Leapmotor's B03X EV hits Europe at €24,900 — a small crossover with big ambitions

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor opened pre-orders for its B03X electric crossover in Europe on Tuesday, priced at €24,900 (roughly ¥193,000). It’s a small car with an ambitious target — convincing European buyers that a Chinese-branded hatchback belongs in their driveway.

The B03X is essentially the global version of Leapmotor’s A10, sold in China. It shares the same body, dimensions, and battery pack, but gets a significant powertrain upgrade for international markets. The front-mounted single motor delivers 145 kW (194 hp) and 150 Nm of torque — enough to push the 0–100 km/h sprint down to 8.6 seconds. That’s roughly two seconds quicker than the base A10 sold domestically.

Leapmotor calls the B03X a “global strategic model,” designed from the start for markets outside China. It’s a subcompact crossover that tries to blend SUV practicality — raised ride height, hatchback versatility — with the tight footprint that European city streets demand. The company says it prioritized everyday usability and a tech-forward cabin, though full spec sheets on battery range and charging speed have not been released for the European variant yet.

The timing is noteworthy. Chinese automakers have been aggressively expanding into Europe, and Leapmotor has a structural advantage most of its peers lack: it’s backed by Stellantis. The Franco-Italian-American auto group took a roughly 20 percent stake in Leapmotor in 2023, forming a joint venture (Leapmotor International) to handle exports, manufacturing, and distribution outside China. That partnership gives the B03X a ready-made dealer and service network — something BYD and Nio have had to build from scratch.

At €24,900, the B03X undercuts most comparably sized European EVs by a wide margin. The Volkswagen ID.3 starts at around €36,000 in Germany. The Renault 5 E-Tech, a similar retro-styled compact EV, begins at roughly €28,000 before incentives. Leapmotor is betting that price gap, combined with Stellantis-backed service infrastructure, will be enough to overcome lingering brand skepticism among European buyers.

Deliveries are expected later this year.