Leapmotor's A05 Hatchback Goes on Sale at 63,900 Yuan, and Fits LiDAR From 85,900

Leapmotor put the A05 on sale in Hangzhou on Tuesday, a day later than planned after Typhoon Dolphin came ashore in Zhejiang. The compact electric hatchback costs between 63,900 and 90,900 yuan, and is the second car to use the company's A platform, following the small A10 SUV.

Buyers choose between two lithium iron phosphate packs, 39.8 kWh and 53 kWh, rated at 405 km and 510 km on the CLTC cycle. The single motor comes in 70-kW and 90-kW forms, top speed is 160 km/h, and the larger pack recharges from 30% to 80% in 16 minutes.

The specification that matters is further up the range. From the 510 LiDAR trim at 85,900 yuan, the car gains a lidar unit and a second Qualcomm chip, the 8650, running 43 assistance functions including door-to-door navigation. Leapmotor claims no other premium hatchback in the class offers both lidar and door-to-door driving. Lower trims still get the 8295 cockpit chip, an 8.88-inch cluster, a 14.6-inch central screen and 12 speakers.

At 4,200 mm long on a 2,605 mm wheelbase, the A05 is sized for city use, and Leapmotor says it is aimed mainly at young women. Boot space runs from 474 litres to 1,308 with the seats down. Launch incentives include up to 10,680 yuan of benefits, two years of interest-free finance and four warranty items covered for life.

The segment it enters is the most crowded in China. Geely's Xingyuan led it in July with 32,306 units; BYD's Dolphin sold 34,910, up 75.74% on the year; two more cleared 10,000 apiece, the QQ3 EV from Chery and Wuling's Bingo Pro. Leapmotor's own A10, on sale since March from 65,800 yuan, managed 26,424 in July. The company crossed 100,000 monthly deliveries for the first time that month, at 101,267.