New Leapmotor A05S to replace the budget champion T03

The EV market is changing fast, and budget-friendly electric vehicles no longer mean bare-bones features and subpar technology. Instead, intense competition is forcing carmakers to integrate high-end equipment into cheap commuter cars. Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor is the latest brand to follow this trend by unveiling its newest compact option.

The company officially introduced the Leapmotor A05S as a smart compact hatchback for the entry-level EV market. It is a special variation of the standard A05 model, and the most notable addition sits right on top of the roof: a prominent laser sensor dome. Apparently, budget daily commuters now need the same laser mapping hardware found on luxury self-driving EVs.

As shown in the official preview images, the Leapmotor A05S sports a "pink-and-ink" two-tone exterior color scheme with a contrasting floating roof. The design uses modern styling touches such as semi-concealed door handles and "smiling face" rear taillights. The A05S is 165.4 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 61.4 inches tall. It also has a wheelbase of 102.6 inches, putting it within the popular A0-segment of compact electric cars.

Under that two-tone bodywork, there are two electric motor choices: 70 kW and 90 kW. These motors draw energy from lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs supplied by Gotion High-tech and Zenergy. Buyers can choose between a 39.8 kWh battery or a larger 53 kWh pack. According to China's official CLTC testing standards, these setups deliver driving ranges of 252 miles and 317 miles respectively.

The inclusion of a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor is a huge strategic pivot among Chinese EV makers. Automotive engineers rely on LiDAR to support advanced driver-assistance systems because it vastly improves how a car identifies road obstacles. Historically, the high manufacturing costs of these sensors kept them limited to premium models, but now, brands use them as ammunition in budget price wars. For instance, BYD added a LiDAR option to its entry-level Seagull hatchback, forcing Leapmotor to respond with the A05S.

Leapmotor wants to put the A05S in the ultra-competitive price bracket of RMB 50,000 to RMB 80,000 ($7,360 to $11,770) - right against established heavyweights like the BYD Dolphin. Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reveals the volume of this sector - wholesale deliveries for A0-class pure electric cars hit 314,000 units in June 2026 alone. That's 32% of the entire battery-electric car market, making it the single largest segment in the country.

The sales figures of existing competitors show exactly the task the new model is up against. The Wuling Bingo, which starts at RMB 56,800 ($8,360), recorded 19,118 sales in June. Meanwhile, the Geely Galaxy Xingyuan compact SUV achieved a massive 33,359 retail deliveries in the same month with a starting price of RMB 61,800 ($9,098). Stealing buyers away from these companies will need more than just a clever pink paint job.

Leapmotor really needs a new volume seller since its previous budget champion, the T03, is quickly fading away. Domestic sales for the T03 dropped to 979 units in May before plummeting to a single, solitary delivery in June. The company is clearing out leftover domestic inventory as factory lines shift production focus toward export markets, mainly Europe. The A05S must step into this vacuum immediately to keep the brand's momentum.

The Stellantis-backed automaker has set an incredibly ambitious global delivery target of 1 million vehicles for the year 2026. Leapmotor delivered an impressive, record-breaking 93,376 EVs globally in June, with 72,376 EVs going to Chinese buyers. The larger A10 compact SUV accounted for 24,865 of those deliveries, which is roughly one-third of all domestic sales.

During the first half of the year, Leapmotor achieved total deliveries of 356,487 units, tracking a 60.82% year-on-year growth rate. Corporate management expects the new A-series family, which includes both the A10 and the incoming A05 variants, to generate 60% of total company sales. The official market rollout for the new hatchback will happen during the summer window, and its success will determine whether Leapmotor can diversify its sales mix or stay vulnerable to market shifts.

Via