Leapmotor floors it at Brussels with three debuts and big promises for 2026

The 2026 Brussels Auto Show is underway, and if you thought the EV market was already crowded, Leapmotor is here to tell you there's always room for one more. Or three. After a quiet but productive 2025 where they established a foothold in Europe, the Chinese automaker - supported by its partnership with Stellantis - is kicking off the new year by unveiling a trio of vehicles aimed at covering every base, from city commuting to long-haul road trips.

Last year was essentially a warm-up lap for the brand. In 2025, Leapmotor moved about 35,000 units in Europe and set up 800 sales points. They claim this laid the foundation for what they are calling a "year of acceleration." Judging by the sheer volume of announcements dropping in Brussels, they intend to make good on that promise.

First up is the B03X, making its European premiere. This is the brand's entry into the compact segment, a category that is arguably the most competitive slice of the market right now. Leapmotor describes the design as "cocooning." We'll wait to see how it handles actual cobblestones, but the intent here is clear: offer a smaller, city-friendly alternative to their larger SUVs without stripping away the comfort.

The B03X sits on a new global platform, but the company is keeping specific performance numbers close to the chest for now. The focus, though, is clearly on usability, with the vehicle designed to be agile on tight European streets, and yet spacious enough not to feel like a penalty box. Leapmotor wants to snag buyers who find standard SUVs too bulky and traditional hatchbacks too cramped.

If the B03X is the sensible sibling, the B05 is the one trying to get noticed. Fully unveiled at the show, this C-segment vehicle sports a "wide-body coupé" stance. It measures 74 inches wide, giving it a planted look that is helped by 19-inch "Swift-Wing" alloy wheels and frameless doors. It's available in loud colors like Yellow and Starry Night Blue.

The specs are quite respectable for the class. The B05 can hit 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds, aided by a launch control feature. Power comes from a 67.1 kWh battery pack, which Leapmotor claims delivers a WLTP range of up to 286 miles. When you do run low, DC fast charging can pull in over 170 kW, which should keep pit stops relatively short.

Inside, the B05 tries to dazzle with a massive panoramic roof and a 14.6-inch central screen. It runs on the new Leap OS 4.0 Plus, backed by an AI assistant and a suite of 17 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) functions. The "Cell-to-Chassis" technology integrates the battery into the vehicle's body to maximize interior space, a trick more manufacturers are adopting to squeeze extra legroom out of compact footprints.

The most pragmatic announcement from Leapmotor is the B10 Hybrid EV. Pure EVs might grab the headlines, but Leapmotor knows that not everyone is ready to ditch the gas station entirely. The B10 is an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) - it drives like an electric car but carries a 1.5-liter petrol generator to charge the battery on the fly.

The B10 packs an 18.8 kWh battery that offers about 50 miles of pure electric driving - enough for most daily commutes. But with the generator kicking in, the total combined range stretches to a claimed 559 miles. It's a setup that is very popular in China and is slowly making its way to Europe, offering the "feel" of electric driving without the fear of being stranded.

Leapmotor has priced this B10 version aggressively, with orders opening January 9th starting at $35,000. It comes in two trims, Life and Design, keeping the configuration process simple for buyers.

It is impossible to ignore the corporate muscle behind this push. Leapmotor is the number one Chinese NEV (New Energy Vehicle) startup by sales, having moved 600,000 units in 2025 alone. Partnership with Stellantis gives the company access to one of the world's largest distribution networks, with plans to hit 1,700 sales points across 40 markets globally.

Tianshu Xin, the CEO of Leapmotor International, stated that their goal is "delivering excellent, high-quality vehicles at an accessible price." That is a standard line for any CEO, but with the $35,000 price tag on the B10 and the tech-heavy spec sheet of the B05, they might actually be in a position to deliver. The European market is notoriously difficult for outsiders to crack, but Leapmotor seems to be bringing the right hardware to the fight.

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