Leapmotor, the Stellantis-backed Chinese EV brand, is going full steam ahead with its global expansion plans. Following the launch of the Leapmotor C10 and T03 in Europe, the company is now gearing up to unveil its latest global model, the B10, at the upcoming Paris Motor Show 2024.
Not much has been revealed so far, but Leapmotor has confirmed that the B10 will be a compact C-segment fully electric SUV, designed to compete against the likes of the BMW iX1 and Kia EV3.
The Leapmotor B10 will be built on a new “B platform”, which the company says will play an important role in its globalisation plans. It’ll also be based on its latest “Leap 3.5” electrical architecture, which – together with the new B platform – will serve as the underpinnings for a variety of new models the company is planning to launch in 2025.
Leap 3.5 is an evolution of the electrical architecture found on the Leapmotor C10, which was recently previewed here in Malaysia ahead of its official launch.
READ MORE: Leapmotor C10 previewed in Malaysia, to be launched next month
Based on the teaser images shared by the Chinese carmaker’s Weibo page, the upcoming Leapmotor B10 looks for the most part like a scaled-down version of the C10. It retains the same upright stance as its elder brother, including the short overhangs on both ends due to its long wheelbase, which should offer up much more interior space.
As with the C10, the upcoming Leapmotor B10 will also come with flush door handles and what appears to be full-width taillights at the back. But the front fascia seems to be more sculpted, with a notably pointed nose paired to a lower slung bonnet.
Aside from pure battery EVs, Leapmotor is also making a significant push for range extender (REEV) technology. We presume, like its elder sibling, the B10 will also be offered in a REEV configuration in its home country.
Leapmotor expects to open 350 outlets worldwide by the end of 2024. Among those, over 200 stores will be in Europe. The Chinese carmaker – through Leapmotor International, a joint venture formed between Stellantis and Leapmotor – currently sells its cars in 13 countries within Europe.
It’s currently eyeing an expansion towards India and Asia Pacific countries, and Malaysia will be the first in the region, with the official launch of the Leapmotor C10 slated for next month.
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