Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand Leapmotor has entered the UK market, offering competitive value with its T03 city car and C10 family SUV, each aiming to outperform rivals in their categories.
At £15,995, the T03 is the UK's second cheapest EV, only £1,000 more than the Dacia Spring. Both are compact four-seaters, similar in size to the Kia Picanto, but their higher stance comes from underfloor battery packs.
The T03 stands out with more features. Unlike the entry-level Spring, which lacks an infotainment display, the T03 includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen controlling key functions like climate and media.
It also has a larger 37.3kWh battery, compared to the Spring's 26.8kWh, giving the T03 an extra 26 miles of range, for a total of 165 miles according to WLTP tests.
Performance-wise, the T03’s 94bhp motor takes it from 0-62mph in 12.7 seconds, much faster than the 44bhp Spring, which takes 19.7 seconds. The 64bhp version of the Spring, similarly priced at £15,995, hits 0-62mph in 13.7 seconds.
The T03 charges at up to 48kW on DC, reaching 30-80% in 36 minutes, or at 6.6kW on AC power.
It also comes equipped with driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind spot detection. Like the Spring, the T03 supports over-the-air software updates, allowing Leapmotor to enhance existing vehicles over time.
On the higher end, the Leapmotor C10 is priced at £36,500 and competes with models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y. It has a 69.9kWh battery, 215bhp motor, 261-mile range, and a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. Charging from 30-80% takes just 30 minutes thanks to an 84kW DC charging capability.
Inside, the C10 features a 10.25-inch digital dashboard and a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that manages most of the car’s main functions.
Both models will be sold through Leapmotor International, a partnership between Leapmotor and Stellantis. Though production of the T03 has begun at Stellantis' former Fiat 500 plant in Poland, UK-bound models will be imported from China.
Pre-orders open next month, with deliveries starting in December. Leapmotor plans to unveil its B10 SUV at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
