Chinese technology company Leapmotor International has just launched the T03 in the UK. This compact five-door electric vehicle provides a decent range for a city car and is affordable. In partnership with Stellantis, Leapmotor intends to make a splash with the T03 in the UK and globally. Why? Well, the fully electric hatchback is small in size with B-segment-like measurements but A-segment-like affordability. It is not a bad drive for what it is and comes with a WLTP range of up to 165 miles. Overall, the T03 is an excellent choice for city driving, pairing agility with a state-of-the-art electric powertrain at an extremely aggressive price.
Styling & Technology
The T03 is available in one trim level only but balances a modern design with the latest technology features. Its interior and unique appearance are great options for those seeking a compact car that doesn’t compromise on comfort, style, or technology - at a budget-friendly price of only £15,995.
The four-seater vehicle is ideally proportioned for city driving. It is 3,620mm long, 1,652mm wide, 1,577mm in height, and has a 2,400mm wheelbase. Classic cues, such as the nicely swept front, give the exterior styling an endearing but classy look. Another defining styling feature is the panoramic sunroof. Then, there are the 15-inch alloy wheels with a petal design in the spokes.
The T03 also comes with fashionable LED daytime running lights and a "Guide Me Home" function. The rear LED taillights are striking and give the T03 a dramatic touch. The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and heated, and the Chinese model even has LED indicators to ensure greater safety.
The Leapmotor T03 has an eight-inch LCD instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch centre screen inside. The system is simple to use for infotainment, navigation, and phone operations. The multifunction steering wheel has voice command and Bluetooth controls for added convenience, and the T03 also has adaptive cruise control.
Handling & Performance
The T03 is powered by an electric motor producing 70kW (95hp) and 158Nm of torque. This motor is ideal for smooth acceleration and easy manoeuvring, especially when navigating busy urban roads.
One of the nice things is that it comes with three driving modes - Eco, Sports, and Standard. The Eco setting has the best regenerative braking and smoother power response, and it’s best suited for maximum efficiency. Sports mode has a faster power response and moderate regenerative braking. Lastly, Standard mode is a compromise, with its lighter regenerative braking permitting the car to creep after the accelerator is released.
Steering is where it's at when driving the T03. With Comfort, Sports, and Standard modes, you can choose how light or responsive you prefer your steering. And it's got a slick ride whether you're nipping around town on the school run or cruising faster roads.
The brakes could be sharper, but they firm up after driving for a while. Either that - or you get used to them. And to be fair, we had driven to the Leapmotor launch in a Tesla with brakes that stopped on a sixpence.
Overall, the Leapmotor T03 blends effortless electric driving with agile handling. With a top speed of 81mph and a 0-62mph time of 12.7 seconds, it’s not the fastest new kid on the block, but it gives good value if you're in the market for a petite yet relatively practical car.
Space & Practicality
The interior of the T03 is inviting, offering 960mm of rear headroom and 950mm of front headroom. Five doors, which is pretty unusual for a city electric car at this price, ensure it’s simple to enter and exit the Leapmotor. The electric sunshade panoramic sunroof mentioned earlier also lets in light to illuminate the space, creating the feeling of an airy environment. In the front, at least, the T03 prioritises ergonomics with its six-way manual adjustment for the driver's seat and four-way adjustment for the passenger seat. These features guarantee an enjoyable and comfortable ride, regardless of the duration of the trip.
The same can’t be said for the back seats. Two adults will fit, but if you’re approaching six feet tall or over, expect your knees to be pressed hard into the seat in front. This is fine for a short hop across town, which is what the T03 is really all about. Tempers might flare in the car on a longer trip, though. That said, two kids in the rear will be fine - until they get to the gangly teenager stage - then you’re back to the same space issues we’ve just described.
The Leapmotor T03's boot is tiny - and the rear windscreen is so close to the back of your head that you shudder to think what would happen to you in a rear-ender. But that can be said for nearly every city car. The actual opening of the boot is narrow, revealing a space of only 210 litres. To put that in perspective, you'll get a couple of medium-sized holdalls in there, a few weekend bags, or a combination of smaller items like shopping and possibly a small, folded pushchair.
The Leapmotor's closest rival, the Dacia Spring, boasts a boot of 308 litres. The Dacia is slightly cheaper than the T03, but the Leapmotor is better equipped.
Running Costs
Leapmotor developed the T03's electric powertrain entirely in-house. At the centre is a 37.3 kWh battery, which, as we’ve said, provides up to 165 miles of range on the combined cycle. It also has an urban driving range of up to 245 miles. The T03 is governed by an Intelligent Battery Management System that uses cloud technology to monitor the battery's condition in real-time and maintain it at an optimal working temperature range all the time.
The T03 has a 6.6 kW onboard charger and can handle 48 kW of peak DC charging power. Charging from 30% to 80% using a home wall box takes approximately 3.5 hours but can be achieved in 36 minutes through a DC charging station.
The T03's long-term reliability is somewhat of a question mark, considering Leapmotor is a relatively new firm. That said, the electric vehicle is covered by a four-year warranty, and the battery is also guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles.
Tim's Verdict
The new Leapmotor T03 is affordable and perfect as a first car or a school-run workhorse - assuming you're okay with going electric. It will also cope with longer
trips and turn heads as you drive by. Yes, the T03 looks unusual, but it's cute and should sell like hotcakes.
If you're a parent considering this car, you might want to know its crash-safety score before you pull the trigger - and that's the only fly in the ointment - Euro NCAP hasn't tested it. That said, the T03 is made of strong stuff. It has a tough body cage that delivers maximum protection. The structure uses high-strength steel and is intended to absorb energy should an impact happen. Therefore, we'd be surprised if the car didn't do well in official assessments.
Finally, as mentioned, the T03 has just one trim level, so it's a more straightforward buying experience. The only choice you'll have to make is what colour to have, and there are three shades: Light White, Starry Silver, and Glacier Blue.
