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Leapmotor is looking to expand its appeal in Australia, with its latest addition being the all-new B05 hatchback.
This is a more European-focused model than its previous Chinese-centric SUVs, which is why development was shared with the European-based engineers from Stellantis.
But Leapmotor has already earned a reputation for sharp prices and the B05 is no different. The entry-level B05 Style starts at $35,990 drive-away. For that price you receive the essentials, but not much in the way of luxuries.
B05 Style standard equipment:
While the B05 was very much driven by the European side of the Leapmotor International operation because of its preference for hatchbacks, there's no doubt it has a distinctive family look to sit nicely alongside the B10 and C10 SUVs.
The company says it has a 'coupe silhouette' and a 'wide-body stance' to give it a sporty look, which also helps it cut through the air better and help with the range. While it's very much a conventional five-door hatch, it does look well proportioned and inoffensive, which is a good place for Leapmotor to find itself in these early days in Australia.
Inside, the B05 offers a good level of space and practicality for a hatchback, however, the Style does miss some basic elements, such as a rear armrest, which means no cupholders for those in the back.
Technology is clearly a key selling point for Leapmotor, with a lot of its marketing presentation focused on a younger demographic.
It certainly has a clean and straightforward interior, but that's expected from most modern cars, but in particular the Chinese. There are almost no buttons or switchgear, which means a not particularly intuitive or user-friendly operating experience.
The B05 Style is powered by a 160kW and 240Nm electric motor which, unlike most hatches these days, drives the rear wheels.
The Style features a 56.2kWh lithium phosphate battery (LFP) which provides up to 410km of driving range, according to the WLTP test cycle.
In terms of safety, Leapmotor has included all the necessary features to score a five-star ANCAP rating. However, the brand still needs to better integrate and calibrate the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to ensure they do not irritate the driver.