Leapmotor B05 Ultra: A Closer Look at the Electric Hot Hatch

The 2026 Beijing motor show saw the debut of a new contender in the electric performance market: the Leapmotor B05 Ultra. This model is a high-performance version of the standard B05 hatchback and aims to attract driving enthusiasts with significant upgrades to its power and handling.

What is the Leapmotor B05 Ultra?

The B05 Ultra is the factory-tuned, high-performance version of Leapmotor's B05 electric car, which is known as the Lafa 5 in its home market of China. It is designed to offer a sportier driving experience with increased power and improved handling, positioning it as a potential electric alternative to established performance hatchbacks.

What are its key performance figures?

The vehicle is equipped with a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels, producing 241 horsepower. This represents a notable increase from the standard model's 215 horsepower. This power allows the B05 Ultra to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in a reported 5.9 seconds, placing it in the performance category of traditional gasoline-powered hot hatches.

How has the handling been enhanced?

Leapmotor has made several mechanical adjustments to improve the car's agility. The ride height has been lowered to 1510mm, and the total weight is reduced to 1665 kilograms. The company states the car has a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, which is considered ideal for balanced and predictable handling. The car also features specific exterior parts like a front splitter and rear wing to manage airflow at speed, along with 19-inch wheels fitted with performance tires.

What are the battery and range details?

Two battery options will be offered for the B05 Ultra. The first is a 56.2kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a claimed range of 312 miles. The second is a larger 67.1kWh battery with a stated range of 373 miles. It is important to note that these range figures are based on the Chinese CLTC test cycle. This standard is often more optimistic than the WLTP cycle used in Europe, so real-world range would likely be lower.

Is the B05 Ultra coming to the UK?

While the standard Leapmotor B05 hatchback is scheduled for release in the UK and other European markets, there has been no official confirmation on whether the high-performance Ultra variant will be sold outside of China. In its home market, the Ultra is priced from approximately £15,000, offering a significant performance upgrade over the base model which starts around £10,600.