The new Chinese car that looks like a Tesla Model | Tech News

A Chinese car company with ties to manufacturers together with Vauxhall, Fiat, and Peugeot has introduced a new electric model that will rival one of the most well-liked Teslas for a considerably decrease price. The Leapmotor B01 is a four-door household saloon with comparable dimensions to the Tesla Model 3, which is set to go on sale in China within the coming months and will launch in European markets within the close to future.

The Stellantis-owned model launched within the UK at the beginning of 2025 and at the moment presents the T03 metropolis car, at the moment the least expensive Chinese electric car within the nation at £15,995, and the C10 – an SUV that rivals the MG HS and Skoda Enyaq. Leapmotor’s newest model presents very comparable styling to the C10, together with a notably skinny set of LED entrance headlights that are related through a black bar beneath a flat bonnet.

The new model additionally seems to have a full-size glass roof, black trim across the entrance and rear bumpers, the entrance of which options small fog lights, and flush-fitting door handles.

Inside, the Leapmotor B01 avoids feeling drab by coating the seats, door playing cards, and dashboard in white supplies and touches of copper trim across the air vents.

Much like the Tesla Model 3, virtually all controls for options such because the radio and air-con system are situated on the massive touchscreen, with nearly no seen tactile buttons.

Nevertheless, there’s a massive centre console between the 2 entrance seats, which seems to offer a wi-fi telephone charger, a pair of cupholders, and a massive storage compartment.

Leapmotor has but to reveal any details about the B01’s powertrain; nonetheless, it’s stated to be considerably more aerodynamic than most electric fashions, together with the Porsche Taycan.

As a outcome, the Chinese CLTC check cycle, which calculates the vary of electric automobiles, claims that the new model can be succesful of protecting up to 404 miles per charge.

The Leapmotor B01 is set to value new car patrons in China round £15,000 – across the similar price as the most cost effective electric car within the UK. However, if the model is exported, the elevated security technology required would imply it might seemingly value between £25,000 and £30,000 – a determine nonetheless round £10,000 much less than the entry-level Tesla Model 3.

Leapmotor remains to be establishing itself within the UK’s new car market, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers recording 193 gross sales within the nation during March 2025.

Whilst the determine remains to be low in comparison with different newcomer manufacturers from China, together with JAECOO, BYD, and OMODA, it might quickly rise due to the model’s connections with Stellantis, the carmaking giant that owns common manufacturers comparable to Citroen, Vauxhall, and Alfa Romeo.

Leapmotor fashions are actually being bought within the company’s big selection of dealerships, with some vehicles additionally set to be produced in European factories.