For those who’re on the lookout for a simple electric family SUV to place in front of shoppers and not using a complicated chat over options, the Leapmotor B10 lands with a transparent proposition.
For the UK promote it’s being positioned as a rival to the BYD ATTO 2 and Kia EV3, and it arrives offering a minimalist cabin, a big-spec standard equipment story, and all of the reassuring firepower that Stellantis, as a heavyweight European manufacturing partner, can offer.
Price point, in-house tech story
At its UK launch, Tianyue Zhong, Leapmotor’s global head of product, framed how the C-segment SUV’s high spec has been achieved on the very reasonable price point of £31,495 – which if the LEAP Grant of £1,500 is factored in lowers the value for the private buyer to £29,995.
The key is the heft of its inhouse technology development capabilities.
“Leapmotor develops and makes around 65% of the automobile’s value in-house,” said Zhong. “That features major components akin to the headlights, all the battery system, the electrical drive motor, the screen – and even the seats, that are designed, engineered and manufactured by Leapmotor.”
That capability has produced a automobile whose latest centralised control architecture has slashed the variety of control units which essentially means less weight and due to this fact higher efficiency while decoupling the B10’s software from the hardware means latest features might be effortlessly added to maintain the automobile continually up thus far.
The battery system has also been updated with the newest technology, including an AI algorithm to maintain the battery in an optimal working condition. Cleverly, the battery thermal management and cabin thermal management systems have been linked to reuse waste heat from the electrical drive to warm the cabin.
Leapmotor has also developed its C2C 2.0 battery chemistry to enable the B10’s 67.1kWh battery pack to deliver an 80% charge in under 20 minutes.
Why Stellantis backing matters to buyers
A lot of those discussions over the B10’s outstanding technology merits will fall on deaf ears. The automobile’s price point will arguably be probably the most compelling element for a lot of – however the deciding factor for cautious buyers can be the name backing it: Stellantis.
In 2023, Stellantis formed a 51:49 three way partnership called Leapmotor International with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor to sell Leapmotor’s inexpensive, high-tech electric vehicles globally outside China, leveraging its vast sales network, resources, and manufacturing expertise.
The familiar, deep-pocketed operator will due to this fact effectively underwrite the essentials people worry about most with a brand new brand, from dealer coverage and parts supply to warranty support and residual values.
Stellantis veteran Damien Dally – who’s now Leapmotor’s managing director explains: “What Leapmotor dropped at the table was genuinely cutting-edge technology at a price point that, frankly, we could only dream of on the time. For the UK customer, meaning the very latest technology and a high level of ordinary specification at a very accessible price.”
Contained in the B10: calm cabin and family space
The very first thing customers will notice after they sit within the B10 is how calm and uncluttered the inside feels. The minimalist design doesn’t read as low cost; it reads as contemporary.
The seats are comfortable, there’s a big selection of adjustment, and importantly for an electrical automobile they go low, which is able to suit especially tall drivers who don’t like feeling as if they’re within the gods on the theatre. Even higher, within the rear seats, there’s standout head and legroom that can matter to taller passengers and growing families.
In truth, here’s where frontline staff could explain how Leapmotor’s advanced battery technology has physically shrunk the battery dimensions to supply those vital extra inches and make it a persuasive, memorable detail within the sales spiel.
Visibility is robust because of good-sized windows, and while the rear screen is slightly narrow, the parking cameras do their job and help the B10 feel easy to position and manoeuvre.
Screen-led interface, Qualcomm power
There aren’t any physical shortcut buttons, however the B10’s interface makes a convincing case for going fully screen-led.
The 14.6-inch 2.5K infotainment display is genuinely among the finest on this space for smoothness and speed, and it delivers that effortless experience customers expect from a smartphone supported because it is by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip technology which allows it to reply swiftly to taps and swipes.
Speech recognition can take a little bit of nursing to get the very best results, so it could possibly be price framing it as a convenience feature somewhat than the one method to manage the automobile’s functions.
In front of the motive force there’s also an 8.8-inch digital display that moves with the steering wheel, so it stays clear even when the motive force changes position. Steering wheel-mounted controls further reflect the inside design philosophy to favour digital interfaces.
Driving feel, performance, practicality
On the road, the B10 is at its best when it’s moving. Initial pull-away from a standing start can feel a touch sluggish, and torque delivery at very low speeds might have been mapped slightly more cleanly.
Once rolling, though, it settles right into a smooth, confident rhythm that suits the family transient. With 215hp driving the rear wheels and a quoted 0-62mph time of eight seconds, it has enough punch for on a regular basis use without feeling prefer it’s trying too hard.
Where the B10 really leans into its family automobile promise is space. The boot is a useful size at 430 litres, expanding to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded, and there’s also a 25-litre front boot under the bonnet that’s handy for charging cables or small items.
The B10 got here top of its class in recent EuroNCAP tests so buyers can rest assured all the protection features are there – and a few – with a rear camera and 360 degree sensor thrown in as standard.
One other modern-EV reality is the EU-mandated external pedestrian sound, which might be irritatingly obvious. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it surely’s higher introduced as a safety-led feature than left for a customer to note and query.
Single-trim strategy and warranty approach
Leapmotor’s UK approach keeps it easy by offering the B10 in a single trim, and it’s the form of trim that removes numerous buying friction since the automobile comes with some great headline features.
It feels magnificently specced for a sensibly sized family automobile with the general package coming across as satisfying, modern and good value while you consider what’s included.
Leapmotor’s Damien Dally explains: “Within the UK, we’ve strategically decided to supply only one version – and it’s the very best specification. Other markets have multiple trims, but we’ve stuck with one.
“It’s appreciated by customers, residual value setters and fleet corporations, it makes ordering easier, and it keeps things easy. Customers want simplicity and ease is certainly one of our brand values.”
Interestingly, for a Chinese latest entry brand, the B10 is simply being offered with a four-year warranty – the battery is roofed for eight.
Dally explains that Leapmotor consulted residual value expert CAP on the impact of warranty length and located that extending cover beyond 4 years would make only a small difference.
Given that the majority of the finance the business is currently writing is on three- or four-year terms, he says the brand due to this fact opted for a four-year warranty so it could keep pricing “super-keen”.
“Most of our customers thus far have taken a three- or four-year deal, and folks want that peace of mind for themselves, not necessarily the following owner. And, in fact, the battery warranty is eight years,” he told AM.
Verdict
From a retail standpoint, the B10 is the form of product that advantages from a confident, uncomplicated pitch. For many shoppers, though, the clincher can be the equipment story.
It looks good, it’s comfortable, the screen experience feels premium, and the one-trim strategy means the shopper spends less time worrying about what they is likely to be missing. This can be a fully loaded, easy-to-live-with family EV.
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
