Leapmotor B05 Ultra is coming to Europe

07 October 2025

The world of electric cars is growing up pretty quick. Not that long ago, the main conversation about EVs revolved around range and charging times. Now, we are starting to talk about fun, performance, and driver excitement. Chinese automaker Leapmotor is stepping into this area with a powerful new EV, the B05 Ultra - an electric hot hatch that's getting a splash of European engineering from Stellantis.

First seen in its standard form at the 2025 Munich Motor Show, the Leapmotor B05 is a compact hatchback. The B05 Ultra, known as the Lafa 5 Ultra in its home market of China, is its more aggressive and powerful sibling.

The Ultra model features a complete aerodynamic package with an aggressive front splitter, a prominent rear spoiler, and various gloss-black accents that distinguish it from the base model. The company insists these additions are for function, not just flair, helping to improve stability at speed. Both the standard and Ultra models will ride on 19-inch alloy wheels.

To make the B05 Ultra a true performance machine, Leapmotor tapped into the expertise of its partner, Stellantis. Engineers from the European conglomerate were heavily involved in tuning the car's chassis. The result is a platform with a nearly perfect 50:50 weight distribution, a key ingredient for nimble and predictable handling in corners.

This collaboration will have to prove that electric cars from China can be more than just affordable appliances. Both companies believe that Chinese EVs can be genuinely engaging to drive. The car itself is built on Leapmotor's LEAP 3.5 modular platform and measures 4.43 meters in length.

Leapmotor has been somewhat generous about the exterior and chassis, but the company is keeping the interior under wraps for now. A full reveal of the cabin is expected later this year. Senior Vice President Cao Li has confirmed the B05 Ultra will feature "extensive suede-like materials" to create a sporty and high-performance atmosphere inside. The focus, again, is on a blend of purposeful design and driver-focused ergonomics, a philosophy that appears to guide the entire project.

But the real excitement, of course, will be the powertrain. The standard European versions of the B05 will be offered with single-motor setups delivering 177 horsepower and 215 horsepower, with an estimated range between 249 miles and 311 miles. The B05 Ultra is rumored to be in a different league entirely.

Industry observers expect a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system pushing anything between 320 and 400 horsepower. If those numbers hold true, the B05 Ultra will compete directly with established electric performance models like the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX and the MG4 XPower. So, no pressure at all.

Leapmotor has designed the B05 Ultra for a younger demographic. According to the company, around 70% of early customers who placed blind orders in China are under the age of 35. The standard B05 is expected to launch in China by late 2025, with the high-performance B05 Ultra following in the first half of 2026.

In Europe, the standard models are projected to be priced under £26,000. The Ultra will obviously command a higher price, but it is expected to be a competitive and affordable option, potentially undercutting its European rivals. And if you had any doubts that Leapmotor can deliver a fast EV, just look at the 585-horsepower C10 AWD.