Leapmotor A05: electric hatchback with LiDAR for $7,400

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Leapmotor has launched the A05 electric hatchback in China.

It offers up to 510 km (317 miles) of range and optional LiDAR.

Global B03 version is headed to international markets soon.

Leapmotor has a new electric subcompact hatch, the A05, and it’s going straight after the BYD Dolphin . The Stellantis-backed Chinese brand isn’t keeping this one at home, either. Europe and other export markets will get it as the Leapmotor B03.

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The A05 / B03 is the hatchback version of the A10 / B03X subcompact SUV, and it certainly looks like it. The two share the same design language, with similar LEDs, bumper graphics, and soft curves around the bodywork. The hatch sets itself apart with a more aerodynamic windshield, a lower stance, and none of the plastic cladding that covers its SUV sibling.

More: Europe’s Small Hatches Stuck With Mild Hybrids, BYD Brings 621 Miles And A Plug

Stellantis says the A05 / B03 measures 4,175 mm (164.4 inches) long, 1,790 mm (70.5 inches) wide, and 1,560 mm (61.4 inches) tall, with a 2,605 mm (102.6 inches) wheelbase. That slots it between the smaller VW ID. Polo and the larger ID.3 Neo on length, though the wheelbase lines up closely with the Polo’s.

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One standout for the class is the optional roof-mounted LiDAR sensor. Leapmotor claims the A05 is the only hatchback in the segment to offer LiDAR-backed, parking-space-to-parking-space navigation-assisted driving (NAP), plus memory parking and highway pilot assist.

More: Europe Spent Years Locking Chinese Carmakers Out, Now It’s Handing Them Factories

Inside, the dashboard looks to be lifted from the A10 / B03x SUV. The kit list runs to an 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch floating infotainment touchscreen running Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8295 processor. There’s also a two-spoke steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, customizable ambient lighting, and a two-tone theme.

Like its crossover sibling, the hatch comes with a choice of two outputs, 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS) and 121 hp (90 kW / 123 PS), and two battery sizes, 40 kWh and 53 kWh. Leapmotor puts CLTC range at 405 km (252 miles) and 510 km (317 miles) respectively, 5 km (3 miles) more than the A10 / B03x manages.

Pricing and Availability

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Leapmotor hasn’t released pricing for the A05 yet, though Chinese buyers can lock in a reservation for a deposit of just ¥99 yuan ($15). Local media peg the starting price at around ¥50,000 yuan ($7,400), undercutting the A10 crossover, which currently runs between ¥65,800 and ¥86,800 ($9,700-12,800).

After its official Chinese launch later this summer, the B03-badged global model should widen Leapmotor’s overseas reach through its joint-venture distribution network with Stellantis. Going by the European pricing of the B03x crossover, the EU-spec B03 hatch will likely start under €24,900 ($28,400), close to the VW ID. Polo and Renault 5 E-Tech.

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