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What’s it?
It’s a five-door metropolis automobile which prices the identical as a petrol-powered Kia Picanto and but is totally electrical and has a stage of ordinary tools that might make a far bigger supermini blush.
What’s new?
And that’s the USP right here. Whereas different UK-bound Chinese language electrical carmakers are scurrying to construct dealerships and a model picture to woo Brits to purchase their automobiles, Leapmotors (there’s additionally a second mannequin out there, a mid-sized elect SUV known as C10) will probably be bought in choose Stellantis dealerships. In different phrases, your native Vauxhall vendor could possibly be promoting Leapmotors – this can give prospects peace of thoughts, believes the agency.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Charging is a bit of on the sluggish facet as it may possibly solely take a 6.6kW cost from a house wallbox moderately than the same old 7.2kW, and the utmost DC charging fee is 45kW – which, once more, beats the Spring’s 30kW means. The charging flap can also be neatly situated behind the entrance ‘grille’, which is able to make it simpler to prime up in cities.
What’s it wish to drive?
The steering is greatest in ‘Sport’ mode as if left in both of the 2 lesser modes the response is simply too gentle, and be ready for the frankly terrible noise the automobile makes at speeds beneath 15mph – it seems like an air raid siren.
How does it look?
It has a faintly cutesy previous Sensible automobile vibe about it, however the need to squeeze 4 folks on board has given the T03 an oddly awkward look, significantly in facet profile. Design isn’t the secret right here although, with Leapmotor fairly rightly focussing on extra necessary issues comparable to worth for cash and electrical vary.
What’s it like inside?
The standard of the supplies actually belies the automobile’s worth, and it’s fairly roomy contemplating the automobile’s exterior dimensions. There’s loads of area up entrance, and even a few six-footers received’t really feel uncomfortable within the again – though the entrance seats’ high-backed design does make it really feel a bit of claustrophobic within the again. The one actual let-down is the boot – it has an ungainly opening, and its 210-litre capability is trumped fairly significantly by the Spring’s 308-litre boot.
What’s the spec like?
Having stated that, although, it’s moderately odd that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are left off the touchscreen’s checklist of options, and the dearth of an adjustable steering wheel and a rear wiper would grate after some time.
Verdict
The T03 can’t lay declare to being the UK’s most cost-effective electrical automobile because the Dacia Spring undercuts it by £1,000, however the little Leapmotor is much better worth for cash. Tools ranges are spectacular, as is the vary and passenger area – it even drives fairly effectively, too.
The elephant within the room, nevertheless, is that for comparable cash you possibly can have a used Vauxhall Corsa Electrical which feels way more grown up. However for individuals who would solely take into account a model new automobile and wish one thing environment friendly and effectively priced, the T03 is a powerful little automobile, plus it has the added peace of thoughts of being bought and sorted by your native Stellantis vendor.
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