Leapmotor B05 looking to tackle VW ID.3 ahead of Munich motor show debut

Leapmotor has published a series of teaser images of its upcoming Volkswagen ID.3 rival – the B05 – before a full reveal at next week’s Munich motor show.

This latest all-electric model from the Stellantis-backed Chinese manufacturer will sit between its existing line-up comprising the T03 city car and the C10 SUV. Scheduled to arrive in Europe early next year with a sub-£30k price starting price, the Leapmotor B05 promises a 260-mile range from a 67.1kWh battery, with a front-mounted motor producing 215bhp.

Also known as the Lafa 5 in China, the 4.3 metre-long Leapmotor B05 is a lower, cheaper version of the Leapmotor B10 crossover that’s set to arrive in the UK during the coming months.

In terms of design, the B05 adopts curved LED headlights, sculpted wings, retractable door handles, and a sporty roof spoiler not dissimilar to that of the now-discontinued VW Scirocco.

Inside, the B05’s cabin is expected to adopt the screen-heavy approach of the larger C10 and B10.

Leapmotor vice president, Cao Li, says the car is a “gift” for young motorists across the world, and that the company seems to “build a car for young people who refuse to settle, conform, or be ordinary”.

The Leapmotor B05 will be the fourth of six Leapmotor cars planned to be sold in the UK by 2020. The B05 will be following by the A10 crossover aimed squarely at the likes of the upcoming VW ID.2X crosover and the Skoda Epiq.

Leapmotor is one of the many Chinese brands offering its own in-house EV discount, with a £1,500 saving on a brand new T03, and a £3,750 on the C10. These price cuts slash the starting price of the former to £14,495 and £32,750 on the latter.