- New hatchback joins Leapmotor's NZ lineup.
- Two models, Life and Design, both 160kW rear-drive.
- B10 SUV gains range-extender PHEV option.
New Zealand Leapmotor importer Auto Distribution Holdings (ADHL) is adding a third model to its portfolio: the B05 pure-electric hatchback, in two versions.
Leapmotor's Kiwi lineup currently includes two SUVs, the compact B10 and medium-large C10.
On display at Fieldays in Waikato this week, the B05 is essentially a lower version of the B10 with more of a focus on sportier driving characteristics. It shares most of its interior architecture with the SUV.
B05 comes in two versions: the Life with a 56.2kWh battery (401km range) and the Design with a 67.1kWh pack (480km). Both models have a single 160kW/240Nm motor mounted at the rear.
That should be enough for brisk performance and Leapmotor claims 50/50 weight distribution, although we're not entirely sold on ADHL's assertion that it's a "hot hatch". There is indeed a high-performance model available in China, the Ultra dual-motor, with over 180kW and 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds. It's not currently for export, but ADHL says it's working on it.
The B05 arrives with a launch price of $43,990 for the Life and $47,990 for the Design.
ADHL has also added a plug-in hybrid range-extender powertrain (aka REEV) to the B10, which has only been availabe as a pure-electric model to date. It starts at $39,990 for the Life, rising to $44,990 for the Design.
The Leapmotor dealership footprint has also grown, with the models now available at nine locations including Hamilton, Tauranga, Taupo, Wellington and Christchurch as well as four Auckland dealers.
Leapmotor is part of an ADHL portfolio of brands that also includes BAIC (with the Arcfox sub-brand), Dongfeng and Smart.