If you plan to buy the Leapmotor B05, wait: the brand is preparing an improved version with longer range and 800 volts.

The Leapmotor B05 is experiencing a remarkable commercial success in our country. So far this month, 381 units of this Chinese-made compact electric car have been delivered, making it the best-selling electric vehicle in the country in November. Starting next year, it will begin to be manufactured at Stellantis’ plant in Figueruelas (Zaragoza), where its SUV sibling, the B10, is already assembled.

The B05 falls into a category that has been declining for years—the compact cars in the C segment. Yet, this Asian model has managed to attract customers thanks to its very competitive starting price of 23,675 euros before any subsidies (the higher-end version with a larger battery costs 27,075 euros).

All variants are equipped with a 218 HP (160 kW) engine mounted at the rear. The two available batteries (with capacities of 56.2 and 67.1 kWh) are of the LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) type, while its range is between 401 and 482 km WLTP. Regarding charging, the base model (Pro) has a peak current of 156 kW and takes 16 minutes to go from 30% to 80% charge, whereas the higher-end model (ProMax) reaches 174 kW and requires 18 minutes to achieve the same charge level.

The Leapmotor B05 isn’t the most powerful compact electric car on the market; in fact, the CUPRA Born or the Renault Mégane E-Tech offer greater ranges (up to 625 and 502 km WLTP respectively). Its main advantage lies in its competitive price. That said, if you like this model, you might want to wait, as an improved version could arrive soon.

Ultra-fast charging for the Leapmotor B05?

In China, the B05 will soon see a major upgrade as it will feature a new 800-volt electric architecture. Adopting this technology could bring several improvements. Firstly, the propulsion system’s efficiency will increase, which in turn will positively affect energy consumption and thus range. Additionally, it should charge faster.

This new model is expected to achieve a maximum range of 660 km under CLTC conditions, up from 605 km CLTC for the current model (this improvement may be due to the adoption of new batteries, though nothing has been confirmed yet); therefore, if it makes its way to Europe, it could exceed the 500 km WLTP threshold, making it a more competitive option in its category.

The information published by some Chinese media also suggests the introduction of an improved electric motor with power outputs ranging from 245 HP (180 kW) to 252 HP (185 kW). Other updates include the addition of a head-up display with augmented reality, redesigned seats, and a 17.3-inch touchscreen (the current one is 14.6 inches). The company has not confirmed when this upgrade will reach the European market.

Source | CnEVPost