Leapmotor B05: the Chinese compact that arrives with rear-wheel drive and crushes prices

Some arrivals don't go unnoticed. The Leapmotor B05 is one of them. Imagine a compact electric vehicle measuring 4.43 m, rear-wheel drive, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds… and priced from just 25,400 €. On paper, it looks like a provocation. In reality, it's the new weapon of the Sino-European Leapmotor-Stellantis partnership to shake up the electric C-segment. And let's be clear from the start: the competition has every reason to worry.

A young brand, a powerful sponsor

Leapmotor may not ring a bell, and that's normal. The brand was born in December 2015 in Hangzhou, founded by Zhu Jiangming and Fu Liquan, two co-founders of Dahua Technology, a Chinese video surveillance giant. The name "leap" evokes the leap toward electrification — quite a program. First car sold in 2019, and already a house philosophy: develop everything in-house, from components to software.

The decisive turning point came on October 26, 2023, when Stellantis announced an investment of approximately 1.5 billion euros to become the lead shareholder of the manufacturer, with a stake of around 20%. This gave rise to Leapmotor International, a joint venture held 51% by Stellantis and 49% by Leapmotor, which holds exclusive sales and manufacturing rights for Leapmotor products outside of China. In practical terms, this structure provides the Chinese brand with a ready-made European distribution network, backed by Stellantis. A way to make a name for itself without starting from scratch.

The B05, Europe's fourth musketeer

After the T03, C10 and the compact SUV B10, the B05 is the fourth Leapmotor model designed for Europe. The sedan was presented at the Munich Auto Show in 2025, before being shown again, in a more refined version, at the Brussels Auto Show in January 2026. Orders officially opened in France in May 2026.

And here's the surprise: Leapmotor didn't hold back. The B05 is a compact hatchback measuring 4.43 m long, 1.88 m wide and 1.52 m tall, with an XXL wheelbase of 2.74 m. The result is first-class roominess for the category… at the expense of a somewhat cramped boot of 345 liters under the parcel shelf. You can't have it all.

In terms of style, the brand embraces the "sporty" register: frameless doors in coupe fashion, flush door handles, 19-inch alloy wheels from the entry level, three-bar light signature and a crossbar light strip at the rear. The aerodynamic work is serious, with a drag coefficient of 0.26 achieved notably thanks to an active grille shutter.

Rear-wheel drive and two batteries on the menu

Here's the detail that makes driving enthusiasts smile: the B05 is rear-wheel drive. At this price point, it's become extremely rare. The engine, mounted on the rear axle, develops 218 hp (160 kW) and 240 Nm of torque, for an ideal 50/50 weight distribution. The chassis was co-developed with Stellantis experts, and the 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 6.7 seconds. The car is based on the Leap 3.5 platform, shared with its cousin the Leapmotor compact SUV B10.

Two LFP batteries are available. The Pro version features a 56.2 kWh battery for 401 km of WLTP range, while the ProMax goes up to 67.1 kWh and 482 km. For charging, an 11 kW AC charger is standard, and DC charging power ranges, depending on versions and sources, from approximately 140 to 170 kW. Nothing revolutionary, but decent for the price. Bonus: heat pump and V2L function (powering an external device from the battery) are standard.

Prices that hurt the competition

Let's talk money, since that's the killer argument. The Life trim starts at 25,400 € with the smaller battery, 27,400 € with the larger one. The Design trim, reserved for the 67.1 kWh battery, tops out at 28,400 €. Even at the top, you stay under 29,000 €.

At these prices, the B05 is taking aim at the Renault Megane E-Tech, the MG4, the BYD Dolphin Surf… and even its in-house cousins Peugeot e-308 and Opel Astra Electric. A wolf in sheep's clothing, as they say. One small reservation to note: produced in China, the B05 does not benefit from the enhanced ecological bonus, although the final amount will depend on the aid scheme in effect at the time of purchase.

In summary

The Leapmotor B05 has all the hallmarks of a game-changer: generous dimensions, rear-wheel-drive architecture, full equipment and rock-bottom pricing. It's exactly the kind of car that reshuffles a segment. To discover the complete specifications and browse the Leapmotor B05 brochure on Brochure Auto, or to compare it with its older sister the Leapmotor B10, the documentation for this unconventional Chinese compact awaits you.