Stellantis will begin manufacturing the Leapmotor B10 in Zaragoza this October, the same month the new Peugeot 208 will also arrive.

In next October, Stellantis’ plant in Figueruelas (Zaragoza) will begin manufacturing the new Leapmotor B10. It will also start pilot production of the third-generation Peugeot 208, although this model won’t go into mass production until mid-next year (so its launch is likely to take place in the first half of that year).

These are not the only models assigned to this Aragon facility, which will receive a total of five new vehicles within less than two years: in addition to the already mentioned Leapmotor B10 and Peugeot 208, there will be the Leapmotor B05, an Opel SUV based on the B10, and the new Opel Corsa. Both the 208 and Corsa will be built on the new STLA One platform and will be entirely electric.

Initially, the production of the gasoline-powered 208 and Corsa will continue alongside that of their electric counterparts for an indefinite period. The Lancia Ypsilon will also remain in production for a few more years, though it will be the only model based on the CMP platform to continue offering electric versions once the current E-208 and Corsa Electric models are phased out.

The new electric Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa are expected to have a maximum range of 500 km according to WLTP standards. They will be equipped with LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) batteries supplied by CATL, which is building a gigafactory near Figueruelas. Additionally, they will feature advancements such as a by-wire steering system (that is, without mechanical connection).

Opel’s new SUV based on the Leapmotor B10 might be called Antara

The Opel SUV, which will be approximately 4.50 meters long, could adopt the name Antara again. "We have already decided on the name we will use and will look for something very fitting from our own history," said Florian Huettl, Opel’s CEO, recently. The new model will sit between the Frontera and Grandland models.

We will use the fastest development processes and sequences created by Leapmotor, a Chinese company, to become more digital, with a clear division of responsibilities. Opel-Vauxhall engineers will oversee everything related to the transmission, steering systems, noise reduction, insulation, design, seats, lighting—in short, everything that defines our brand.

The electric version of the B10 features a 218 CV (160 kW) motor paired with two LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) batteries: the base model uses a 56.2 kWh battery pack, enabling an WLTP range of 361 km, while the higher-end version uses a 67.1 kWh battery pack for an WLTP range of 434 km. In terms of charging, both models take around 20 minutes to go from 30% to 80% charge, with peak continuous current ratings of 140 kW and 168 kW respectively. The model with an extended range option uses a gasoline engine and a 1.5-liter unit as a generator, along with an 18.8 kWh battery that provides an WLTP electric range of 86 km.

Source | La Tribuna de Automoción