The B05 features Leapmotor’s ‘cell-to-chassis’ battery pack, which is integrated into the car’s structure, allowing the cabin to sit a bit lower to the ground than some skateboard-platform EVs.
It has MacPherson suspension struts up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear, and Leapmotor claims the chassis has been co-tuned with Stellantis to match European expectations.
The B05 also has frameless doors, which are somewhat rare on a car of this class and price point. Leapmotor seems very proud of them, and they do add a touch of class.
Inside, there’s a big 14.6in HD touchscreen and an 8.8in LCD driver display. My test car was in full Chinese spec, and my Mandarin wasn’t good enough to delve through every sub-menu, but through the screen you can set the drive modes (Normal, Eco and Sport) and adjust the brake regen and steering speed.
There aren’t as many buttons as I’d like, although key controls are at least hard-coded to the bottom of the touchscreen. I’d have liked more steering wheel adjustment, especially since the driver display seemed to be mounted unusually close to the wheel.
But it’s otherwise a comfortable place to sit. It’s light, thanks to a panoramic sunroof, and the materials feel hard-wearing, if not exactly premium. There’s plentiful storage, the front and rear seats are comfortable, there’s a 345-litre boot and there’s a notable amount of space in both the front and back of the cabin.
My test car featured a few quirks, such as a fold-out tray table on the passenger side of the dashboard, which probably won’t reach the UK.
