The Leapmotor B05 Ultra is not what we came to expect from "Ultra"

The Beijing Auto Show 2026 saw 181 debuts, and one of them was a new member of the affordable performance sector. Leapmotor officially launched the B05 Ultra, a quick electric hatchback that wants to prove you do not need a fortune to drive something fast. In its home market of China, the car goes by the name Lafa 5 Ultra, and while many "Ultra" electric cars carry price tags that make buyers wince, this new model is trying a different path by keeping things budget-friendly. A budget-friendly Ultra?

You can spot the Ultra version of this car fairly easily - designers added sporty side skirts and a large wing on the roof to make it look more aggressive. The front bumper gets large air intakes that help with cooling and style. It also rolls on 19-inch wheels and uses gray brake calipers. Even the badges on the car are finished in gray to give it a stealthy look. If you want to buy one, you can pick between three colors: yellow, green, or gray.

But the Leapmotor B05 Ultra is not only about looks, though. It gets a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 180 kW - about 241 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque. This power allows the 4.5-m-long hatchback to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. Now - that's definitely not what we got used to seeing in all other "Ultra" EVs up to this point - but relatively, this still is a quick car, especially fast in this price range. But do not expect to win many long-distance races on the highway - the top speed is limited to 106 mph. It seems "Ultra" describes the acceleration more than the top-end speed.

Thankfully, Leapmotor engineers focused on how the car manages the corners. The B05 Ultra has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution between the front and back wheels. This balance, combined with a stiff suspension, helps the car stay flat and stable during sharp turns. The car weighs 1,665 kg, which is relatively light for a modern battery-powered vehicle. Its dimensions are 176.8 inches in length, 74 inches in width, and 59.4 inches in height.

When it comes to the battery, buyers have two choices. Both options use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology, with the entry-level model getting the smaller 56.2 kWh battery pack. This version can travel 311 miles on a single charge. If you need more distance, the higher trim level comes with a 67.1 kWh battery. This larger pack increases the driving range to 373 miles. These range figures are based on the Chinese testing cycle, so they will be quite a bit lower in real-world driving, especially if you enjoy the B05 Ultra as you supposed to.

Inside the cabin, the car feels surprisingly high-end. Almost everything is covered in black faux-suede. In fact, there are 4.48 square meters of this soft material throughout the interior. The front seats are built for comfort, offering both ventilation and an 8-point massage function. This is a rare find in EVs at this price point. Drivers will also appreciate the heated steering wheel during cold winter mornings. It is clear that the company wanted the interior to feel like a premium space.

Technology is another area where this car stands out. It has a LiDAR-based driving system. This uses lasers to help the car see the road and other vehicles, and in turn, the car can help with steering and even has an autonomous parking feature - it can find a spot and tuck itself in while the driver watches.

The pricing is probably the most impressive detail. The base Leapmotor B05 Ultra starts at RMB 123,800 ($18,135). Leapmotor is even offering a limited-time discount that brings the price down to RMB 118,800 ($17,400). The top-trim version with the bigger battery costs RMB 129,800 ($19,015), or ($18,280) with the discount. Compared to the regular B05, which costs between $14,330 and $17,840, the Ultra offers a lot more speed for a bit more money.

Leapmotor is hoping this new version will boost its sales numbers. The standard B05 has already found 5,960 buyers in China so far. The new Ultra models began arriving at dealerships in early April, and deliveries are expected to start any day now. But the best news for us is that this model will eventually end up in Europe courtesy of Stellantis. Obviously it won't come at such a low price, since the standard model starts under $31,600, but we might see a decent electric hot-hatch for around $35,000, and that would be good news for many buyers.