Leapmotor has taken the wraps off its next-generation LEAP 5.0 vehicle architecture at its 2026 Technology Day, introducing a trio of core technologies: the LWM (Leapmotor World Model) driver-assistance system, the MM-i multi-mode hybrid powertrain, and the CTC 3.0 high- and low-voltage integrated battery pack. The company also outlined plans for a second brand, whose first model is slated to debut in 2027, according to Chinese auto news outlet PCauto.
The LEAP 5.0 architecture is built around a reimagined physical space and the Clover 5.0 central-domain electronic architecture. It aims to deliver a new vehicle category with an interior space utilization rate exceeding 100%, a metric Leapmotor uses to describe how much of the car's footprint is usable cabin space. The architecture expands available space along the X, Y, and Z axes, addressing the issue of mechanical layouts from the internal-combustion era encroaching on passenger space.
A 14-valve super-domain thermal management system supports 48 switching modes and 54 energy interaction modes, with a winter heating output of 18 kW. The cabin can maintain constant temperature, humidity, and air quality, while seats and functional zones can be reconfigured for scenarios such as working, resting, or entertainment.
The Clover 5.0 electronic architecture adopts a central-integrated control approach, where a single central domain controller makes all decisions and other domain controllers only execute commands. This reduces the total wiring harness length to under 500 meters. Leapmotor claims it is the industry's first central-integrated electronic architecture to deploy full-vehicle 48V power and 10-gigabit Ethernet simultaneously.
World-model ADAS and hybrid tech
The LWM driver-assistance system uses a cloud-based foundation world model paired with a real-time on-vehicle world model, moving away from the traditional BEV (bird's-eye view) perception route. By using image-based representation, it eliminates the computational overhead of BEV conversion. Rule-based code is used only for traffic-law fallback, reducing overall code volume by 90%. The system includes a historical memory module that decouples inertia from real-time environment understanding to improve ride comfort.
The cloud foundation model is trained on massive scenarios to build a knowledge base, while the on-vehicle real-time model supports 200 TOPS, 640 TOPS, and 1280 TOPS computing platforms, allowing it to be fitted to models across price points, including vehicles around the 100,000 yuan (about $14,100) segment. Fleet learning enables one vehicle's experience with complex road conditions to be shared via the cloud to other vehicles. Leapmotor promises that all current lidar-equipped models will receive a lifetime free upgrade to the world-model system. As of August 2026, the company has delivered more than 300,000 vehicles with lidar and high-end ADAS chips.
The MM-i multi-mode hybrid powertrain marks Leapmotor's entry into the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) segment, a market the company believes will persist for another 5-10 years globally. The system uses three original designs: a generator that can also contribute to drive output, a coaxial dual-electromagnetic clutch, and intelligent dual-motor control. The generator-reuse architecture allows the generator to assist in driving when needed, boosting peak power to 206 kW (about 280 hp), a 28% improvement over comparable systems. The coaxial dual-clutch integration reduces the electric drive's Y-axis width to 313 mm and overall volume by 25%, with a total assembly weight of 106 kg, a 40% reduction. Power density reaches 1.94 kW/kg, and the system can be adapted to vehicles from A0 to D segments.
The control algorithm prioritizes electric drive, covering nine working modes across four operating conditions: pure electric, series, parallel, and engine direct drive. Shift response time drops from 400 ms to 150 ms, with microsecond-level torque compensation to avoid power interruptions. Drive efficiency is 91.5%, and maximum generation efficiency is 94.4%.
Battery tech open-sourced
The CTC 3.0 high- and low-voltage integrated battery eliminates the traditional 12V lead-acid battery, integrating low-voltage power supply into the high-voltage pack. This increases low-voltage power capacity by seven times, addressing issues of battery drain during long-term parking, and eliminates maintenance for the low-voltage system, saving owners an estimated 2,000 yuan (about $282) over the vehicle's lifetime. First owners receive a lifetime battery warranty.
Leapmotor says it is open-sourcing the CTC 3.0 patents to the industry, aiming to reduce environmental pollution from discarded lead-acid batteries. The battery product line covers packs from 28.4 kWh to 115 kWh, with annual production capacity of 1.5 million units.
In terms of business, Leapmotor reports monthly deliveries stable above 100,000 units, ranking third among domestic NEV brands and fourth globally among NEV sellers. Cumulative deliveries reached nearly 1.8 million units by August 2026. Overseas, the company operates in 45 countries and regions with over 1,000 stores, and has exported more than 200,000 vehicles. It has local production in Malaysia and Myanmar, with a CKD plant in Spain scheduled to begin production in October 2026. The company has been profitable for three and a half consecutive quarters, with net profit attributable to shareholders of 210 million yuan (about $29.6 million) in the first half of 2026.
