If you want to understand just how far behind American automakers have fallen in the electrified minivan segment, look no further than the Leapmotor D99. Unveiled at the Chinese brand’s 10th anniversary celebration, this electric people-mover offers something no American family can currently buy: a plug-in hybrid minivan with over 300 miles of pure electric range, or a full EV version with nearly 450 miles of total range.
Leapmotor is a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that Stellantis invested heavily in as part of its strategy to tap into China’s booming EV market and access cutting-edge electric technology. Stellantis acquired a roughly 20 percent stake in Leapmotor in 2023 and formed a joint venture called Leapmotor International to sell Leapmotor vehicles in markets outside China.
The partnership has already begun bearing fruit in Europe, where Leapmotor models are being sold through Stellantis dealer networks. But the D99 represents something potentially more significant: proof that Stellantis has access to minivan technology that far exceeds anything currently offered under its Chrysler, Dodge, or RAM brands in North America.
The Leapmotor D99 launches in both battery-electric (BEV) and range-extender electric vehicle (EREV) configurations, allowing buyers to choose based on their charging infrastructure and driving patterns. The fully electric D99 is built on a 1000-volt architecture, one of the highest-voltage platforms in production today. Higher voltage systems enable faster charging speeds and reduce energy losses during transmission, improving overall efficiency.
The battery is a massive 115 kWh pack supplied by CATL, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer. That’s enough capacity to deliver an estimated 720 kilometers (approximately 447 miles) of range. Even accounting for the fact that EPA ratings typically come in lower than WLTP figures, this suggests a real-world range approaching or exceeding 400 miles for American driving conditions.
To put that in perspective, the Tesla Model Y Long Range manages about 330 miles of EPA range. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range tops out around 312 miles. A minivan with 400 miles of range would be among the longest-range EVs available at any price point.
The D99 EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) offers a compelling alternative for those not ready to commit to pure electric driving. Built on an 800-volt platform, this version pairs an 80.3 kWh battery pack with a small combustion engine that acts purely as a generator to recharge the battery when depleted. That 80.3 kWh battery is the largest in any hybrid vehicle currently on the market, compared to 70 kWh for the Zeekr 9X EREV and 63.3 kWh for the upcoming Xpeng X9 EREV.
Leapmotor claims the D99 EREV will deliver up to 500 kilometers (approximately 311 miles) of pure electric driving before the range extender needs to activate. Details of the combustion engine supporting the range-extender setup haven’t been confirmed, though it’s likely to be a 1.5-liter four-cylinder similar to the one used in Leapmotor’s C10 EREV. Once the battery is depleted, the engine kicks in to generate electricity and extend total range effectively indefinitely.
This means most D99 EREV owners could drive for weeks without using any gasoline for typical daily driving, while still having the security of unlimited range for road trips. Leapmotor has confirmed next-generation high-voltage architectures (800V for EREV and up to 1000V for BEV), though charging speeds and times have not yet been announced.
The D99 follows Leapmotor’s design philosophy of simple, flowing lines without unnecessary complexity. The front end features a very short nose section and a windshield that stretches beyond the front axle, a configuration that should provide exceptional forward visibility, particularly helpful when navigating tight urban spaces or parking. Other notable design elements include retractable door handles, darkened B- and C-pillars that visually merge with the side glass to create a floating roof effect, and a full-width LED light bar at the rear with a futuristic design theme.
The overall aesthetic is modern and minimalist without being aggressively styled. It looks like a premium people-mover designed for families who value substance over flash. Full exterior dimensions have not yet been officially disclosed. The D99 is expected to sit in the large MPV segment, comparable in footprint to the Chrysler Pacifica and Buick GL8.
Leapmotor has demonstrated a dual Qualcomm Snapdragon Ride 8797 ADAS platform capable of up to 1,280 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of computational power, which is expected to underpin future flagship models including the D99. For context, that’s more processing power than many luxury vehicles currently offer.
The system supports VLA (Visual-Language-Action) large language models, meaning the D99’s AI can potentially understand natural language commands, interpret visual information from cameras, and take appropriate actions. While officially rated as Level 2 or Level 2+ autonomy (requiring driver supervision), the computational foundation is there for much more sophisticated capabilities.
Interior details remain limited, though Leapmotor has confirmed a focus on high-definition displays and comfort-oriented seating. The D99 is being positioned as a vehicle not just for families but for passengers who prefer to be driven rather than drive. The D99 is expected to offer multiple multi-row seating configurations, likely including six-seat and seven-seat layouts. Final configurations have not yet been confirmed.
In China, the D99 enters a crowded field of premium electric and extended-range minivans including the Xpeng X9, Zeekr 009, Li Auto Mega, and Geely Galaxy V900. All of these vehicles offer significantly more electric range, advanced technology, and luxury features than any minivan currently available in the United States.
Despite Stellantis’ access to Leapmotor’s EREV and BEV technology through its ownership stake, no plans currently exist to introduce these vehicles to the U.S. market. Current tariff policies on Chinese-manufactured vehicles, combined with the lack of a Leapmotor dealer network in America, make that unlikely in the near term. While Stellantis-backed Leapmotor International is responsible for global expansion, no European launch has yet been confirmed for the D99.
The D99’s existence raises uncomfortable questions about the American automotive industry’s priorities. If Stellantis can access a minivan with 310 miles of electric range and AI-powered autonomous features through its partnership, why isn’t that technology making its way into Chrysler products sold in America? The Pacifica has been on sale since 2017 with only minor updates. Its plug-in hybrid variant uses battery technology that was already outdated when it launched.
Leapmotor has not announced motor output figures, official pricing, or a launch date for the D99. The vehicle is expected to launch in China in 2025.
