China’s Leapmotor has solely just lately launched in Australia, however it’s already methods to enhance its automobiles.
Like many new fashions which have a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on the newest scoring protocol, the Leapmotor C10 mid-sized electrical SUV has a driver consideration monitor that alerts the motive force when the automotive thinks you’re distracted or not wanting on the highway forward.
As we discovered throughout the Australian media launch drive of the Leapmotor C10, nevertheless, the motive force consideration monitor chimes rather a lot, and struggles to detect your eyes in the event you’re carrying sun shades. The system additionally defaults to on each time you drive the automotive.
The shrill driver consideration monitoring sounds are additionally blended with completely different chimes for the clever velocity restrict help and lane-keep help features.
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Talking with CarExpert, the pinnacle of Leapmotor Australia, Andy Hoang, mentioned the corporate is exploring adjustments to the automotive’s alert sounds in an try to enhance the client expertise.
“Leapmotor at its core is a software program firm, so all the pieces’s on the desk for the way can we enhance the expertise,” mentioned Mr Hoang.
“And there’s been fairly a couple of issues we’re working by way of in the intervening time simply to repeatedly present that higher expertise.
“Sound is without doubt one of the issues that… we’re investigating.”
Leapmotor has already confirmed there’s an over-the-air software program replace coming for the C10 that may carry apps like TikTok to its infotainment system. It’ll solely be accessible to make use of when stationary.
A variety of different apps and different software program tweaks are anticipated to return with future software program updates.
Nevertheless, one function that received’t come to the C10 with a software program replace is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, because the automotive’s LEAP 3.0 structure can’t help it.
Leapmotor has mentioned the C10 received’t get smartphone mirroring performance till a mid-life replace or a new-generation mannequin, when the automotive’s structure is modified to the LEAP 3.5 platform. A timeframe for this hasn’t been supplied but.
Current C10s received’t have the ability to be retrofitted with the up to date software program tech both.
Leapmotor is a younger firm, based in China in 2015. It solely gives EVs and extended-range electrical automobiles (EREVs), the latter of which additionally incorporate a combustion engine to cost their high-voltage battery.
In October 2023, automotive conglomerate Stellantis – which owns Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Maserati and Fiat, amongst others – introduced it could make investments €1.5 billion (A$2.5 billion) in Leapmotor, buying about 21 per cent of the Chinese language carmaker.
It obtained a controlling 51 per cent stake in Leapmotor Worldwide, a three way partnership between the 2 carmakers that’s now exporting automobiles to markets together with Europe and Australia, the place they’re bought alongside manufacturers together with Jeep.
Though the C10 EV is the one mannequin Leapmotor at the moment gives in Australia, the C10 REEV (Vary Extender Electrical Car) is due within the first half of 2025, and the B10 small electrical SUV is due on sale right here later this 12 months.
