B05 by Leapmotor in Italy: Electric Hatchback with 218 HP and Integrated Battery in the Chassis with 174 kW Charging
Leapmotor has opened orders for the B05 in Italy: the electric hatchback from the Chinese brand of the Stellantis group enters the market with a starting price of €26,900, which, thanks to the offer reserved for those trading in or scrapping their vehicle, drops to €22,900, a positioning that puts direct pressure on the VW ID.3 and Renault 5 E-Tech. Deliveries will start next summer.
Compact Hatchback Mechanics
Measuring 4.43 meters in length, 1.88 meters in width, with a wheelbase of 2.74 meters and a drag coefficient of 0.26, the B05 arrives with construction details that usually belong to higher segments: frameless doors, retractable handles, an active front grille, and sculpted rear deflectors. The 160 kW (218 HP) engine with 240 Nm of torque is paired with only rear-wheel drive and a weight distribution of 50:50; it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The suspension tuning has been managed by Stellantis engineers, a detail that weighs both on dynamic performance and on homologation from the European customer perspective.
Structurally, the B05 adopts a cell-to-chassis architecture: the battery is directly integrated into the frame, benefiting rigidity, weight, and interior space utilization. In China, the model is marketed as the Lafa 5 and is assembled in the Polish plant that Stellantis uses for European production of the brand.
Two Batteries, Range of Up to 482 km
As detailed in the official statement, two battery sizes are available: 56.2 kWh for a claimed range of 401 km WLTP, and 67.1 kWh for 482 km. Fast charging in direct current reaches 174 kW: it takes about 17 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%. A less obvious data point for the segment is the trunk size, which measures 1,400 liters, a value that few direct competitors can match.
Regarding the interiors, they are organized around a central 14.6-inch screen running the Leap OS 4.0 Plus operating system and a 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. The safety equipment includes 7 airbags (including one centrally located between the front seats) and level 2 assisted driving supported by 14 sensors and cameras; the aerodynamic wheels are 19 inches.
Trim Levels and Complete Pricing
The trims are Life and Design. The former is available with both battery options; the latter only with the 67.1 kWh pack and adds synthetic leather interiors, heated front seats, and an upgraded audio system, with no differences in the ADAS equipment. The discount is €4,000, applicable exclusively with trade-in or scrapping. There is also a planned B05 Ultra variant, for which Leapmotor has not yet communicated specifications or timelines for the Italian market. The five colors available at launch are Lightning Yellow, Windy Grey, Metallic Black, Starry Night Blue, and Galaxy Silver.
At the same time, the significance of the B05 for the Italian market is not just a matter of price: behind Leapmotor, there is an industrial structure that connects directly to Stellantis. In October 2023, the Italo-French group acquired about 20% of Leapmotor’s capital with an investment of €1.5 billion and the establishment of the joint venture Leapmotor International. In practice, the B05 arrives at Italian showrooms through the existing Stellantis dealership network, with all the accompanying support coverage. European production is entrusted to the Zaragoza plant in Spain, operational for the B05 and B10 starting in the third quarter of 2026 via CKD assembly of Chinese components. The agreement does not stop at distribution: Stellantis is considering adopting Leapmotor batteries and platforms for future electric models from Fiat, Peugeot, and Opel, which transforms the B05 from a simple import product into a possible technological prototype for the next generation of the group’s cars in Europe.