Leapmotor has unveiled its Corolla-sized electric hatchback at the Munich motor show, and it’s heading Down Under.
Electric Cars
Leapmotor used the Munich motor show to unveil its small hatchback rival to cars like the MG 4 and BYD Dolphin.
The Leapmotor B05 hatchback is the third in Leapmotor’s B-Series range, which includes the B10 small SUV and B01 small sedan in overseas markets.
The B05 adopts a conventional five-door hatchback shape, with a smooth and flowing design similar to that of the B10 and larger C10 SUVs, but with a lower ride height and roofline.
The B05 is positioned as a sporty small hatchback, with frameless door glass and 19-inch black alloy wheels among its sporty styling cues.
The platform underpinning the hatchback is Leapmotor’s in-house LEAP 3.5 chassis, which features an 800-volt electric system and rear-motor, rear-wheel drive packaging.
Other models in the B-Series range offer a choice of 132kW or 160kW motors, but the B05 has only been announced with the more powerful 160kW motor.
A choice of 52.6 or 67.1kWh batteries will be offered, relating to driving range ratings of 361 or 434km respectively.
With an overall length of 4430mm, and with a 2735mm the Leapmotor B05 falls at the larger end of the C-segment it’s designed to fit into.
It’s dimensions make it 130mm shorter overall than a Honda Civic, with a matching wheelbase, but 143mm longer than an MG 4, with a 30mm longer wheelbase.
Leapmotor also claims the 1880mm width makes it the widest in its segment, some 72mm wider than an MG 4, and wider than medium segment cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Toyota Camry.
The Leapmotor B05 has been designed with a focus on European markets, where small hatchbacks remain popular, despite the growth in SUV sales.
Production for the B05 is set to take place in Spain, making it only the second Leapmotor model to be built outside of China, the first is the smaller T03 hatch, built in Poland.
Leapmotor Australia has confirmed that the B05 is due in Australia in mid-2026, but specifications for Australian-bound versions are yet to be confirmed.
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Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
