Leapmotor B05: Affordable Chinese EV takes on VW ID.3 but comes with a catch

The technical specs of the Leapmotor B05 also look promising: Leapmotor lists output for its rear-wheel-drive B05 at 160 kW (215 hp). That allows the 14.5-foot-long "Chinese electric Golf" to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 6.7 seconds. The Leapmotor B05's chassis has been specifically tuned for the preferences of European car buyers and offers balanced 50:50 weight distribution. B05 buyers can choose between two battery sizes: 56.2 kWh for up to 249 miles of WLTP range and a larger 67.1 kWh battery. With the latter, the Leapmotor B05 is expected to manage up to 300 miles and charge from 30 to 80% in around 17 minutes.

Despite the strong first impression, the first international media test drives in Germany's Rheingau region revealed notable weaknesses in the details. While the rear-wheel drive setup's acceleration and the ride comfort are convincing, the Chinese software causes frustration. Operation via the 14.6-inch touchscreen is confusing, and the driver-assistance systems react extremely nervously. The lane-keeping assist in particular stands out for its rigid interventions and reactivates itself after a short time, which significantly affects everyday comfort. The trunk also shrinks to a meager 10.4 cubic feet, and Leapmotor has completely omitted a practical frunk under the front hood. However, Leapmotor has already promised quick fixes via over-the-air updates.