Leapmotor has presented the B03 at the Paris Motor Show, previewing a subcompact electric hatchback that is expected to enter European sales in 2027. Positioned above the T03 and below the B03X crossover, the B03 is aimed at buyers seeking strong performance, range and equipment at a relatively accessible price.

The model is known as the B05 in China, where it costs less than €7,500 and can be equipped with lidar-based driver assistance technology. The European version does not include lidar and is expected to carry a target price of approximately €25,000.

Performance and charging

European-market B03 models will use a 53-kWh battery with a claimed WLTP range of 242 miles, or 389 kilometers. That figure is competitive with the Volkswagen ID. Polo and Renault 5, although those cars can match or exceed it in other configurations.

A single electric motor produces 191 horsepower, allowing the B03 to reach 62 mph in 7.6 seconds. That acceleration figure places it close to the Alpine A290 GT, which is listed as only two-tenths of a second quicker.

The B03 also supports charging at up to 133 kW. Leapmotor says the battery can go from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes, giving the hatchback a charging advantage over the Renault and Volkswagen alternatives mentioned in the source.

Practical equipment

The B03 offers more cargo flexibility than its compact dimensions might suggest. Its trunk is larger than the Renault 5’s, while the Volkswagen Polo has a larger cargo area. However, the B03 is the only one of the three described as offering a passenger seat that folds completely flat for carrying long items.

An additional underfloor storage compartment is designed for wet or muddy footwear and clothing. Standard equipment is also expected to include automatic LED headlights, electrically folding mirrors, a heated six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heat pump and vehicle-to-load capability.

Simple exterior, digital cabin

The B03 uses a restrained exterior design, while its interior follows a layout seen in several other Chinese vehicles. The dashboard combines a 14.6-inch central touchscreen with an 8.8-inch digital instrument display, alongside voice controls for multiple vehicle functions.

Leapmotor is partly owned by Stellantis. While the European B03 gives up some of the Chinese-market car’s technology, its combination of claimed range, acceleration, charging speed and equipment is intended to make it a value-focused alternative when European sales begin in 2027.