Leapmotor B05 praised as 'China's Golf'
- Leapmotor’s new B05 hatch reached Europe this week with first drives from Autocar and CAR, both framing it as a cheap, Golf-sized EV contender. - The headline spec is strong for the money — 215 bhp, a 67.1 kWh battery, up to 300 miles WLTP, and pricing from €26,900. - It matters because Stellantis is using local Spanish assembly to dodge EU tariffs and push a Chinese-designed hatch straight into VW territory.
Cheap electric hatchbacks are back in the conversation — and this one is aimed right at the bit of the market Europe still cares about most. The Leapmotor B05 is a Golf-sized EV from the Chinese brand tied to Stellantis, and the first early drives landed on April 28 and 29. The broad verdict is simple: this thing looks more serious than a bargain-bin curiosity, but it still has to prove itself on real European roads. That’s why the “China’s Golf” line landed so hard. (autocar.co.uk) ### What is the B05, exactly? It’s a compact electric hatchback — not an SUV, not a crossover with fake hatchback vibes. In China it’s called the Lafa 5, but internationally it becomes B05 so it fits Leapmotor’s lineup next to the B10 SUV. Size-wise, it sits right in classic family-hatch territory at just under 4.5 meters long, which is why reviewers keep reaching for Golf and ID.3 comparisons. (autocar.co.uk) ### Why are people calling it “China’s Golf”? Partly because of the shape, partly because that’s the job. Autocar said the styling has clear hints of Volkswagen’s long-running family hatch, and CAR made basically the same point, saying the whole car carries a strong Golf theme. But the more important compa(autocar.co.uk)autocar.co.uk) ### What are the actual specs? For Europe and the UK, the key version gets a rear-mounted motor with 215 bhp and a 67.1 kWh battery. Autocar says that means 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds, up to 300 miles on the WLTP cycle, and fast charging up to 170 kW. Carscoops puts the European range figure at 482 km, or 300 miles, and says 30-80% charging can take as little as 17 minutes. In other words — the numbers are not the weak point. (autocar.co.uk) ### Why is the price such a big deal? Because Stellantis and Leapmotor are going in low. In Italy, the B05 starts at €26,900 before incentives and tops out at €30,900. That puts it thousands below the VW ID.3, Renault Megane E-Tech, and even Stellantis’ own Peugeot E-308 in that market. Basically, this is not a premium-priced Chinese experiment. It’s a direct undercut. (carscoops.com) ### How is it getting that cheap? The catch — or the trick, depending on your view — is where it’s built. The European-spec B05 is being assembled at Stellantis’ plant in Zaragoza, Spain. That matters because local assembly helps it avoid the EU tariffs aimed at Chinese-made EVs. So this is a Chinese-designed car entering Europe with a cost structure that looks much more like a local one. (carscoops.com) ### Did the first drives actually like it? Mostly yes, with caution. Autocar said the car showed “signs of promise” after a short test-track drive in China and highlighted the packaging, competitive spec, and some class-above touches like frameless doors. CAR was a bit warmer, calling it resolved, relatively quick, and interesting inside, while stre(carscoops.com)s the key limitation here — these are early impressions, not a settled verdict. (autocar.co.uk) ### So what’s the real story here? The B05 matters less as a one-off review car and more as a strategy. Stellantis is using Leapmotor to attack the affordable EV gap with a Chinese product adapted for Europe, priced below legacy rivals, and aimed at one of the continent’s most familiar car shapes. If the f(autocar.co.uk)the exact segment they used to own. (autocar.co.uk)
