I drove the £16k Chinese EV – it was great apart | Tech News

There is no doubting that China goes to play an more and more important position on the UK’s new car market. In 2024 alone, almost 100,000 new automobiles purchased by Brits got here from the nation – a determine that may solely rise with the inflow of firms launching this yr.

However, in the eyes of many UK motorists, it is best the satan , which means that Leapmotor could quickly be one of the most recognisable Chinese car manufacturers in the nation.

Established in Hangzhou at the finish of 2015 and building their first model in 2019, Leapmotor first got here to the consideration of UK petrolheads after they have been purchased by Stellantis in 2023 – proprietor of 13 different manufacturers, together with staples like Fiat, Vauxhall, and Peugeot.

As a outcome, we already know that Leapmotors may have a robust dealership community – sharing space alongside the traditional Corsas and 500s and Stellantis & You showrooms, and their entry-degree model, the T03 electric supermini, is marketed at the very tempting price of simply £15,995.

Whilst the Chinese-designed and Polish-made T03 shouldn’t be fairly least expensive new electric model, with the Romanian-designed but Chinese-built Dacia Spring costing £1,000 much less, it nonetheless represents one of the least expensive methods to get into a new car of any type. But, can this Chinese newcomer beat the Dacia and, maybe more crucially, military of second-hand EVs from conventional manufacturers?

Styling:

Whilst many Brits assume that Chinese automobiles are virtually all the time styled after common Western alternate options, the Leapmotor T03’s seems to be are decidedly distinctive. The entrance finish, specifically, manages to look fairly cute, with its bug-eye headlights and barely piggy nostril, helped by the outsized panel containing the charging port.

Unfortunately, these design cues don’t characteristic at the rear of the model, with a set of horizontal taillights related by a black bar that spans throughout the unusually formed tailgate and a largely flat panel on the back bumper, giving the T03 a slightly generic look.

Also considerably non-particular is the Leapmotor’s vary of colors, with UK drivers getting white as customary or, as a £650 optionally available further, Glacier Blue (as pictured) or a Starry Silver. The Chinese market will get a quantity of different colors, together with a very vivid orange, however at the very least all UK-spec automobiles characteristic are two-tone, that includes a black roof.

Interior:

Despite its low price, moving into the Leapmotor is kind of a shocking expertise. Sure, it’s no Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the dashboard has its honest share of arduous black plastics, however the common match and end is sweet.

Whilst a black and gray fabric inside could sound considerably boring, particularly in comparison with the ivory-colored various supplied in the Chinese market, the full-dimension glass roof that comes as customary helps to provide the complete inside a brighter, more spacious really feel.

Unlike most new automobiles, the T03 doesn’t include a cumbersome centre console, however there may be enough space to store a couple of cups between the two seats and operate the digital handbrake. Like a growing quantity of EVs, the computerized gearbox is managed by a column shift close to the steering wheel.

Practicality:

You may not assume it, however practicality is definitely one of the Leapmotor T03’s strongest factors. At 3.62 metres long and 1.65 metres vast, it’s actually not a massive car however has a notably larger roofline than most different fashions.

As a outcome, occupants entrance and rear have a superb quantity of headroom. Perhaps even more surprisingly, nevertheless, with the entrance seat pushed barely ahead, I had a very first rate quantity of legroom – more than I’ve encountered in a lot bigger fashions, together with compact crossovers.

Unfortunately, the first rate quantity of rear space comes at a price, with the boot that includes an awkward form and capability of simply 210 litres – round 100 much less than the Dacia Spring and Citroen e-C3. The rear seat can fold flat, boosting the load quantity to 508 litres; nevertheless, I would have appreciated to have seen a cut up-folding back for these events when drivers need more boot space however nonetheless enough room for 3 occupants.

Features:

Currently, UK consumers can solely get one model of the Leapmotor T03. However, it is loaded with customary gear, together with fairly a few goodies consumers can’t get with the little Dacia. These embrace a set of 15-inch alloy wheels, air con, a 10-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth (though no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto), a full-dimension glass roof, and a significantly clear reversing digital camera.

That mentioned, I was stunned to search out that the T03 doesn’t characteristic a rear window wiper or a parcel shelf. Reader, my good friend’s Ford Fiesta Popular Plus has each of these luxuries, regardless of being made in 1991!

The overwhelming majority of controls are accessed by way of the Leapmotor’s touchscreen, with the quantity, heater controls, and boot release all the time out there from the backside of the show. That mentioned, most icons are a little on the small facet, which means drivers will need to take their eyes off the highway to make use of them and sure undergo a quantity of awkward menus, which may take some getting used to.

Performance:

Nobody would count on a car like the Leapmotor T03 to be a ball of fire however, in comparison with the Dacia Spring’s two energy choices, it packs a honest punch. All T03s are fitted with a single electric motor that drives the entrance wheels – producing a particularly reasonable 94bhp.

As a outcome, the Leapmotor will attain a prime velocity of 81mph and dash from 0-62mph in 12.7 seconds – about a second much less than the strongest Dacia Spring however two more than the Citroen e-C3 and entry-degree Renault 5 E-Tech.

The Leapmotor is presently solely fitted with one battery, that includes a 37.3kWh usable capability, which permits the T03 to cowl a vary of up to 165 miles per charge. As a outcome, the little Leapmotor is right for metropolis driving and the odd prolonged journey.

Driving:

Even figuring out the efficiency figures, I was notably impressed by how spritely the Leapmotor T03 feels. Pull away along with your foot pretty planted on the accelerator, and the low-cost hatchback will rocket its method up to 30 or 40mph.

Ride high quality is completely acceptable, significantly for such a low-cost model, however homeowners will discover a small quantity of physique roll in the event that they take corners a little too rapidly. That mentioned, at low speeds, the Leapmotor is impressively manoeuvrable, with a turning circle of below 10 metres.

Unfortunately, the one driving attribute that I didn’t get pleasure from a lot about the Leapmotor T03 was the handling. Whilst drivers can select from three steering settings, I discovered even the Sport mode to be a little too mild for my liking.

Also value noting is that, on the explicit take a look at car I acquired, the very edges of the entrance tyres would rub in opposition to the arches when taking tight bends in car parks – not a noise any driver want to hear when positioning their car close to high kerbs!

Conclusion:

For an electric car that prices much less than most mainstream petrol-powered metropolis automobiles, the Leapmotor T03 does have a lot going for it. I’d argue that nothing that small has a lot room for rear passengers, and it has enough energy and vary to make it sensible for appreciable quantities of driving.

That mentioned, the little T03 actually has its flaws. The extremely-mild steering makes driving notably much less pleasing, while some very useful options that drivers count on on automobiles of any price are lacking.

I assume the Leapmotor T03 actually has its place in the market, although – significantly amongst drivers involved in leasing or getting into a wage sacrifice scheme via work. For drivers who insist on a new model, the T03 would make a first rate entry into the world of electric motoring for a younger household or as a second car for use for varsity runs and purchasing journeys.