Leapmotor B03X: Even smaller, cheaper electric SUV under study for Australia

The Leapmotor A10 – known as the B03X in markets outside China – is under consideration for launch in Australia, where it would be a direct rival for the nation’s cheapest electric SUV, the BYD Atto 2.

“A10 is something that’s being considered,” confirmed Stellantis Australia senior product manager Rick Crichton at the local launch of the larger Leapmotor B10, which is priced from $38,990 drive-away.

At that price, the B10 undercuts the MG S5 EV (from $40,490 drive-away) and matches the Chery E5 to become Australia’s equal-cheapest small electric SUV.

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However, the smaller A10/B03X would compete directly with the smaller-still Atto 2, which is positioned below BYD’s pioneering Atto 3 (from $39,990 before on-road costs) and became Australia’s most affordable electric SUV in November with a starting price of $31,990 plus ORCs.

If it’s sold here, the B03X would likely become Leapmotor Australia’s smallest and most attainable model, especially if it also becomes available with an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain like the mid-size C10 electric SUV has, and the new B10 small SUV is expected to.

Despite its more complicated export name, which is inconsistent with the B10 and C10 and should not be confused with the Toyota bZ3X small electric SUV sold in China, Mr Crichton said Leapmotor’s international model naming strategy will eventually make sense.

“Leapmotor has renamed A10 to B03X for export markets,” he said. “I will trust that the Leapmotor strategists have a bigger plan in place for where the name slots in and make sense.”

Before the name change, Leapmotor offered four clearly delineated model ‘families’: A-series, referring to city cars and SUVs like the A10; as well as small B-series, mid-size C-series, and large D-series vehicles.

It’s already fleshed out its B- and C-series model lines and is now focusing on expanding its A- and D-series lines, the latter including a new flagship large SUV called the D19, which would rival the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9 if it made it to Australia.

Due on sale in China this year, Leapmotor’s new range-topper is expected to offer three rows of seating, and will likely be offered as either an electric vehicle (EV) or a range-extended EV (REEV, in Leapmotor-speak). The brand has never offered any other powertrain type since it started producing its first vehicles in 2019.

The new SUV will be one of two or three models in Leapmotor’s D series of vehicles, with another set to be a people mover. These will be the brand’s largest models, logically slotting in above A-, B- and C-series vehicles.

Mr Crichton said all of these big new Leapmotor models are under consideration for this market.

“Yeah, it’s something that we’re always looking at. Nothing we can confirm today or at the moment,” he said.

“Certainly, the product portfolio in China is continuing to expand, and it certainly gives us a lot of options to pick.”

One new model that has been confirmed for Australian release is the Volkswagen Golf-sized, rear-wheel drive B05 electric hatch, which was shown at the Munich motor show in Germany in September 2025, and will become Leapmotor’s third model line Down Under in the second half of this year.

“So that will be coming to us in the back half of this year as well,” said Mr Crichton. “The B05 will be the third model here. It looks great in yellow – it’s a cool sporty colour. I’m glad you guys are excited by a hatch because I am too.”

Asked whether the battery-powered hot hatch, which will be aimed at the MG 4 (priced from $37,990 drive-away), will become Australia’s cheapest electric hatchback, Mr Crichton said: “Would that be a good headline? I’m not here to talk about B05 pricing or spec or anything, other than acknowledging it’s coming.”

Further afield, senior Leapmotor executives have also confirmed the company is studying the feasibility of an electric ute, which would be dependent on sufficient demand from a number of markets including Australia.

“I put my hand up for lots of things,” said Mr Crichton when asked if a Leapmotor ute had been requested for Australia.

“They are aware that a ute would perform well here, as well as in a lot of other markets. Yeah, I think it would suit the Australian market really well. So I’m going to leave it at that.”

Previewed and then revealed at the Guangzhou motor show in November, the Leapmotor A10/B03X is now on sale in China where it’s claimed to deliver class-leading EV range.

At 4200mm long, 1800mm wide and 1600mm high on a 2600mm-plus wheelbase, the A10 is 110mm shorter, 30mm narrower and 75mm lower than the Atto 2, which has a WLTP range of 345km.

The A10 offers 500km of range according to the more lenient CLTC standard, which equates to around 425km WLTP, thanks to an “ultra-high-density” lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

Chinese versions of the A10 use LiDAR for their advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping functions, despite the technology recently being dropped by Volvo. 

Built on Leapmotor’s latest ‘LEAP’ chassis architecture, the A10 is claimed to offer “door-to-door” ADAS tech, an “AI-powered cockpit”, and over-the-air software updates “throughout the vehicle lifecycle”.

Exterior design features include semi-hidden door handles, a floating roof, and a smile-shaped lighting signature, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels and six bright exterior paint colours.

Leapmotor says the A10 will target “rational customers seeking an affordable yet premium second vehicle for daily commutes, as well as first-time EV buyers upgrading from ICE compacts without compromising on safety, space, or smart technology”.

The independent Chinese automaker arrived in Australia in late 2024 with the C10, EV and REEV versions of which last year attracted 579 buyers – far fewer than the 3944 sales notched up in a shorter period by its direct rival, the Geely EX5, which launched the compatriot brand here in early 2025.

MORE: Explore the Leapmotor showroom