Leapmotor has officially named its upcoming electric family hatchback the B05, confirming plans to bring the new model to the UK in 2026 with a starting price below £30,000. Revealed during the brand’s presentation at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show, the B05 will join a growing line-up of European-focused EVs based on Leapmotor’s new-generation ‘Leap 3.5’ architecture.
Designed to rival the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4, the B05 is expected to offer a competitive mix of range, technology, and practicality. It shares its underpinnings with the recently revealed B10 SUV and the B01 saloon, the latter of which was also unveiled in Shanghai. As such, the hatchback will likely use the same rear-mounted electric motor and battery configuration, though final performance and capacity figures remain under wraps.
The B01, aimed squarely at Tesla’s Model 3, boasts a claimed range of up to 403 miles on China’s CLTC cycle—suggesting that the slightly taller, heavier B05 should still comfortably deliver more than 300 miles in real-world use. Leapmotor has made clear that efficiency is a key focus, with the B01 achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.197Cd. While the B05’s shape is inherently less aerodynamic, its design is expected to borrow heavily from the B10 SUV, including slim LED headlights linked by a full-width light bar and clean, minimal surfacing.
During the press conference, Leapmotor teased the B05’s silhouette, showing a traditional five-door hatchback profile with proportions similar to a Vauxhall Astra. Inside, the car is likely to adopt a twin-screen layout, possibly featuring the same 14.6-inch central touchscreen as the B10, along with a pared-back dash and integrated infotainment powered by Leapmotor’s own OS.
Leapmotor’s European roll-out is beginning to take shape, with the B05 set to play a pivotal role in the brand’s expansion into the UK. It joins a wave of upcoming models, including the A10 compact SUV and A05 supermini, both due in late 2026. These cars are expected to cement Leapmotor’s position in the value end of the EV market.
Company vice president Li Cao said the B-series models are “born for the youth,” with a sharper focus on design and digital tech. With aggressive pricing and competitive range claims, the B05 could well shake up the family EV segment when it arrives on British roads.
