Leapmotor A05 to challenge Geely E2
Stellantis-backed Leapmotor has introduced the new A05 in China. The 4.20-metre electric compact car comes with a 70 kW front-wheel-drive system and a 39.8 kWh LFP battery in its entry-level version. Leapmotor also plans to launch the model in Europe.
The Leapmotor A05, which will be sold internationally as the B03 and is set to be produced for the European market at the Stellantis plant in Figueruelas near Zaragoza, expands Leapmotor’s line-up with a compact model in the Golf segment. The model forms part of the Chinese manufacturer’s global expansion strategy, supported by its joint venture with Stellantis, and will compete in the compact segment alongside the brand’s larger crossover models.
Leapmotor has designed the A05 as a hatchback. At 4.20 metres long, 1.80 metres wide and 1.56 metres high, it sits in the compact segment and could potentially meet the criteria for the new M1E vehicle class that the EU plans to introduce with certain advantages. The A05 has a wheelbase of 2.61 metres, identical to that of the compact electric SUV B03X, known in China as the A10. Design features include a closed front end, partially recessed door handles and an optional two-tone paint finish.
For the Chinese market, Leapmotor offers the A05 with two powertrain variants, both using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The entry-level version combines a 70 kW electric motor with a 39.8 kWh battery, while the more powerful variant pairs a 90 kW motor with a 53 kWh battery. In both versions, Leapmotor mounts the permanent magnet synchronous motor on the front axle.
Leapmotor has designed the interior with a focus on space efficiency and flexibility. The A05 offers 33 storage compartments, as well as a 91-litre storage space under the load floor. The seating concept allows for several configurations, including a reclining position and foldable rear seats that can be combined with small tables. The model also features a pet mode.
The A05’s digital architecture uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip. The cockpit features an 8.88-inch driver display and a 14.6-inch touchscreen in the centre console. Other features include 256-colour ambient lighting, a twelve-speaker sound system and hands-free karaoke without a dedicated microphone. Leapmotor also offers higher trim levels with an optional lidar sensor for an advanced driver assistance system.
According to Chinese media, Leapmotor aims to position the new A05 as a direct rival to the Geely Xingyuan, which is generally marketed internationally as the Geely EX2. In Germany, the compact electric car is currently available as the Geely E2, with prices starting at €19,990.
Prices for the new Leapmotor A05 start at 63,900 yuan (€8,200) in China, putting it at a similar level to the Geely Xingyuan at 64,805 yuan (€8,300). However, Chinese prices are not directly comparable with European prices, where vehicles often cost two to three times as much. The Geely E2’s German starting price of €19,990 could therefore provide a reference point for the launch of the Leapmotor A05, or B03, in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. It remains unclear when the compact electric car will arrive in Europe.