Taking a ‘leap’ into a crowded market – is a new Stellantis joint venture going to disrupt the electric vehicle sector?
Established in 2015, Leapmotor has sights firmly set on the European market.
Two models are already confirmed for the Chinese brand, with the first coming to the UK in March and produced in Poland – meaning Stellantis will reduce taxes added to locally-built cars.
The first will be a Dacia Spring rival, the ‘T03’ with a 36.5kWh battery and up to 165 miles of range. In comparison, the Spring has a 27kWh battery and 140 miles of range. However, little is known about charging speeds and how the car will fair in the real world.
The T03 isn’t short of kit, with an 8-inch driver display and 10.1-inch centre screen taking over the cabin. OTA, Over the Air technology, will allow the car to be at the top its game. Five doors make this a perfect car for a small family. Preheating the battery is also available on this model, with a panoramic roof ensuring the car is always airy.
Production is to start in September and sales in March.
The C10, a mid-size SUV, is the second car to ‘spring’ Leapmotor into the European market. Based on the LEAP 3.0 Architecture, the C10 boasts 261 miles of range and a five-star safety award with Euro NCAP. No information is available regarding the C10 electric motor but will be revealed, ahead of launch in March via existing Stellantis distribution networks.
Alongside these models, Leapmotor also produce a Tesla Model 3 rival, the C01, and a Model Y rival the C11.
Is a new brand scary for you? Are you excited to see these on the streets? Or is it just another electric car brand trying to compete with the big brands. Obviously, Stellantis do know what they are doing – look at the Jeep Avenger, Peugeot E-3008 and Citroen e-C3.
Head over to X and let us know.
Michael Docherty 