Leapmotor, the Chinese electric vehicle maker part-owned by Stellantis, has launched the B03X, a family hatchback that marks a move away from its SUV-heavy range.
The model widens the brand's coverage downward, following the C10 SUV in 2024 and the B10 compact SUV.
It takes Leapmotor's local line-up to four models.
The pitch is simple: not every buyer wants a crossover, and a hatchback is an obvious way to reach the rest.
First-drive coverage was mildly playful, with reviewers noting the B03X "wants to light up your smile", a nod to its cheerful design.
In Europe, prices start at €24,900, with a WLTP-rated range of up to 382 kilometres.
Whether it becomes a mainstream choice or a niche alternative will hinge on the usual questions of specification, safety, range and price.
For now, the significance is straightforward: a brand built on SUVs has given non-SUV buyers another electric option.
One flag worth weighing before you run it: RTE frames the B03X as a hatchback, but most UK, European and Australian reviewers file it as a compact crossover or small SUV. The "hatchback" line is defensible as RTE's and Leapmotor's positioning, but it isn't universal, so you may want to soften to "hatchback-style" if the category matters to your readers.
