Spec for spec: Leapmotor B10 South Africa’s new most affordable REEV

Announced for South Africa in May this year, Stellantis-backed Leapmotor officially launches its second model in South Africa, the B10, this week.

First revealed in China last year, the smaller sibling of the C10 also becomes South Africa’s new most affordable range-extending electric vehicle (REEV), an accolade held by the former until now.

Dimensions

Sourced from Leapmotor’s Jinhua plant and not the Zaragoza facility in Spain that also produces the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 208, the five-seat B10 rides on the same Leap 3.5 platform as the C10, but with the following dimensions:

• Length: 4 515mm
• Wheelbase: 2 735mm
• Height: 1 655mm
• Width: 1 885mm

Along with a ground clearance of 170mm, the B10, which Leapmotor describes as a hybrid EV and not a REEV, has a claimed boot space of 420-litres, which increases to 1 415-litres with the rear seats folded down.

REEV power

As is already known, the B10 range comprises two variants, Style and Design, both powered by an 18.8-kWh battery pack driving a single electric motor on the rear axle.

Adding to this is the same normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine as the C10, whose 50kW/125Nm is used solely as a generator.

Topping up the battery can, however, still be done via a traditional plug-in hybrid method and not solely through the engine.

Paired to a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), the setup develops 158kW/240Nm, which translates to an electric-only range of 86km, a combined of 900 km with the combustion engine included, and 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. The claimed top speed is 170km/h.

Supporting DC charging up to 46kW will require a waiting time of 20 minutes from 30-80%, and six hours when plugged into an AC outlet up to 6.6kW.

For the time being, the all-electric models available in China and Europe have not been approved for the South African market.

Spec

On the spec front, the entry-level Style has the following as standard:

• 18-inch alloy wheels;
• auto on/off LED headlights;
• folding electric mirrors;
• multi-function steering wheel;
• dual-zone climate control;
• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster;
• six-speaker sound system;
• panoramic glass roof;
• wireless smartphone charging pad;
• 14.6-inch infotainment system;
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

On the safety and driver assistance side, the Style has:

• seven airbags;
• tyre pressure monitor;
• rear parking sensors;
• 360-degree camera system;
• Adaptive Cruise Control;
• Automatic Emergency Braking;
• Driver Attention Alert;
• Lane Keeping Assist;
• Lane Centring;
• Blind Spot Detection;
• Lane Departure Warning;
• Door Open Alert;
• Front and Rear Collision Warning;
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert;
• Reverse Automatic Braking.

Building on the Style, the Design receives rain sense wipers, an electric tailgate and a 12-speaker sound system.

Also standard is:

• ambient lighting;
• electric, heated and ventilated front seats;
• heated steering wheel;
• NFC lock/unlock pad on the driver’s side mirror.

Colours

In total, six colours can be selected:

• Light White;
• Tundra Grey;
• Metallic Black;
• Galaxy Silver;
• Dawn Purple;
• Starry Night Blue

For the Design, a choice of two imitation leather colours are offered; Shadow Grey or Light Grey, with the Style having grey fabric as standard.

Price

Included with each B10’s price tag is a five-year/100 000km warranty, a service plan over the same mileage and timeframe, and an eight-year/150 000km battery warranty.

• B10 Style – R499 900
• B10 Design – R549 900