Leapmotor B05 hatch could get petrol range-extender tech

The Leapmotor B05 electric hatchback could eventually be offered as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) with a petrol engine, but the Chinese brand says it's still working out whether the model needs one.

Speaking at the international media launch of the B05 in Germany, Leapmotor International’s head of commercial operations for Europe, Danilo Annese, said a hybrid or range-extender version of the small hatchback is under discussion.

Asked whether there was demand for a hybrid version of the B05, Mr Annese said “Is there a demand? To be honest, we are discussing it. I don’t know if there is.”

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Leapmotor has already launched range-extender versions of its C10 and B10 SUVs, which are now referred to in Australia as ‘Hybrid EV’ models.

The B10 Hybrid EV recently launched in Australia priced from $37,888 before on-road costs in Style guise and $40,888 before on-roads in Design trim, matching the prices of the equivalent electric versions.

Unlike a conventional hybrid, the B10 Hybrid EV uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as a generator, rather than to drive the wheels directly.

It has an 18.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, 84km of WLTP electric-only range and a claimed combined range of 900km. The larger C10 is also available locally with a petrol range-extender powertrain.

However, the B05 is a smaller car than the C10 and B10 SUVs, and packaging a combustion engine into the hatchback may not be straightforward.

“Originally China told us that this front space of this car was not enough to welcome an engine, and this was the original comments. The chassis is B10. The front, you see, the dimension of the front car is shorter, but as far as I understand, lately we also have discussions on that [range extender], so I do not exclude this," said Mr Annese.

He said Leapmotor’s Chinese research and development operation meant the company was able to move quickly, but any B05 hybrid or range-extender would still need to make commercial sense.

“Is the beauty of research and development in China, that they do not exclude anything. So there are talks also on that,” he said.

“Clearly, we need to see the segment. We need to see the demand. I think we have our space, so we need also to see whether the REV or PHEV, works. Everything is possible, more or less, but of course there needs to be a business case, it’s not for free.”

For now, the B05 has only been detailed as a battery-electric vehicle.

The international B05 range is available with two battery options: a 56.2kWh battery with up to 401km of WLTP range, and a 67.1kWh battery with up to 482km of WLTP range.

The higher-spec B05 Design uses a rear-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and 240Nm, good for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds. It supports DC charging at up to 168kW, with a claimed 30 to 80 per cent charge time of 17 minutes.

Leapmotor says the B05 has been co-developed with Stellantis’ global chassis team and specifically tuned for European driving expectations.

The regular B05 electric hatch is due in Australia in the second half of 2026, where it will sit below the B10 SUV in Leapmotor’s local lineup.

Australian pricing and specifications have not yet been confirmed.

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