First official photos of Leapmotor’s new Lafa 5 EV

It seems Volkswagen ID.3 is about to get some new, and rather unexpected, competition. Chinese automaker Leapmotor, with the backing of global automotive giant Stellantis, is preparing to unveil the Lafa 5, a compact electric hatchback designed for the European market. We have the first official, albeit camouflaged, photos of the car days before its formal debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich on September 8.

Leapmotor has a clear strategy: take on established European brands on their home turf. The Lafa 5, known internally by its codename B05, is a direct challenge to one of the segment’s leaders. By targeting the Volkswagen ID.3, Leapmotor is making a bold statement about its ambitions. The Lafa 5 is expected to be similar in size to the German hatchback, which measures 167.8 inches long, 71.2 inches wide, and 61.1 inches tall.

From the outside, the Lafa 5 follows the modern EV design playbook. The camouflaged photos reveal a smooth, aerodynamic shape featuring a closed-off front end, curved headlights connected by a sleek LED light bar, and an additional air intake in the lower bumper. To reduce drag and improve efficiency, designers gave the car a sleek hood line and retractable door handles.

The rear gets sculpted fenders, a single continuous taillight unit, and a sporty roof spoiler. Interestingly, earlier teaser images showed the car with a LiDAR sensor on the roof for advanced driver-assistance systems, but it is missing from the latest photos, suggesting it may be reserved for higher-end versions.

Leapmotor has remained tight-lipped about the Lafa 5’s official specifications, but we can make some educated guesses. The hatchback is built on the company’s LEAP 3.5 modular platform, which it shares with the B10 crossover. It’s likely the powertrain options will be similar as well.

If so, customers can expect an entry-level model with a 132 kW (177 horsepower) electric motor powered by a 56.2 kWh LFP battery. A more powerful version could feature a 160 kW (215 hp) motor and a larger 67.1 kWh LFP battery. Automakers often use LFP, or lithium iron phosphate, batteries in their standard-range electric cars because the technology is durable and more affordable to produce.

The story of the Lafa 5 is about the shifting dynamics of the global auto industry. Last year, Stellantis - the parent company of brands like Jeep, Peugeot, and Fiat - invested heavily in Leapmotor. This partnership gives the Chinese startup access to a vast global network for sales and manufacturing, a huge advantage for any new brand trying to expand.

Leapmotor Technology’s Senior Vice President, Cao Lin, made the company’s intentions clear, stating, “the arrival of Leapmotor Lafa 5 will become the new main force for Leapmotor to conquer overseas markets in the future.”

This global push comes at a time of big growth for Leapmotor. The company has proven to be a serious player in the highly competitive Chinese market. From January to August of this year, Leapmotor sold an impressive 328,859 electric cars and even achieved a semi-annual net profit, a rare feat for an EV startup.

With a lineup of seven models already available in China, Leapmotor is now taking advantage of its partnership with Stellantis to introduce its technology to a worldwide audience, and the Lafa 5 hatchback is set to lead that charge together with the B10, C10 and the tiny T03 already available across Europe.

Via