A MAJOR Chinese car brand has launched its first electric vehicle models in the UK today.
Leapmotor has teamed up with Stellantis – owner of Vauxhall, Peugeot, Fiat and others – to build and sell electric cars in Europe.
Now the T03 small EV and C10 electric midsize SUV have hit Britain – and their prices undercut most of their competitors including Tesla.
The T03 stands out for its £15,995 price tag which makes it the UK’s second-cheapest electric car at just £1,000 more than the Dacia Spring.
It comes with a larger battery than its rival that provides an extra 26 miles of range per charge – roughly the length of a marathon.
It’s also slightly nippier than the Spring with a 94bhp motor that is capable of hitting 0-62mph in 12.7 seconds.
Leapmotor’s C10 model is closer in style to the hugely popular Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y.
The mid-size crossover SUV is sold in just one specification that’s priced at £36,500.
The C10 packs a 215bhp motor with a range of 261 miles and a battery that charges from 30-80 per cent in about half an hour.
Leapmotor was founded less than a decade ago.
The Leapmotor import venture has a Stellantis-led 51-49 ownership structure.
It comes as Leapmotor showed off their B10, a C-segment SUV competing with the likes of the Mini Aceman, at the Paris Motor Show.
It will feature a customisable digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance systems.
Leapmotor T03 is a no-frills, budget EV
By Sun Motors supremo Rob Gill
IT’S not Fiat 500 cute. But it is small and simple like a 500.
Easy to park or drive in tight spaces like a 500.
Much cheaper than a 500. And packed with kit.
This is the Leapmotor T03.
Leapwho?
Leapmotor. Another oddly-named Chinese EV firm coming our way.
But this one has been clever.
Like, really clever.
Because Leapmotor has teamed up with Stellantis – owner of Vauxhall, Peugeot, Fiat and others – to build and sell electric cars in Europe.
In fact, Stellantis owns 51 per cent of the international arm of the business and T03 will be sold at the big glass cathedrals in every town alongside Corsas, 208s and . . . Fiat 500s.
You’ll see T03 at 50 UK dealers by Christmas.
But is it any good? Yes and no.
For the money, yes.
There’s one high-spec version costing £15,995.
Six airbags. Five doors. Four seats.
I can’t think of anything beginning with three. Two digital display screens.
One comically cheap school-run/commuter car.
Hang on, I’ve thought of something. The paint. There’s three paint colours – white, silver and blue. Your only choice.
Everything else is standard – reversing camera, satnav, adaptive cruise control, panoramic glass roof with electric shade, heated wing mirrors, LED lights, 15in alloys, all the anti-crash tech the law now demands, and more.
