Leapmotor, the young Chinese brand with which Peugeot and Jeep parent Stellantis has partnered, is getting ready to launch an even more affordable SUV.
A Chinese government filing has detailed specifications for the B10, a new electric SUV that will slot in under the C10.
The C10 is priced from $45,888 before on-road costs, offering Tesla Model Y sizing at BYD Atto 3 prices, and the B10 is expected to be even cheaper when it arrives here during 2025.
That could put the small electric SUV close to $40,000 before on-roads, which would see it compete against some of the market’s most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) such as the MG 4 and GWM Ora.
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Car News China reports the B10 measures 4515mm long, 1885mm wide and 1655mm tall on a 2735mm wheelbase, making it 60mm longer, 10mm wider and 40mm taller than a BYD Atto 3 on a 15mm longer wheelbase.
Kerb weight is between 1670kg and 1705kg, while available equipment includes a LiDAR sensor and a surround-view camera.
The filing notes a choice of two electric powertrains – one with 132kW of power, the other with 160kW – though it doesn’t include battery specifications or range figures.
The larger C10 also offers 160kW electric motor, producing 320Nm of torque and powered by a 69.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery good for 420km of WLTP range.
No images of the B10’s interior have been released, but its exterior styling closely mirrors that of its larger sibling.
Apart from its smaller overall footprint, it’s most easily distinguished from the C10 by the trim pieces on its front wheel arches which appear to contain a camera, and from which sharp creases start.
The B10 also has slimmer lighting clusters front and rear.
Leapmotor is a young company, founded in China in 2015. It exclusively offers EVs and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), the latter of which also incorporate a combustion engine.
In October 2023, Stellantis announced it would invest €1.5 billion ($2.5 billion) in Leapmotor, purchasing about 21 per cent of the Chinese automaker.
It obtained a controlling 51 per cent stake in Leapmotor International, a joint venture between the two carmakers, which is now exporting vehicles to markets like Australia and Europe. Customer deliveries of the C10 recently commenced in our market.
Here, Leapmotor will tap both Stellantis’ existing dealers plus some new partners.
“We plan to cover 65 per cent of the Australian segments in the next three years,” Leapmotor Australia CEO Andy Hoang told CarExpert in November.
“[We plan to] have up to six models in the next three years.”
Leapmotor C10
In addition to the B10 and C10 SUVs, it plans to offer passenger cars. It also won’t limit itself to EVs here, with plans to introduce an EREV.
While Leapmotor boasts it’ll have strong supply, it isn’t disclosing its sales targets. It says, however, that it will grow steadily and sustainably.
“We’re not aiming to be market leader. We’re not aiming to be second or third in the first year. We understand it takes time to build a brand,” said Mr Hoang.
MORE: Everything Leapmotor
