Last October we reported on how the Stellantis group intended to accelerate its electric vehicle development through its alliance with Chinese brand Leapmotor. Two electric models made their debut — the C10 SUV and the city car T03 — a joint venture that immediately promised to speed up Europe's electric transition. The result, a few months on? The electric T03 became Italy's best-selling electric car in May (among the most sought-after models overall), while B10 confirmed its place as the most in-demand compact electric SUV.

So within just a few months, from an unknown brand, Leapmotor became "the brand with the highest year-on-year growth, thanks to its ability to meet the needs of Italian customers with an accessible, innovative and forward-looking offering", as Federico Scopelliti, Leapmotor Italia Country Manager, explained in a recent interview. A success set to consolidate further with the debut of a new electric model, the B05: a starting price under 23,000 euros, a body that vaguely recalls a four-door coupé, and rear-wheel drive for those who love the pleasure of driving.

Leapmotor B05, the compact and affordable electric

The electric B05 arrives in Italy with the stated ambition of "disrupting the hierarchy of the electric C-segment" — that of compact models suited to urban mobility too, such as the Volkswagen ID.3, the Renault Megane e-Tech or the BYD Atto 2, to give you an idea. We tested it along the hills of Bergamo, on a route starting from Milan that wound through vineyards and villages, alternating ring roads, flowing main roads and hillside hairpin bends. Not the longest test, but a well-rounded one for gauging whether the B05 delivers on its promises on paper: everyday comfort on one hand, sporting spirit on the other. The verdict is coming shortly.

160 kW electric motor and a range of up to 482 kilometres

Those who designed it place great emphasis on the fact that the electric B05 evokes the coupé — a type of car very common in the 1980s, typically sporty and traditionally two-door, with one defining feature above all: the sloping rear roofline (the tailgate line, to be precise). Whether or not this description truly applies to the B05 we leave for you to judge.

We will stick to the facts most relevant to a potential purchase decision: a length of 4.43 metres, an electric powertrain producing 218 horsepower (160 kW), and two battery options: the 56.2 kWh pack with a declared electric range of up to 401 kilometres, and the 67.1 kWh pack with a declared range of up to 482 kilometres — strong results to which the car's aerodynamic efficiency also contributes (a drag coefficient of 0.26, among the lowest in its class, translates directly into greater range).

Charging times? The B05 accepts up to 168 kW, which allows the battery to charge from 30 to 80 per cent in around 17 minutes; times that rise to 7 hours with an 11 kW charge. Other notable details? Flush door handles and 19-inch alloy wheels offered as standard. But also the curious absence of a rear wiper — an omission that could make itself felt during the rainier months.

B05, the (certified) upholstery and that absence of physical controls

On board, the perceived quality is higher than one would expect from an electric car at this price point: certified eco-leather upholstery, heated seats, a panoramic roof and a driving position that rewards both the driver and rear passengers, with good legroom thanks in part to the flat floor. The increasingly widespread choice of a dual-screen setup is present here too, with a 14.6-inch central display and an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster — both sharp and responsive, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

One thing that may not appeal to everyone? The control interface, with the near-total absence of physical buttons: even the climate control commands are buried in a touchscreen submenu — a choice that, particularly while driving, could prove distracting. The boot, too, is not among the most spacious in its class, partly due to the absence of an underfloor compartment (where part of the space is instead occupied by the electric motor).

Rear-wheel drive and a well-balanced mix of comfort and performance

As mentioned, the B05 offers solid power (over 200 horsepower in old money), which translates into brisk acceleration (the declared 0–100 km/h sprint takes 6.7 seconds), aided by the Launch Control option that delivers maximum performance for a brief burst. That said, the acceleration feels more progressive than brutal — which, from the perspective of a sustainable driving style, is an unqualified virtue. The selection of both the various driving modes and the regenerative braking intensity is not always convenient, as these too can only be adjusted via the central display. The combination of rear-wheel drive and a 50:50 weight distribution, together with suspension and chassis tuning tailored to European drivers' tastes, allows the B05 to deliver a well-balanced blend of performance and comfort — in short, a safe and reassuring car rather than a sporty electric.

Safety: why switching off the Adas systems can become a (wrong!) temptation

Now let's turn to the question of safety. The Adas systems offer a comprehensive package: 21 functions supported by 14 sensors and cameras. These systems, as we have repeatedly stressed, prove essential in reducing risks, distractions and the general range of mistakes a driver can make behind the wheel. That said, there is "a way and a way" of doing things… Let us explain: on the B05, one of the most widespread and useful Adas features — lane-keeping assist — tends to intervene decisively, accompanied by rather intrusive acoustic alerts that, over time, could push users to deactivate the function, effectively making a mistake that compromises driving safety. The possible solution? Rethinking the software calibration to make it less intrusive and more in line with European driving tastes and styles.

Leapmotor B05, thanks to the launch offer the price starts from 22,900 euros

And now let's look at the financial side. In Italy the Leapmotor B05 list price starts at 26,900 euros — already an attractive figure — with a launch incentive of 3,000 euros, plus a 1,000-euro bonus for trade-ins or scrapping, on top of a dedicated low-interest financing package. In practical terms, the price of a B05 with a 56.2 kWh battery could drop to under 23,000 euros.

These are figures that place the B05 below its main European rivals in the segment, and they explain why the Chinese brand — fresh from a record-breaking first half of 2026 with over 356,000 global deliveries — is betting so heavily on making electric mobility accessible, in a market where price continues to make all the difference. And speaking of price, for those with an even tighter budget, also from Leapmotor we note the opening of orders in July for the B03X, an even more compact and urban electric SUV with a list price that, thanks to the launch offer, starts from 19,900 euros.