Leapmotor B03 Supermini Heads to UK Next Year to Take On the Renault 5

Leapmotor has confirmed that the B03, its new electric supermini, will reach UK showrooms early next year. The Chinese brand is positioning it against the Renault 5 and Volkswagen ID Polo. The car is already on sale in China as the A05, and Leapmotor expects UK pricing to start in the low £20,000s. The exact figure will be confirmed closer to launch.

The B03 is smaller and lower-slung than the recently launched B03X, and it sits between that model and the tiny T03 in Leapmotor's British line-up. It measures 4,175mm long and 1,790mm wide, which keeps it firmly in city-car territory. Its 9.8-metre turning circle is close to that of the Dacia Spring, one of the tightest in the class.

Range is the headline number. The 53kWh battery is rated at up to 242 miles, which puts the B03 in the same bracket as its French and German rivals. That battery feeds a 194bhp motor on the front axle, producing 148lb ft of torque and a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds. Leapmotor says the car can charge at up to 133kW, taking it from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes.

Inside, the B03 follows the minimalist approach of Leapmotor's other models. A 14.6-inch central touchscreen handles most functions, and physical buttons and switches are largely absent. There are a few unusual touches for a small car. The front passenger seat folds completely flat to carry long loads, while the driver's seat reclines almost horizontally so someone can lie down during a charging stop. The rear seat base also flips up, so bulky items such as bikes can be stored upright. Leapmotor counts 30 storage spaces around the cabin, and the boot offers 405 litres with a further 90 litres hidden beneath the floor.

UK buyers will get just one trim. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, a 360-degree camera, automatic air conditioning, LED lights, heated front seats and steering wheel, and synthetic leather upholstery. Full specifications and official pricing will follow nearer the B03's launch next year.