Leapmotor will be a name unfamiliar to many in the UK, however, their obscurity has done noting to dampen their ambition. The Chinese automaker is collaborating with manufacturing titans Stellantis, who own the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Vauxhall, and Alfa Romeo, to expand their operations into the lucrative European and UK markets. Leapmotor have pledged to bring six unique models to British shores by 2027. The fourth of these will be the recently unveiled B05, which will sit between the larger C10 crossover, whose arrival is imminent, and the existing T10 city car.
Leapmotor claims that the B05 is aimed at younger drivers, who they envision as a “new generation of urban trendsetters”. To generate appeal with the youth of today, the Chinese firm have taken the B10 and reconfigured it into a sportier, lower-slung hatchback with 19-inch alloy wheels, flush door handles, and a light bar that extends across the rear of the vehicle. This sleek and streamlined design imbues the B05 with what Leapmotor have dubbed as a “futuristic but grounded” look.
To further amplify its sporty profile, the B05 is also quite a broad vehicle at nearly 1.9 metres in width, making it one of the widest in its segment, and is both longer and lower down than the Volkswagen ID.3. In terms of proportions, the B05 is akin to the Peugeot e-308 and Vauxhall Astra Electric. Although specifications have not yet been confirmed, the electric hatchback will count among its adversaries the BYD Dolphin, VW ID.3, and MG 4 EV.
It is expected that the new Leapmotor will share the Leap 3.5 platform that underpins its larger stablemate, which means that the B05 will benefit from the improved rigidity and comfort unlocked by integrating the battery into the chassis.
The B10, whose deliveries will start during the winter of this year, is currently offered with a single 215 bhp electric motor that is mounted on the front axle, and a choice of 56 kWh and 67 kWh batteries that provide 224 and 270 miles of range respectively. If the B05 does utilise the same architecture as the B10, these specifications will transfer over, making it one of the punchiest and most efficient in its class, and giving it access to rapid 168 kW charging. However, because the B05 is lighter, its range and acceleration should be slightly boosted.
Unsurprisingly, the minimalist, tech-heavy interior characteristic of the B10 should be adopted by its smaller sibling. As a result, the B05 will be equipped with a gargantuan 14.6-inch “floating” infotainment touchscreen and accompanying 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. In all their existing vehicles, Leapmotor have been lavish with premium features such as wireless charging, heated front seats, and panoramic sunroofs. Thus, it seems safe to bet that many of these will make their way onto the B05. Storage should also come in abundance thanks to the 22 separate compartments scattered throughout the B10.
Based off the pricing of Leapmotor’s other models and where the B05 sits in the lineup, a price-tag of around £27,000 is a good prediction. The two models to complete Leapmotor’s promise of six vehicles will be cheaper still, with the first being a VW ID Cross rivalling small SUV dubbed the A10, and the second a supermini called the A05, which will be positioned around the £20,000 mark.