Stellantis Launches Leapmotor B05 EV in Europe: Cheapest New Electric Hatch Undercuts VW, Renault, and Peugeot

Stellantis Unveils Leapmotor B05: Europe’s Cheapest New EV

The Leapmotor B05, known as the Lafa 5 in China, is now on sale in Europe as Stellantis’ most affordable new electric vehicle. Priced from €26,900 in Italy before incentives, the B05 is positioned to compete directly with the refreshed VW ID.3 Neo and other budget-friendly EVs.

Strategic Local Production in Spain

The B05 is assembled at Stellantis’ Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain, a move that allows it to bypass the EU’s 10% tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles. This local production strategy helps the B05 achieve a competitive price point while maintaining strong specifications.

Aggressive Pricing Outperforms Rivals

The entry-level Leapmotor B05 is priced at €26,900 ($31,500) in Italy, undercutting key competitors by significant margins:

• VW ID.3 (pre-facelift): €9,600 ($11,200) cheaper
• Renault Megane E-Tech: €11,450 ($13,400) cheaper
• Peugeot E-308: €13,080 ($15,400) cheaper

The B05’s pricing also places it below the now-discontinued MG4 in the same market.

Competitive Specifications and Performance

The Leapmotor B05 measures 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) in length and rides on the company’s “LEAP 3.0” architecture, featuring Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology for improved structural rigidity. The vehicle boasts a 50:50 weight distribution and suspension co-tuned with Stellantis’ global engineering teams.

Battery Options and Charging

Buyers can choose between two LFP battery packs:

• 56.2 kWh Pro: WLTP range of 401 km (249 miles)
• 67.1 kWh Pro Max: WLTP range of 482 km (300 miles)

The B05 supports DC fast charging up to 174 kW, enabling a 30-80% charge in just 17 minutes.

Performance Variants

The standard B05 features a rear-mounted electric motor with:

• 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS)
• 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque

The upcoming B05 Ultra will deliver:

• 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS)
• 255 Nm (188 lb-ft) of torque
• Lowered suspension, fatter anti-roll bars, beefier brakes, and performance tires

Generous Standard Equipment

Despite its budget-friendly price, the Leapmotor B05 comes well-equipped, including:

• 14.6-inch touchscreen
• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
• AI-powered voice assistant with facial recognition
• Dual-zone climate control
• 360-degree camera
• Panoramic glass roof
• Full ADAS suite

Strategic Partnership Drives Expansion

Stellantis’ collaboration with Leapmotor has enabled the rapid deployment of the B05 across Europe. The B05’s launch follows its debut as a static prototype at the Munich Auto Show in September 2023, marking a key step in Stellantis’ strategy to compete in the growing budget EV segment.

Future Outlook: B05 Ultra and Beyond

With the B05 Ultra on the horizon, Stellantis is positioning the B05 series to challenge higher-performance models, including the GTI segment. The aggressive pricing and feature set of the B05 demonstrate Stellantis’ commitment to expanding its electric vehicle lineup in Europe.