More spec and tech for less dough is becoming more common amongst car makers, particularly so from China. It keeps things simple for the buyer – less brochures to trawl through. Take it or leave it, so to speak.
Another example of such to arrive on our shores is the B10 compact SUV from Leapmotor, a new Chinese brand that has recently taken up residence at Kenny Galway.
Despite only being founded in 2015, Leapmotor is quickly growing legs across Europe, having partnered with Stellantis, the grouping behind Opel, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep and Alfa Romeo. Three electric models are on sale here already, the T03 city car, the C10 large SUV, and the smaller B10, with more to soon follow.
Introductory pricing for the B10 starts from €32,984 net of grants, for the entry-level ‘Style’ version (a 56.2kWh battery with a claimed range of 361km ) and starts at €35,996 for the 67.1kWh ‘Design’ version, claiming to offer up to 434km of range. Both support 11kW AC charging and DC charging up to 168kW.
While Leapmotor is a brand of Stellantis, the automaker does not share its electric vehicle underpinnings with that of Opel, Peugeot etc, instead using its own in-house vehicle architecture. This gives Leapmotor the edge, as the B10’s real world range and charging speeds are far superior to that of the Stellantis stable. A range of around 400km is easy to achieve from a full charge of the B10, meaning it would suit many households. Its electric motor delivers 218hp and 240Nm of torque.
The Leapmotor B10 is very well-equipped out of the box, offering a 1.8-metre panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360° parking camera system, and 17 ADAS safety features as standard. The Design trim adds eco-leather seats, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats and an electric tailgate. One item that is not included however, is a rear wiper.
A word of note to any discerning buyer: I would ask your dealer to swap the standard Linglong rubber to something more up-market, as these cheap tyres amplify wind noise at motorway speeds and impact overall refinement.
With dimensions of 4,515mm in length, 1,885mm in width, and 1,655mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,735mm, the B10 is a neat package of good build quality. On the inside, the B10 delivers with 2,390mm from the rear seat backrest to the footwell, 1,400mm of rear passenger width, and generous headroom, complemented by 22 smart storage compartments.
The B10’s interior is anchored by a 14.6-inch floating central touch screen, of which houses all of the most used controls such as climate and drive assists. The B10’s lane assist does need work, as it is almost impossible to drive down an unmarked back road without the car attempting to pull you further across to your right. This can be disabled, but it resets at the start of each journey.
Overall, the Leapmotor B10 is a small number of tweaks away from being an exceptional package. Nevertheless, it is another warning shot at some of the complacent legacy car makers that a 10-year company can blend high levels of tech with affordability.
