simply named Santa Fe and moving up to the Elite and then to the fully-loaded Calligraphy.Prices start at $55,500 (before on-road costs) for the front-wheel-drive base version, which is an almost $10,000 jump compared to the outgoing model. Adding all-wheel drive costs an extra $3000.The Elite variant starts at $65,000 and comes standard with all-wheel drive.Ranger-topping Calligraphy AWD versions start at $75,000 and comes in seven- and six-seat layouts.Every model uses hybrid power, combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor to make 172kW and 367Nm. Hyundai claims the big SUV drinks 5.6 litres per 100km.The Santa Fe is targeting its main rival the Toyota Kluger, which for comparison ekes out 184kW from its hybrid set-up and matches the Hyundai’s fuel use.The Santa Fe is a bold looking SUV with dynamic H-shaped headlights and a light bar across the front grill. It has a boxy silhouette similar to older Land Rovers.Buyers of the cheapest Santa Fe can expect 20-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back and rear privacy glass.Inside there are dual 12.3-inch digital displays - one for the multimedia and one for the driver’s instruments - and cloth seats.Safety is comprehensive with 10 airbags and a mass of active driver aids.There is plenty of in-car tech including the brand’s connected Bluelink app, over-the-air update capabilities and smartphone mirroring paired with a wireless device charger.All-wheel-drive versions get multiple driving modes including Snow, Mud and Sand.Elite versions up the level of standard kit with synthetic leather-wrapped seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a second wireless device charger.It ditches the base versions’ six-speaker stereo for a premium Bose sound system.Full fruit Calligraphy variants up the luxe factor with plush Nappa leather upholstery, sunroof and power adjustment for the front-seat passenger.There are some tech advancements with a head-up display that projects vital information such as travelling speed and safety warnings onto the windscreen in front of the driver.For the germ conscious there is a UV-C sterilisation tray in the dashboard above the glove box that takes 10-minutes to zap an item.