Stellantis-owned Chinese car maker has shown off an aggressively priced fastback pitched at cost-conscious young buyers.
The Leapmotor B01 has been unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai motor show as a sleek fastback sedan offering up to 650km range at half the price of a Tesla Model 3.
The car maker said the B01 – which at 4770mm long is similar in size to the Tesla Model 3, marginally larger than a BYD Seal – will be priced from around ¥100,000 ($AU21,585) when it goes on sale in China this July.
While half the Chinese price of a Tesla Model 3 – which starts at ¥235,500 ($AU50,836) – the ¥100,000 ($AU21,585) starting point will see it directly pitched against a number of rivals in a domestic electric car price war.
This includes the BYD Seagull, Toyota bZ3X and the Geely Geome Xingyaun, all electric vehicles offered at the same price point – or lower – in China, but not available in Australia.
MORE: Leapmotor electric ute not ruled out
The Leapmotor B01 has not been confirmed for Australia by Stellantis, the Chinese brand’s parent company which imports Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Fiat here.
The cheapest electric car currently in Australian showrooms – not counting run-out and temporary special offers – is the BYD Dolphin priced at $29,990 before on-road costs.
Few official details of the B01 were revealed at the Shanghai show unveiling, but Leapmotor showed off the five-door fastback with a claim to be one of the world’s most aerodynamic bodies.
It is more aerodynamic than a Tesla Model S or a Porsche Taycan high performance electric cars – according to its official drag coefficient of 0.197 – meaning the B01 is able to push through the air with less energy, to enable a greater range from a single charge.
MORE: Leapmotor Australia eyeing substantial market coverage with new models
Leapmotor hasn’t shared official powertrain details, with no information on the number of motors, power or battery type, but says the slippery shape enables a 650km range (CLTC or China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle).
According to Car News China, government documents show a 132kW electric motor and a more powerful 160kW will be available, with a 56.2kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by CALB (China Aviation Lithium Battery).
The B01 cabin includes a 14.6-inch centre touchscreen with OTA (Over The Air) updates, 256-colour ambient lighting system and a 460-litre boot which has a 70-litre ‘magic expansion space’ underneath.
MORE: Leapmotor on track to outsell Jeep and Alfa Romeo, its fellow Stellantis brands
Car News China also reported the B01 interior will be offered with an optional panoramic roof, while Driver Assistance Technology will use Lidar sensors rather than cameras favoured by Tesla.
Leapmotor arrived in Australia with its sub-$50k C10 electric SUV in late 2024 – offering Tesla Model Y space for BYD Atto 3 money – with a plug-in hybrid range-extender version confirmed for later this year.
The C10 remains the sole offering for now, but Leapmotor is planning on 10 models in Australian showrooms by 2027, with the smaller B10 SUV due in 2026 with a large SUV also on the cards.
The post Leapmotor B01 is a $20k cut-price Tesla Model 3 rival appeared first on Drive.