- Smallest Leapmotor starts at $37,990, deliveries October.
- Two BEV models, range 292-382km.
- 'Ha ha' tail lights and a Gigabox in the back.
The baby EV-SUV segment is booming in New Zealand. The latest new arrival is the Leapmotor B03X, a smaller sibling to the B10 that will be launched in October, at $37,990 for an entry-level Life model and $42,990 for the Design, which offers more equipment and a bigger range.
That puts the 4.27m-long B03X into the mix with the likes of the Dongfeng Vigo, Arcfox T1 (both brands incidentally also under the umbrella of Leapmotor importer Auto Distributors NZ), Ora 5, BYD Atto 2... the list could potentially go on much longer if we start to include the ones that are more like hatchbacks: GAC Aion UT, Geely EX2, MG4 Urban.
All of the above are compact BEVs with pricing in the $30-$40k bracket. And yes, all of Chinese origin.
The B03X, also known as the A10 in China, is very new indeed; NZ is one of the first right-hand drive export countries to get it.
Substantial sales in its home market since April (nearly 100,000) have helped push Leapmotor from the fourth biggest-selling EV brand globally four spot in the list of the world's biggest-selling EV brands January-June to number three if you consider June alone (behind BYD and Tesla, displacing Geely).
The B03X is available with two LFP battery options: a 39.8kWh unit for the Life providing up to 292km range, and a larger 53.0kWh battery with 382km (both figures WLTP).
The Life has a 130kW motor, while the Design serves up 145kW. Both models produce the same 200Nm torque and thanks to the larger kerb weight of the larger battery model (at 1460kg, 100kg heavier), the 0-100km/h times are identical: 8.6 seconds. Unlike the B10 and C10 SUVs, the B03X is front-drive.
DC fast charging supports up to 100kW on the 39.8kWh version and 133kW on the 53.0kWh model, while the onboard AC charger supports up to 11kW.
The B03X is based around Leapmotor's "Cell-to-Chassis 2.0 Plus" battery architecture which integrates the battery directly into the vehicle structure. It lowers the centre of gravity and increases torsional stiffness, while minimising weight.
It's a little car with a big screen inside: there's a "floating" 14.6-inch central infotainment display, and an 8.8-inch digital instrument display.
There are a claimed 33 storage compartments throughout the cabin, including additional storage beneath the floating centre console, while a 15W wireless smartphone charging pad and dual cupholders are integrated into the console design.
Compared to the B03X Life, the Design gains eco-leather seats, power-adjustable driver seat with heating, heated steering wheel, power-fold mirrors, front parking sensors and 360-degree camera system, 18-inch alloys, ambient interior lighting and an upgraded 12-speaker audio system.
The company believes space and practicality will be a big draw for both B03X models. The wheelbase is relatively long at 2605mm and the EV architecture gives a flat floor. There's 947mm of rear legroom and up to 1009mm of front headroom.
The boot provides 405 litres of cargo capacity, but there's a further 105 litres available beneath the floor in what Leapmotor calls a "GigaBox". The waterproof and washable storage compartment takes total boot capacity to 510 litres.
There's also a Honda Jazz-style flexible rear-seat system, allowing the rear cushions to be raised to create additional cargo flexibility.
The B03X's styling detail is a lot more quirky than Leapmotor's other models. The tall profile is puncutated by "Leapmotor" branding on the front bumper garnish, a giant "Leap" script on the sills and "ha ha" tail lights (you can see why they're called that). Inside, the markings for the passenger-side airbag have a graphic of a cartoon character holding a balloon. And so on.
Leapmotor says the safety package includes 21 ADAS features, supported by 14 sensors and cameras.
Leapmotor expands NZ footprint
After starting small with three dealerships in 2024, Leapmotor has expanded to nine Kiwi dealerships, all but one (Christchurch) in the North Island. In September it's set to announce a further three, in Rotorua, Hawkes Bay and Palmerston North.
In terms of sales volume (rather than geography), Leapmotor NZ says those 12 dealerships give 80% coverage.
It also has a stated aim to open showrooms in Whangarei, Auckland West, Nelson, Dunedin and INvercargill in 2027.
The brand also aims to improve the ownership prospect with the recent upgrade of its standard factory warranty from 4 years to 6 years.
It's all part of what ADNZ chief executive talks of as "removing barriers to consideration" for potential customers.
"Those barriers could be awareness, could be warranty, could just be general familiarity and confidence in Chinese brands.
"We've been partly helped by the market because we know that Chinese brands are now well-accepted. That probabaly wasn't the case even just two years ago."