The LeapMotor T03 city car has just secretly arrived in Europe. The number of brands distributed in Europe is increasing, especially those offering electric models. It is the turn of the start-up LeapMotor to land, starting with its T03 city car.
Chinese startup LeapMotor is one of the fastest growing startups in 2021 and 2022. It had shown little official interest in launching outside its home market. But it is finally coming to Europe this year. Unlike Nio, BYD, Hongqi, or Xpeng, which have chosen Norway as their first bridgehead, Leap will be coming to France.
The startup has signed an import agreement with the Toulouse-based company EVE (Espace Véhicule Électrique) France, which is already in charge of distributing Seres and DFSK vans in France. EVE plans to deploy a network of 50 sales and after-sales outlets by the end of the year in France and to double this number next year.
20 000 € for the LeapMotor T03?
The first model offered will be the LeapMotor T03. A 3.62 m long city car. It has an 80 kW engine and a 41.3 kWh battery. Its range in the WLTP cycle is 280 km. This model is mainly responsible for Leap’s success in China.
City car does not mean stripped down. While waiting to know the precise equipment in France, we will recall some of its equipment in China: adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, semi-automatic parking, 8-inch screen for the instrumentation, 10.1-inch screen in the center with a virtual assistant, driver surveillance camera…
This explains why its price should be around 20,000 euros; after the bonus deduction. The final price will be confirmed in a few weeks.
LeapMotor T03, A new addition to the catalog of electric cars in Europe.
Sales will probably decide whether it will be a permanent presence or a trial without follow-up. Afterward, the Leap brand has nevertheless something to add to the catalog. In addition to its first model, the small S01 coupe, which was not very successful, the brand also sells the C11 very well in China.
A 4.75-meter long SUV is available in two or four-wheel drive (200 or 400 kW) with a 78.5 or 89 kWh battery and a range of 510 to 610 km in the CTLC cycle (slightly more than 400 to 500 km in the WLTP).
The Leap C01 sedan is also of interest. Touted as the first electric car with Cell to Chassis batteries, it claims a range of 707 km in the CLTC cycle (about 600 km in WLTP?).