- Stellantis took stake in Leapmotor recently and will get this brand to India
- The most affordable Leapmotor offering is the T03 electric hatchback
- Sold in various global markets, offers two battery options
While the electric mobility space is on fire in the Indian market, 'affordable' options have been far and few. The MG Comet, with its revised pricing is attractive but with a 2-door set-up, it does not meet everyone's requirements. Tata too dropped Tiago EV's prices but this segment needs to have more competition. This is where the Stellantis Group, who sell Citroen and Jeep in India, could get the Leapmotor T03 electric hatchback.
Leapmotor might be a new name for us here in India but, the brand is selling in various international markets. In China alone, they are in the top 5 car makers in terms of volumes. For the uninitiated, for the past few days, lot of business websites have hinted on the strong possibility of Stellantis eying a share of the EV market with the Leapmotor brand. So what is the T03 all about? Lets take a quick look at this mini urban vehicle. But before we move further, don't forget to join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group for all the latest automotive content updates.
Leapmotor T03 Design
In terms of dimensions, the T03 sits between the MG Comet and the Tata Tiago EV. It looks like a regular hatchback without any hits of an EV architecture. That said, design is straight from the 90s but with some striking elements like round DRLs, a shut grille, sporty bumper, black finish for the alloy wheels and horizontal LED strips inside the tail lights.
ALSO READ : MG Comet EV gets fast charging option!
Leapmotor T03 Battery & Range
Interestingly, the TO3 is offered with two battery packs internationally. The more affordable versions come with a 41 kWh LFP battery pack. This makes the battery far bigger than that of the Tata Tiago EV for example. The more expensive versions of the Leapmotor T03 come with a 38 kWh NCM battery pack. As per NEDC cycle, the T03 can run for over 400km on a single charge. However, in real world conditions, reviewers have quoted anywhere from 270 to 300km - this is more than what the Tata Tiago EV LR (long range) offers and could be a USP for this upcoming electric hatchback.
Leapmotor T03 Interiors
Unlike the MG Comet EV, this is a proper four-door, four-seater compact electric hatchback. Compared to the conventional design on the outside, the interiors of the Leapmotor T03 look modern and airy. The talking point here is the large sunroof on offer - unique for an affordable car and will surely be a hit with the Indian consumer.
The cabin is largely clutter free and there are ample practical touches including the right side stack doing duties as a gear level - similar to modern day Mercedes offerings. The rear bench is good for 2 adults and boot space stands at 210 litres - in between the MG Comet and the Tata Tiago EV.
Verdict
Given the demand for small urban cars and improving EV infrastructure, there is good scope for new models under the Rs 10 lakh bracket. The Leapmotor T03 might not be the most striking EV, but it ticks all the right boxes as a solution for urban mobility.
