Leapmotor is wasting no time making a name for itself in Europe. The Stellantis-backed Chinese EV brand has confirmed it will pull the covers off its latest model—the Leapmotor B05, a compact electric hatchback—at the Munich motor show next month.
Targeting one of the toughest battlegrounds in the EV world, the B05 is designed to take on heavyweights like the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born, and MG4 EV. Compact, affordable, and tech-focused, the B05 could be Leapmotor’s most important European launch yet.
Part of a Bigger Expansion
The B05 is one of three new models Leapmotor plans to release over the next two years, joining another hatchback and a small SUV. The car is a close relative of the B01 sedan revealed earlier this year and sits on the company’s modular Leap 3.5 platform, which underpins the larger C10 SUV. That means we can expect a claimed 650 km (404-mile) range—a figure that would place it near the top of the compact EV class.
Alongside the B05, Leapmotor is also preparing the B10 crossover, positioned as a rival to the Ford Explorer EV and Peugeot e-3008, while an entry-level crossover called the A10 and its hatchback sibling, the A05, will join the lineup as budget EV alternatives. Leapmotor has ambitious plans: six models on sale in the UK by 2027.
Accessible Technology, Premium Feel
If Leapmotor follows its established playbook, the B05 will offer a blend of sharp styling, high-tech features, and affordability. Expect wraparound LED light bars, sport-inspired wheels, and an aero-optimized profile. Inside, the B05 is tipped to share the same 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and premium material choices found in the C10.
Pricing remains under wraps, but given Leapmotor’s “Excellence within reach” philosophy, industry insiders expect a starting point below £30,000. That would give it a strong price advantage over many European rivals, while still packing long range and advanced tech.
A Rapidly Rising Brand
Founded just a decade ago, Leapmotor is already a major player in its home market and abroad. The brand now boasts nearly 1,500 retail sites worldwide and was the 11th most popular EV maker globally in 2024. With backing from Stellantis and an aggressive product rollout, Leapmotor is targeting a spot among the world’s top five EV brands by 2027.
Whether the B05 will include the company’s new range-extender hybrid system—debuted on the C10—remains to be seen. Executives say they’ll wait for European market feedback before deciding.
Why It Matters
The B05 could be one of the first Chinese EVs to make real inroads into Europe’s fiercely competitive compact hatchback market. If it delivers on range, tech, and pricing, Leapmotor might just have the formula to disrupt the dominance of Volkswagen and its European peers.
Munich will provide the first real glimpse of whether Leapmotor’s big ambitions—and the B05 itself—can live up to the hype.
Source: Leapmotor