£27k Leapmotor B05 electric hatchback could reach 280 miles on a single charge
The fourth Leapmotor model to hit the UK market will be the B05, and it could reach up to 280 miles of range...
On sale 2026 Price from £27,000 (est)
When the Nintendo Switch hit the market in 2017, it provided a more affordable alternative to bulkier, pricey consoles, but it still delivered a high-quality gaming experience and was hugely popular among young buyers – and in many ways, the upcoming Leapmotor B05 will seek to do the same thing, with a keen price tag and performance to rival some more expensive models on sale today.
Indeed, the Leapmotor B05 electric hatchback will arrive to take on the likes of the VW ID 3, MG4 and Peugeot e-208 next year, slotting in between the Chinese brand’s B10 electric SUV (due later this year) and T03 small car.
It's likely that the B05 will be underpinned by the same tech that's on the B10, meaning it could get a choice of two batteries: a 56.2kWh unit and a larger 67.1kWh unit.
In the B10, those batteries yield official ranges of 224 and 269 miles respectively, but given that the B05 hatchback will be a smaller, lighter car, we could see figures closer to 280 miles. That would make it more efficient than entry-level versions of the ID 3 and MG4, but both of those cars come with longer-range options than can officially travel more miles on a single charge.
It’s anticipated that power will come from the same front-mounted 215bhp motor as in the B10, which would give the B05 a similar amount of punch to its main rivals, and slightly faster acceleration than its larger sibling.
It’s unlikely that the B05 will get the same range-extender option available in the larger Leapmotor C10, which uses a plug-in hybrid-like system with a petrol engine to charge up the battery instead of driving the wheels, given the fact that they will likely be underpinned by different technology.
Outside, the B05 gets a similar profile to the larger B10, with thin LED headlights, a light bar spanning the width of the rear and flush door handles. However, compared with its bigger sibling, the B05 is lower-slung, with a more rakish roofline.
Inside, it’s likely to get the same minimalistic treatment as the B10 (pictured below), with a large 14.6in central infotainment touchscreen where you can find controls for most features including air-con and side mirrors. There’s also an 8.8in digital instrument display, and scrollers on the steering wheel.
The Leapmotor B05 will be fully revealed this month, and is due to go on sale next year. Prices are expected to start at less than £30,000, which would put it in a competitive position, undercutting the Peugeot e-208 and VW ID 3.
