Leapmotor B05 News

The days of China playing catch-up with the rest of the automotive world are over.  Some of the oldest brands in the car industry are now able to learn from Chinese brands, as they look to become more competitive on price and with the latest generation of electric vehicles. One of the companies at the centre of this new dynamic is Stellantis, the multinational group that combines Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Maserati, Jeep, Opel and more under the one umbrella. Since 2023, Stellantis has had a stake in Chinese brand Leapmotor and has begun selling its vehicles in global markets - including Australia. The initial offering, the C10 SUV, was met with less-than-glowing reviews and since then the two sides of the joint-venture have begun to work more closely together. Stellantis is teaching Leapmotor how to build cars more appealing to European and Australian customers, but Leapmotor is also able to teach its own lessons, too. That’s according to Francesco Giacalone, Leapmotor International Head of Product and Marketing, who said the information and learnings flow both ways between Europe and China. “ For what concern Leapmotor, what we are seeing is that there are, in this moment, more and more interactions in terms of vehicle customisation,” Giacalone said. “So there are Stellantis teams of chassis, dynamic performance that are constantly visiting Leapmotor to help to improve the Leapmotor products for the overseas markets. "They are as a Stellantis team acquiring experience about how Leapmotor develop the products and in concrete terms, helping Leapmotor to be more efficient and fit to the customer in overseas markets. "At the same time, they are learning component by component what can be picked from Leapmotor as let's say low-hanging fruits or a bit more complex to integrate in the Stellantis architecture.” The launch of the more European-focused B05 hatchback and the new B03X compact SUV are signs of the European and Chinese sides of the business working together to shape a more globally friendly offering.  The B05 is due to arrive in Australian showrooms before the end of 2026. Pricing has already been announced, with the all-electric hatchback set to start from $35,990 drive-away for the base car, while the long-range variant will start at $39,990 drive-away. That means it won’t be the cheapest EV on sale in its segment, the GWM Ora 5 starts at just $33,990 drive-away, but it does feature a 160kW/240Nm electric motor, rear-wheel drive layout and the tuning was largely done in Europe with the help of Stellantis - combining the best of both sides of the partnership. While Giacalone didn’t reveal exactly what cars Leapmotor has planned for the Australian market, he did hint at offering cars tailored to our tastes, and even indicated a ute is under investigation. So expect more examples of affordable, European-tuned but Chinese-built cars, like the B05 and B03X to become increasingly common in the coming years.

Leapmotor has responded to alleged camera security risks in its cars in Australia.  An ABC Four Corners report revealed Leapmotor vehicles use Dahua cameras, which were removed from Australian federal and defence sites in 2023 and 2025 Cameras are a key component of the tech-focused electric car brands such as Leapmotor. They provide more visibility and greater safety for drivers, including features like a 360-degree view camera and are critical in the push for self-driving cars. Former national cybersecurity advisor Alastair MacGibbon told the ABC electric car microphones and cameras are an ideal surveillance device.  A spokesperson for Stellantis Australia, parent company of Leapmotor, confirmed to CarsGuide Dahua cameras are fitted in Leapmotor vehicles. They said the brand takes cybersecurity, customer privacy and data protection seriously. Dahua cameras fitted in Leapmotor vehicles are used exclusively to support functionality and safety related features. “The system is not designed to record or store footage as part of its normal operation, nor is it designed to upload camera data to the cloud or transmit it to third parties,” a Stellantis Australia spokesperson said. “Any video recording functionality is customer controlled, and storage requires the use of an external USB device.” Leapmotor vehicles undergo independent cybersecurity assessment and certification, according to the brand. In February 2023 an audit found more than 900 surveillance camera units built by Chinese government-linked companies Hikvision and Dahua were being used in government workplaces. The government said it removed these security cameras due to national security concerns because Dahua is partially owned by the Chinese government and has ties to intelligence laws.  The United States and United Kingdom also moved to remove Dahua cameras from its key government infrastructure. 

Leapmotor could be a sleeping giant on the cusp of a global sales surge despite its slow start in Australia. Unlike its headline-grabbing rivals BYD, Geely, and Chery, Leapmotor has struggled for traction locally. Yet overseas, efforts to make its model range more globally appealing have granted the brand strong growth which, according to sales data compiled by Nikkei Asia, now means it outsold once-giants like Mitsubishi and Subaru in the most recent quarter of the year. Now projected to sell one million vehicles for the full year 2026, the brand is up 84 per cent globally and is set to surpass both Mitsubishi and Subaru over the same time period. Much of this, Nikkei reports, is down to the brand rapidly carving up markets in Europe where both local giants and Japanese imports are struggling to compete with Leapmotor’s aggressive pricing and rapid rollout with the help of Peugeot owner Stellantis, which has a significant stake in the Chinese fledgling. You could hardly tell in Australia, where Leapmotor has hardly had the same impact as its big-name Chinese rivals. Locally it is up an incredible-sounding 168.2 per cent, but its 1022 units so far is off the back of a very low sales base after the misfire of its original C10 electric mid-sizer, and a slow but improved start for the smaller B10. The C10 has moved 331 units in 2026, down 13.1 per cent, paling in comparison to the very similar Geely EX5 which has managed 10,737 units over the same period, and this is despite the introduction of a range-extender hybrid variant to the range. The B10 meanwhile has moved 677 units locally, against the better-selling Jaecoo J5 which has done roughly 10 times that in fully electric form. Leapmotor’s yearly total of just 1022 units (supplemented by the recent addition of early examples of the B05 hatchback), is a far cry from Mitsubishi’s 30,476 total, or Subaru’s 19,125. However, things can change quickly. Not only has the B10 hugely improved Leapmotor’s sales year-on-year, but Mitsubishi, Subaru, and even Nissan are on the way down in the face of Leapmotor’s contemporaries, which are carving up the top-10-selling new car brands in Australia. Subaru and Nissan have already been booted out of the top-10, while Mitsubishi is barely holding on. Leapmotor, meanwhile will be hoping to capitalise on its momentum for the rest of 2026 thanks to the arrival of its B05 Golf-sized hatchback and B03X compact crossover, which is shaping up to be Australia’s most affordable new electric SUV. When it gets here in the fourth quarter, the brand said it will be priced at around $30,000, drive-away, to undercut natural rivals like the BYD Atto 2, which currently costs $31,990, before on-roads. For 2027 the brand could have more up its sleeve too, with the D19 large SUV. Measuring in at over five meters long and featuring a range-extended hybrid powertrain, it also features EV-sized batteries for big electric driving range and combined power output of up to 300kW/520Nm. Stay tuned for more on Leapmotor’s expansion plans as it rolls out the B05 and B03X for the remainder of 2026.

It has never been cheaper for buyers considering an EV in Australia.  Increased demand and more efficient development processes have reduced the prices of electric cars in Australia significantly.  Carmakers continue to battle it out to go cheaper than their rivals, with options now appearing below the $30,000 mark. Some affordable EVs are even cheaper than traditional petrol-powered budget examples.  The BYD Atto 1 has maintained its title as the cheapest electric car in Australia. The compact SUV starts from $23,990, with top-spec models costing $27,990, both before on-road costs. Until the end of the year, the BYD Atto 1 Essential grade is just $19,990 drive-away, making it not just the cheapest EV but the cheapest car in Australia. The Atto 1’s single electric motor only produces 65kW and 175Nm as standard, while its 30kWh battery is good for more than 200km of driving range (WLTP).  The newest member of the below $30,000 club is the Geely EX2, which has already surged towards the top of the sales charts in Australia.  The rear-wheel drive EX2 starts from $26,490, with the range-topping variant priced from $30,990, both before on-road costs.  The base variant has 60kW and 150Nm from a single electric motor, along with a 35kWh battery offering 252km. GAC will launch a short-range version of its Aion UT in late 2026 that is expected to be less than $30,000, as well.  The Atto 1 and Geely EX2 use before on-road costs pricing, so buyers will have to spend an extra up to $5000 on registration and other costs to drive it out of the showroom.  The MG4 Urban is the cheaper front-wheel drive sibling of the MG4, available with a sharp drive-away price of $31,990. Its 110kW and 250Nm as standard bests its cheaper competition, while its more than 316km of driving range is hard to look past at its price point.  While GAC’s short-range Aion UT is not here yet, the current ‘Premium’ grade starts from $31,990 (drive-away).  The Aion UT boasts an electric motor that makes 150kW and 210Nm, besting the MG4 Urban with a quoted riving range of more than 400km from its 60kWh battery. The GWM Ora 5 SUV is available from $33,990, drive-away, as a new cheaper replacement for the Ora hatch. The Ora 5 makes 150kW and 260Nm from its single electric motor. BYD’s affordable EVs continue down the list, with the Dolphin hatchback ($29,990) and the bigger Atto 2 small SUV ($31,990), both before on-road costs.  Leapmotor’s B05 is the brand’s cheapest car on sale, and currently is available with a $35,990, drive-away price until 30 September 2026.  The B05 is a smaller SUV compared to mid-sized Leapmotor’s B10 with its fully-electric variant kicking off from $38,990, drive-away, also until 30 September 2026.  The Jaecoo J5's proportions are on the larger end of the small SUV scale, making it a compelling proposition at $36,990, drive-away.  The J5 has had a strong start to life in Australia, and the best-selling small SUV for May 2026.  

Two affordable EVs have learned their safety fate in Australia.  The Geely EX2 and Leapmotor B05 electric hatchbacks have provided buyers with some new options in the budget-focused electric car space.  They have now both been tested under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program’s (ANCAP) new 2026 protocols.   They are among the first to be tested using the revamped criteria that places a great focus on preventing accidents and safe driving.  The B05 is Leapmotor’s newest and most affordable model put on sale in Australia, starting from $35,990 (drive-away).  It achieved a five-star overall rating from ANCAP.  ANCAP emphasised the hatchback’s strong crash avoidance performance, heaping praise on its lane departure warning and auto emergency braking systems. The watchdog said Leapmotor needed to improve in scenarios involving pedal misapplication and driveway runover risks.  The B05 impressed with its crash protection, achieving a 92 per cent rating, with ANCAP highlighting a well-designed vehicle structure and restraints. ANCAP said the B05 demonstrated capability in the safe driving category, which evaluates driver assist features and hazard awareness, but it said there was room for improvement.  The Geely EX2 has already proven to be one of the most popular EVs so far, with the compact hatch amassing nearly 500 registrations in August, having only gone on sale in late July.  It is priced as one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, starting from just $26,490 (before on-road costs), putting it into competition with the BYD Atto 1 (from $23,990) and larger GAC Aion UT (from $31,990).  The EX2 was awarded a five-star rating from ANCAP, with the watchdog praising its monitoring system that detects occupants wearing their seatbelts incorrectly.  ANCAP also said its active safety software, including auto emergency braking and lane keep assist performed well, while it wasn’t so successful in some low-speed situations.  The EX2 provided good protection in front and side impact collisions despite an elevated risk of driver leg injury in frontal offset testing.  Pedestrian and other road user safety was impressive on the EX2, according to ANCAP, praising its small size and increased front crush space in the absence of an engine.  ANCAP’s Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said these results demonstrate cheaper EVs shouldn’t mean they are less safe.  “These results show that choosing a more affordable electric vehicle doesn’t have to mean compromising on safety, Ms Hoorweg said.” “The Leapmotor B05 and Geely EX2 have got the fundamentals right, delivering good crash protection, effective crash avoidance technology and important safety features as standard. “With more brands and models entering the Australian and New Zealand markets, safety is another area where manufacturers need to compete.”

The hatchback is making a comeback courtesy of China, with one newcomer brand reporting pre-orders of its warmed-over electric hatch far outstripping those of the SUVs in its lineup. That brand is Leapmotor, which is poised to launch the B05 in Australia before the end of the year, with the warm electric hatch likely (though not yet confirmed) to be followed by a more bonkers Ultra version that will take all-electric aim at models like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N. Leapmotor sells two other SUVs in Australia, the C10 and B10, both offered with full electric and REEV petrol-electric powertrains. But demand for the electric-only B05 is so far outstripping both. "The B05 has delivered our strongest customer response to date across the brand – reinforcing the growing appeal of the Leapmotor," a company spokesperson told CarsGuide. The company won't be drawn on exact order numbers, but the B10 SUV is the brand's strongest performing vehicle so far this year, delivering 511 units, so it would be safe to assume that, if demand keeps up following the B05's actual launch, the hatchback will achieve bigger numbers. The B05 starts from $35,990 drive-away, and is fairly unique in terms of Chinese launches in Australia, in that Aus-delivered cars have had their chassis and suspension tuned by Alfa Romeo in Italy – Stellantis co-owns Leapmotor – which promises a more cohesive, sportier ride. "We have, after some assessments done in November, lowered the hook point of the suspension arms on the rear, and lowered the centre of gravity, and the car has totally changed behaviour. So if you drive a BO5 in Europe versus BO5 for China, it’s totally different," the brand has previously told CarsGuide. It will be joined by other newcomer hatchbacks in Australia, like the Geely EX2, BYD Dolphin, Aion UT and the GWM Ora, as Chinese brands flood into a market segment abandoned by some mainstream players.

China’s latest budget electric car is about to hit Aussie showrooms. The Leapmotor B05 is priced from $35,990 (drive-away), placing it in close proximity to the GWM Ora 5 (from $33,990, drive-away) and MG4 (from $39,990, drive-away). There is also a long-range variant of the B05 available, starting from $39,990 (drive-away), making it $4000 more than the base car. All variants have a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 240Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of less than seven seconds. The long-range B05 comes with a 67kWh battery that provides a driving range of 482km, while a 56kWh unit in the base car offers 401km, both according to WLTP standards.  These strong range figures for the hatchback are in part due to the car only being offered in a rear-wheel drive set-up.  The car has DC charging capabilities at up to 174kW, meaning it can charge from 30-80 per cent in under 20 minutes on both variants.  On the inside, there is a 14.6-inch central touchscreen display and an 8.8-inch digital driver display. It is also equipped with a wireless phone charger as standard, accompanied by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  The long-range grade adds a fixed panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade, synthetic leather seats and a premium 12-speaker sound system. It also introduces electrically adjustable seats, with the front ones heated, as well as a heated steering wheel. Leapmotor said the B05 will arrive in Australia in late August 2026. It will join Leapmotor’s growing model line-up in Australia which includes electric and range-extender variants of its B10 and C10 SUVs.  The B10 and C10 have been slow sellers in Australia as they target cheaper and more popular petrol-powered alternatives and face tough competition on the price front from Geely and BYD. Leapmotor will continue to bring across more models to Australia over the next 18 months, including the B03X compact SUV and the D19 large SUV. There is also a hot hatch variant of the B05 called the 'Ultra' being developed in China that could be on its way to Australia to top-out the range in the coming years as a new rival to the MG4 XPower.

China is now taking aim at the world's affordable performance icons, with a cut-price hot hatch looming that could tempt buyers from a Hyundai i30 N or Ioniq 5 N and a VW Golf GTI or R. The model in question is the Leapmotor B05 Ultra, which has been revealed in China as an all-electric hot hatch producing 180kW and 320Nm, and sprinting to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds. That is just the beginning, with the Chinese hot hatch to be handed over to Stellantis' (and specifically Alfa Romeo's) chassis engineers to deliver a European-class hot hatch that could be a true bang-for-bucks bargain. That's the word from Leapmotor's Head of Commercial Operations in Europe, Danilo Annese, who says the "sky is the limit" for the Ultra. "It is not sure that it will be exactly the one you see in China. In the sense that it is Ultra and it should be Ultra," says Annese. "We are discussing that (Europe's Ultra) is not that car. It is not the Chinese car, (that) is a body kit. And we want to do it a little bit better than that. But the sky is the limit. Let's see what we can do." "We are working on the other things now to see what we can have as a package." It is understood that the changes aren't just limited to chassis tuning, but could also include bespoke hardware, and a further power boost. "Those are the discussions," Annese says. The export-ready B05 Ultra will be ready in the first half of 2027, with the softer variant - named simply the B05 - launching in Australia at the end of the year. Pricing promises to be sharp, too, with the first B05 launching at around $35,000 in our market.

Chinese brand Leapmotor says buttons are on the verge of an in-car comeback as China’s army of automotive manufacturers further tailor their vehicles for international tastes. That’s the word from Frederik Dallmeyer, Lead Exterior Designer at Leapmotor International, who says customer tastes are causing a rethink on featureless cabins in which all functions are controlled through a central screen. Leapmotor has already begun launching work-arounds, in which shortcuts take a driver straight to the most important functions, like changing the wing-mirror position, but says the next generation of vehicles could feature a return to toggles and switches. "I can't be concrete about it. (But) if the tastes of the market dictate that buttons are a must-have, then yes, but let’s see,” he says. “My personal preference is that I like to also have quick access to things. So yeah, I think that’s something that will be worked on.” Asked when Leapmotor vehicles could return to easy-access functionality in its cabins, the designer replied: “I think it’s the next generation.” It has long been thought that the Chinese domestic market’s preference for screen-heavy interior would effectively strong-arm the rest of the world into adopting the same cabin layouts, given the size of China’s export market.  The country is now the biggest country of origin for vehicles sold in Australia, with as many as one in three vehicles sold here made in China, depending on the month. But Mr Dallmeyer suggested that wasn’t necessarily the case, with the designer not ruling out individual cabin treatments for domestic and global markets, while also suggesting Chinese tastes could be changing. “I think that depends a little bit on how things were to evolve in China because China is always a very quickly evolving market,” he said. “Tastes change, preferences change. Maybe it’s not necessary, like if more physical functions are also appreciated in that market.”

Chinese brand Leapmotor's most performance-focused model to date is firming for an Australian launch, with the B05 Ultra on the cards to follow the regular B05's launch later this year.