Leapmotor, the new Chinese brand that's part of the Stellantis Group, has just announced Irish pricing for its compact T03 electric city car, and it's safe to say it's pretty affordable…
How much are we talking?
Not much, as it happens. Inclusive of grants, the T03 starts at €18,950, which makes it more expensive than the most basic Dacia Spring, but slightly cheaper than the most affordable Hyundai Inster.
How much range does it have?
The T03 comes with a 37.3kWh battery, giving it a one-charge range of up to 265km, which means it's also roughly between the Spring and the Inster in terms of range. It's slow to charge, though, taking 30 minutes to do a 30-80 per cent charge, but equally, on the recent Autobest challenge, the T03 exceeded its official range, reaching 290km on one charge.
What about equipment?
This is Leapmotor's ace card — the T03 comes in only one spec, called Style, and as standard it includes such high-end items as 15-inch alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, a ten-inch touchscreen, an eight-inch digital driver's display, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, and keyless start.
Leapmotor is imported in Ireland by Gowan Auto, which also manages all of the other Stellantis brands here, and Brand Manager at Leapmotor Ireland, Stephen McGrath, said: “Leapmotor is committed to delivering best-in-class specification and technology as standard, with ultra-keen pricing, across an extensive range of 3 models by 2026, and a further 3 by 2027. Our brand positioning statement “Take the Leap”, is a clear invitation to go electric and with Leapmotor, it has never been easier, more cost-effective or more rewarding to transition to zero-emissions.” He continued: “Our first model to launch in the Irish market this October is T03. It aims to redefine value for Irish motorists, ensuring the road to full electric mobility is accessible to all and positioning it as the ideal choice for city and suburban drivers across Ireland.”
What about Leapmotor's other models?
The big and luxurious C10 SUV is also due on sale here shortly (Shane has tested it on Irish roads here…), and while prices for that haven't yet been announced, it should start from close to €40,000, and comes in both fully-electric and range-extender forms. Next week at the Munich motor show, Leapmotor will also be showing off an all-new electric hatchback, which will be a rival to the likes of the VW ID.3 and the Opel Astra Electric.
Where can I buy one?
We're still waiting for Irish dealership announcements for Leapmotor, but they should be coming soon, and will doubtless be part of the existing Gowan Auto dealership family.