Chinese EV manufacturer Leapmotor officially launched its B05 C-hatchback in Ireland at a press event in Gowan Auto’s headquarters in Citywest on September 7, 2026, according to announcements from Leapmotor Ireland. The fully electric model has been available nationwide for test drives and purchases across the brand’s dealer network since mid-August 2026.
Pricing and Trim Specifications for the Irish Market
The Leapmotor B05 enters the competitive C-segment hatchback category starting at €28,998, with prices inclusive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) rebate, according to Leapmotor Ireland. Stephen McGrath, Brand Manager of Leapmotor Ireland, noted that the model brings C-segment space and specifications to traditional B-segment price points without requiring buyers to pay an electric vehicle premium.
Leapmotor structures the B05 lineup across three distinct versions utilizing two battery options and two trim levels:
- B05 STYLE (56.2 kWh battery): Offers up to 401 km of WLTP range, priced from €28,998.
- B05 STYLE (67.1 kWh battery): Offers up to 485 km of WLTP range, priced from €31,487.
- B05 DESIGN (67.1 kWh battery): Offers up to 485 km of WLTP range, priced from €32,984.
Entry-level STYLE trims come equipped with 19-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, frameless doors, LED automatic headlights, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen paired with an 8.8-inch digital cluster, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and a 360-degree parking camera.
Performance and Engineering Heritage
Co-developed with Stellantis’ global chassis team and tuned specifically for European roads, the B05 features a rear-wheel-drive architecture with a 50:50 weight distribution, MacPherson front suspension, and a multi-link rear setup.
The vehicle measures 4,430 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and has a 2,735 mm wheelbase with a drag coefficient of 0.26. Both battery options utilize Leapmotor’s Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) architecture, integrating the battery directly into the vehicle’s structural framework. Practicality features include a 345-litre boot that expands to 1,400 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Market Expansion and Future Roadmap
The B05 marks Leapmotor’s fourth vehicle launch in Ireland since the brand’s market introduction in October 2025, following the T03 city car, the B10 compact SUV, and the C10 large family SUV. The rollout coincides with the expansion of Leapmotor’s retail footprint to ten franchise dealers across eight counties, bolstered by the recent appointment of Lynn Motors in Dundalk, County Louth.
Leapmotor Ireland plans to introduce two additional vehicles within eighteen months of its initial brand debut. The B03X compact SUV is scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by the B03 hatchback in the first quarter of 2027, bringing the brand’s total Irish lineup to six models supported by Gowan Auto’s parts and aftersales network and a standard six-year warranty.
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