Leapmotor B03X revealed as tiny boxy SUV with 300-mile range

Stellantis-backed Chinese brand Leapmotor has unveiled what is set to be one of the longest-range small electric SUVs when it arrives in the UK, likely late next year.

The B03X (known as the A10 in China) is claimed to be able to drive 378 miles as measured on the more generous China cycle, with a European figure expected to be closer to 300 miles.

No battery size figure was given but it’s expected to use the same 67.1kWh pack as the larger Leapmotor B10, which is rated for 270 miles. The same 215bhp rear-mounted electric motor could also be carried over.

The B03X is the first of a range of smaller models from Leapmotor, and will be followed by a lower-riding supermini in the vein of the Volkswagen ID Polo and Renault 5. 

These cars will be built on the same rear-wheel-drive 'Leap 3.5' platform as bigger models from the company, including the B10, promising more sophisticated technology and increased space compared to the current T03 electric city car. 

While bigger models are available as range-extended hybrid versions in some markets, the B03X will be sold with only an electric drivetrain.

The new B03X name references the car's boxy shape, which one executive at the Guangzhou motor show unveiling compared to a Japanese Kei car. Despite the upright shape, the company claims the model will be efficient thanks in part to a slippery 0.26Cd drag coefficient.

Few details were released about the car’s technology but it has been confirmed to come with advanced driver assistance, an ‘AI-powered’ cockpit, and over the air updates throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Lidar will be added to the suite of sensors to facilitate the car’s Level 2 semi-autonomous driving skills, although that’s likely to be restricted to the Chinese market.