New hatchback model looks set to take on the Astra-e and VW ID.3 in European market, and will be sold in China.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has officially revealed its new B05 model at the IAA Mobility show in Munich.
A C-segment electric hatchback designed specifically for urban environments and a younger, style-conscious demographic, the B05, which may be known as the Lafa 5 in Europe, will take on Europe’s staple electric hatchbacks like the Vauxhall / Opel Astra-e and the VW ID.3.
The global premiere of the Lafa 5 at the IAA in Munich speaks both to the ambitions of the Leapmotor brand to expand in Europe, and the key target for the Lafa 5.
The B05 is positioned as a blend of performance, innovative technology, and accessible design, and could end up being built at Leapmotor’s upcoming factory in Spain to help avoid tariffs.
The B05’s exterior is something of a departure from Leapmotor’s current styling, offering a more sporty and sculpted style while retaining some key Leapmotor design elements like the stepped segment lights at the front and rear.
Notable design features include frameless doors, which contribute to a sporty and premium appearance, and standard 19-inch ‘Swift-Wing’ alloy wheels which can be specced in black.
With a width of 1,880 mm, Leapmotor claims the B05 has the broadest shoulder width in its segment, which certainly helps accentuate its rakish profile alongside heavy bonnet and side profile sculpting.
A deep front skirt, a twin-blade rear spoiler, side skirts, and a gloss black rear ‘diffuser’ only serve to enhance that sporty stance.
Measuring 4,430mm long, 1,520mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2,735mm, the B05 enters a heavily competitive segment of electric hatchbacks that include the likes of the Volvo EX30, Zeekr X, and smart #3.
Alongside the B10 SUV, which also made its European debut at the IAA, the B05 is part of a rapid European-targeted product offensive that Leapmotor is making, something it could be argued that only really BYD is making from China with many other brands bringing their larger models to a market often focused on smaller cars.
Leapmotor says the B05 is built around four core principles: cutting-edge design, agile handling, flagship intelligence features, and segment-defying quality, suggesting it will likely also get European-specific handling, potentially from Maserati like the Leapmotor C10.
At the unveiling, Global CEO Zhu Jiangming stated, “The B05 is more than a car—it’s a statement. It reflects our commitment to innovation, accessibility, and empowering the next generation of drivers across Europe and beyond.”
Official pricing and detailed specifications for the European market are expected to be announced closer to the start of sales, but Leapmotor has announced the B05 will come in six shades, including the launch yellow, grey, blue, pink, silver, and black.
A notable difference between the European and Chinese images of the B05 is the inclusion of a LiDAR unit above the windscreen, suggesting Europe still isn’t expected to get Leap’s China-based ADAS system.
Somewhat confusingly, European images include both Lafa 5 and B05 number plates, while the Chinese images include the Lafa 5 number plate.
