Latest news with #LeapmotorT03
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
New cheapest EV in Britain revealed as Tesla rival knocks £1,500 off price of compact city car
A NEW Chinese electric vehicle has grabbed the crown as Britain's cheapest EV – knocking its rival off the top spot with a surprise price cut. 5 The Leapmotor T03 city car is now on sale for just £14,495 5 That makes it £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring Credit: Newspress That makes it £500 cheaper than the The price drop applies immediately across the UK as Leapmotor looks to get ahead of the The firm, which now sells its models through Vauxhall and Peugeot showrooms as part of a deal with European giant Stellantis, says it is offering customers an instant saving while the official subsidy remains weeks away. Based in China, Leapmotor is also cutting the cost of its larger C10 SUV by £3,750. Read more on Motors The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold. Both cars qualify for 0 per cent finance deals and come with long warranties — four years on the car and eight years on the battery. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the Government's new scheme on Monday. The Electric Car Grant will offer between £1,500 and £3,750 off qualifying electric vehicles, depending on how sustainably they are made. Most read in Motors However, it's not available yet, as carmakers must apply for approval — a process that could take weeks. That's left firms like Leapmotor in limbo. The brand says its 'Leap-Grant' is a proactive move to give drivers savings now, before the Government scheme kicks in. Managing director Damien Dally said the company wants to give drivers clarity, confidence and immediate savings. But questions hang over whether Leapmotor — and other Chinese EV makers — will qualify at all. To get the full Government grant, manufacturers must meet green targets under the Science-Based Targets initiative, a framework that rates the environmental impact of vehicle production, including energy use at factories. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has warned that vehicles made in China may not be eligible. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, she said factories powered by coal are unlikely to meet the Government's strict criteria. She added that only brands reaching minimum environmental standards will be approved for taxpayer support. This has sparked tension with the Chinese government. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in London said the UK must follow World Trade Organisation rules and avoid discriminatory policies. They warned they are monitoring the situation closely and would defend the rights of Chinese companies. 'It swallows up the potholes and the bumps' cries car dealership owner over popular motor brand ideal for the countryside Even There's also doubt over the Dacia Spring's eligibility. Although Dacia is a Renault-owned brand, the Spring is built in Wuhan, China, at a joint venture facility shared with Dongfeng Motor Group. Seven low-cost electric cars expected to benefit from the grant — including the Dacia Spring, MG4, Peugeot e-208, But with the Government now focusing on sustainability standards, many of those could also miss out on the full grant unless their makers can prove they meet the green benchmarks. Tax payers are, however, footing the bill for the £650million subsidy scheme, including for EVs leased through Motability, prompting criticism from some quarters. Commentators have questioned whether public funds should be used to make new cars cheaper for wealthier drivers at a time when many families are struggling to afford food. The Government is also promising £63million to improve the UK's public charging infrastructure and £25million to help people without off-street parking charge their EVs at home. But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost. For now, Leapmotor is pressing ahead with its own incentive. The T03 is being offered on a four-year personal contract purchase plan at just £169 per month with a £169 deposit. The larger C10 SUV comes in at £319 per month, also with a matching deposit and 0 per cent APR. Both offers run until 30 September. Whether the brand qualifies for official Government support or not, Leapmotor has made its move — and, for now at least, it means Britain's cheapest electric car is Chinese, costs just under £14.5k. 5 The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold Credit: Leapmotor 5 But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost Credit: Leapmotor 5 Seven low-cost electric cars expected to benefit from the grant Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
New cheapest EV in Britain revealed as Tesla rival knocks £1,500 off price of compact city car
But not everyone's happy about it DRIVE DOWN COSTS New cheapest EV in Britain revealed as Tesla rival knocks £1,500 off price of compact city car A NEW Chinese electric vehicle has grabbed the crown as Britain's cheapest EV – knocking its rival off the top spot with a surprise price cut. The Leapmotor T03 city car is now on sale for just £14,495 after the manufacturer slashed £1,500 from the original list price. 5 The Leapmotor T03 city car is now on sale for just £14,495 5 That makes it £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring Credit: Newspress That makes it £500 cheaper than the Dacia Spring, which had held the budget EV title for the past year at £14,995. The price drop applies immediately across the UK as Leapmotor looks to get ahead of the Government's new Electric Car Grant, which is set to come into force next month. The firm, which now sells its models through Vauxhall and Peugeot showrooms as part of a deal with European giant Stellantis, says it is offering customers an instant saving while the official subsidy remains weeks away. Based in China, Leapmotor is also cutting the cost of its larger C10 SUV by £3,750. The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold. Both cars qualify for 0 per cent finance deals and come with long warranties — four years on the car and eight years on the battery. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the Government's new scheme on Monday. The Electric Car Grant will offer between £1,500 and £3,750 off qualifying electric vehicles, depending on how sustainably they are made. However, it's not available yet, as carmakers must apply for approval — a process that could take weeks. That's left firms like Leapmotor in limbo. The brand says its 'Leap-Grant' is a proactive move to give drivers savings now, before the Government scheme kicks in. Managing director Damien Dally said the company wants to give drivers clarity, confidence and immediate savings. But questions hang over whether Leapmotor — and other Chinese EV makers — will qualify at all. To get the full Government grant, manufacturers must meet green targets under the Science-Based Targets initiative, a framework that rates the environmental impact of vehicle production, including energy use at factories. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood has warned that vehicles made in China may not be eligible. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, she said factories powered by coal are unlikely to meet the Government's strict criteria. She added that only brands reaching minimum environmental standards will be approved for taxpayer support. This has sparked tension with the Chinese government. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in London said the UK must follow World Trade Organisation rules and avoid discriminatory policies. They warned they are monitoring the situation closely and would defend the rights of Chinese companies. 'It swallows up the potholes and the bumps' cries car dealership owner over popular motor brand ideal for the countryside Even BYD — China's biggest EV manufacturer — has confirmed it is applying for the grant but, like Leapmotor, has yet to hear back. There's also doubt over the Dacia Spring's eligibility. Although Dacia is a Renault-owned brand, the Spring is built in Wuhan, China, at a joint venture facility shared with Dongfeng Motor Group. Seven low-cost electric cars expected to benefit from the grant — including the Dacia Spring, MG4, Peugeot e-208, Fiat 500e and Volkswagen ID.3 — though most will only get the lower £1,500 discount unless they can prove greener production credentials. But with the Government now focusing on sustainability standards, many of those could also miss out on the full grant unless their makers can prove they meet the green benchmarks. Tax payers are, however, footing the bill for the £650million subsidy scheme, including for EVs leased through Motability, prompting criticism from some quarters. Commentators have questioned whether public funds should be used to make new cars cheaper for wealthier drivers at a time when many families are struggling to afford food. The Government is also promising £63million to improve the UK's public charging infrastructure and £25million to help people without off-street parking charge their EVs at home. But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost. For now, Leapmotor is pressing ahead with its own incentive. The T03 is being offered on a four-year personal contract purchase plan at just £169 per month with a £169 deposit. The larger C10 SUV comes in at £319 per month, also with a matching deposit and 0 per cent APR. Both offers run until 30 September. Whether the brand qualifies for official Government support or not, Leapmotor has made its move — and, for now at least, it means Britain's cheapest electric car is Chinese, costs just under £14.5k. 5 The new price tag of £32,750 puts it well under the Government's £37,000 grant threshold Credit: Leapmotor 5 But even Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander admitted she doesn't currently drive an electric vehicle herself, citing the cost Credit: Leapmotor
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
BYD Dolphin Surf is a small, simple £18k motor packed with things that please… it knocks its rivals out the park
BYD Dolphin Surf knocks a Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 out of the park because it's a proper car for not much more SURF'S PERF BYD Dolphin Surf is a small, simple £18k motor packed with things that please… it knocks its rivals out the park Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I'M a big fan of small and simple cars because I like value for money more than I do screens and gadgets. This BYD Dolphin Surf is small and simple. 4 This BYD Dolphin Surf is small and simple 4 The Dolphin Surf has four seats, three with ISOFIX anchor points and a surprisingly practical boot Just press and go. It's value for money at £18,650. And yet it's got a rotating touchscreen and all those gadgets thrown in anyway. Where's the catch? I can't see one. It knocks a Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 out of the park because it's a proper car for not much more and it's comfortably less than the already brilliant-value Renault 5. Finance from £269 a month with £269 deposit. Or £199 a month with about £3k deposit. It'll cost pennies to run. I reckon many will be bought as second cars but end up being the one owners use the most. Dolphin Surf has four seats, three with ISOFIX anchor points for the kiddlywinks, and a surprisingly practical boot that'll swallow the Friday big shop. Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky 'bug eye' headlights Properly comfy seats by the way. Made of 'vegan leather' whatever that means. Big drink holders. Phone storage tray. Apple CarPlay. Reversing camera. Adaptive cruise control for your out-of-town runs. All things that please and all included in the price. You can even use your little BYD bud as a mobile power bank – running everything from party lights to a fridge. Now I should spell out that Dolphin Surf comes in two battery sizes. The entry-level Active gets you a 137-mile battery by the WLTP test and a big enough e-motor to keep you swimming in quick traffic. Then there's the £22k Boost nudging 200 miles from the 43kWh battery. 'BRIM THE BATTERY' Both use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry for higher levels of durability and safety. So you can 'brim' the battery every time without depleting it. Both roll on Hankook tyres. Another positive. Even the lime green paint job is free. How safe is it? It's engineered to attain a four-star safety rating. The body uses 68 per cent high-strength steel and the car is brimming with anti-crash gear. The car will be made in Hungary soon – and avoid tariffs. I told you BYD would quickly chime with UK drivers and the Chinese are already outselling Honda, Citroen, Fiat and more. There are a load of plug-in hybrids coming next, including a junior SUV and a pick-up truck called Shark. Key facts: BYD DOLPHIN SURF Price: £18,650 Battery: 30kWh Power: 87hp 0-62mph: 11.1 secs Top speed: 93mph Range: 137 miles CO2: 0g/km Out: Now 4 The Dolphin Surf boasts a rotating touchscreen 4 There's also a phone storage tray, Apple CarPlay and a reversing camera Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Stuff.tv
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
The Mazda CX-80 is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever reviewed
Stuff Verdict If space is a top priority the Mazda CX-80 is one to watch. Comfort levels are glorious, but there are rivals who pip it to the post in the six- and seven-seater stakes Pros Oodles of room front and back Posh equipment levels and very practical too Relative rarity will probably work in its favour Cons PHEV isn't as refined as the diesel Battery-only range is good but not great A hefty thing to manage in small spaces Introduction After a week spent behind the wheel of the teensy-weensy Leapmotor T03 city car, I've just followed it with seven days in this. The Mazda CX-80 sits at the complete opposite end of the space spectrum, with room for up to seven people to enjoy high levels of comfort. It comes as a plug-in too, so could prove a better option for anyone with a growing family and multiple school run stops than the diesel edition. Mazda's flagship SUV is certainly a beefy proposition. The downside is its bulk, which needs to be carefully managed in less spacious surroundings like multi-storey car parks and tight country lanes. The good news is that driving one is much easier than expected, helped along with sumptuous levels of comfort no matter which row you're in. The 2.5-litre, 323bhp, all-wheel-drive CX-80 I've been testing is a top-of-the-range treat in Homura Plus trim, featuring Mazda's Captain Console 6-seat layout. Need more space? Mazda also offers this sizable SUV with a seven-seat layout, which puts it in the same niche bracket as the Hyundai Santa Fe or Mercedes GLB. Those with less to spend will get the same kind of space with either the very good Peugeot 5008 or excellent Skoda Kodiaq though. How we test cars Every electric car reviewed on Stuff is tested on a range of road surfaces and, where possible, in varying weather conditions. We use our years of experience to compare with rivals and assess ergonomics, technology features and general usability. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The styling The Mazda CX-80 is a smidge under 5 metres long, over 1.7 metres high and has a width of nearly two metres. That sounds colossal when you see it written down, although it doesn't feel that bulky to drive. The styling is typically Mazda, with an agreeable front end that looks the part even if it's not especially interesting. The slab-sides and back-end are similarly dependable, with the odd fleck of chrome trim lifting the look slightly. Out back, the neat twists and turns that make up the tailgate section make this angle the most interesting of the CX-80, I think. Thankfully, high profile tyres helped remove a little of the bulky appearance of my test car and made it less worrying to park near rim-crunching kerbs. The Homura Plus trim level of my test car meant it came fully loaded with lots to make longer journeys effortless and super-comfortable. Lashings of Napa leather, a panoramic sunroof and some cool ambient lighting added to the overall premium feel, as did the gloss black 20in rims on the exterior, which contrasted well with the Rhodium White paintwork. There really is stacks of room inside this SUV too, with its height and panoramic roof offering a cavernous experience even if you're sat in the second row. Seven seat versions are slightly less generous, but the Mazda CX-80 is certainly not miserly with the space quotas in either model variant. The drive I wish I felt a little more enthusiastic about choosing the PHEV version of the Mazda CX-80 over the diesel. However, it isn't a huge amount of fun to pilot. Sure, once it gets going, the SUV trundles along very nicely – but attempting any kind of acceleration over and above the norm is met with lots of frantic revving and a slow uptake in speed. On the other hand, driving the CX-80 using its small battery power is very enjoyable, although range is limited to about 30 miles or so in real world scenarios. There's no disputing the commanding position delivered from behind the wheel though. Views towards the front are impressive, helped with big door mirrors but things are less great looking towards the back. The rearward glass is quite enclosed and not helped by the headrests that pepper the interior. As a result, those mirrors and a reversing camera are essential items for backing in to less generous parking spaces. The quality of the ride is compensated for by the quality interior provided by this car. If it wasn't for those forgiving seats, the Mazda CX-80 would feel quite rough and ready when being bashed by the worst bit of British roads. The thick tyre walls offered some respite from this battering, but overall, the Mazda CX-80 seemed to struggle a bit with our rough and tumble surfaces. However, when it was being nursed around urban streets using EV-only power, the SUV felt much better than when it was fighting that horrible concrete section of the M25. Again, that's good news for the school run crew. The technology The CX-80 strikes a sensible compromise between buttons and screen activity, with one landscape-orientated, 12.3in infotainment area in the middle of the dash. Down below are lots of actual buttons, for climate controls and the like, which is appreciated. I quite liked the mix between traditional and modern. Mazda have got it about right in that respect with a delicious driver display supplemented by a cool head-up offering in my car. Mazda likes to do its own thing when it comes to in-car tech and, a bit like Lexus, the experience looks premium on paper and expectation levels are high. It's not always such a great user experience though. I felt this about the voice control system, which seemed unable to help me get to London Heathrow airport after an unexpected detour due to a road closure. I gave up in the end after trying just 'London' with no luck. Disappointing. Once I'd got my head around the way the system works it wasn't bad; the fonts and overall layout are okay. A big round dial on the centre console let me scroll through and select lots of options in transit and, for the most part, this worked quite well. However, much as I like my Japanese cars, I do think infotainment systems on a lot of them do leave a little bit to be desired. I'm adding the Mazda CX-80 to that list. The adaptive LED headlights on my trim level were impressive, mind, and Mazda has added in a duo of three-pin plug sockets to the CX-80 so laptops and the like can be plugged in for convenience. Elsewhere, my car had wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, lots of Google interactivity and integration with Amazon Alexa if that's your bag. A quick nod of approval to the Bose audio system too, which worked a treat in the cathedral-like confines. Mazda CX-80 verdict I drove a top-of-the-range CX-80, which meant that its price tag was in the region of £55,000. However, lower levels variants are in the £40k ballpark, which is a little more bearable. The upside of spending the extra cash is the premium feel of the interior. That might seem like money well spent but if, as I suspect, the Mazda CX-80 will likely end up ferrying kids around, a cheaper trim level might be a more practical option. Either way, this car feels a lot less bulky to drive than it actually is, but if you're intimidated by the tight parking scenarios found during school run time, it might just be a little too bulky for comfort. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 If space is a top priority the Mazda CX-80 is one to watch. Comfort levels are glorious, but there are rivals who pip it to the post in the six- and seven-seater stakes Pros Oodles of room front and back Posh equipment levels and very practical too Relative rarity will probably work in its favour Cons PHEV isn't as refined as the diesel Battery-only range is good but not great A hefty thing to manage in small spaces Mazda CX-80 technical specifications Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol motor, plus permanent magnet synchronous motor Battery 17.8kWh Power 323bhp Torque 406lb-ft 0-62mph 8.4sec Top speed 122mph Range 38 miles (EV only) Charge rate 7.2kW Cargo volume 566 litres
Stuff.tv
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
The pint-sized Leapmotor T03 was such an easy EV to review because it's so brilliantly simple
Stuff Verdict Car snobs might tut, but the Leapmotor T03 is a great value city car with perky performance, manoeuvrability and surprisingly high levels of refinement for very little outlay. Pros Affordable to buy and cheap to run Impressive levels of equipment as standard Easy to drive and even easier to park Cons Small battery and performance struggle on longer runs Touchscreen tech awkward to use on the go Bootspace is a little on the limited side Introduction Simplicity. That sums up the cute little Leapmotor T03 city car in one word. And, when it comes to EVs, being able to get in, press the accelerator and just go is one of the best things about them. The Leapmotor T03 is just such a car, with very little to figure out or set up and not an awful lot to explore either inside or out. The no-fuss small car is one of several new vehicles from Leapmotor, which is a Chinese brand that falls under the giant Stellantis umbrella. Keeping the simplistic vibe going is the price, with the Leapmotor T03 starting at around £16,000. That's not a lot and falls into the same marketplace as something like the Dacia Spring city EV. Initially, I thought the Spring was the better car, but by the end of a week spent behind the wheel of this I wasn't so sure anymore. This little car might be cheap, but it's also quite cheerful in a no-nonsense kinda way. One other simple touch is the way that there are no options when it comes to buying – there's just one model to choose from. The Leapmotor T03 comes as a standard issue, no-frills 36kWh model, which offers just 94bhp to play with. However, this little car comes complete with a decent standard trim level and packs in plenty of tech and convenience features. How we test cars Every electric car reviewed on Stuff is tested on a range of road surfaces and, where possible, in varying weather conditions. We use our years of experience to compare with rivals and assess ergonomics, technology features and general usability. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The styling Considering this is a £16K-ish car, the Leapmotor T03 comes very nicely appointed. The finish and trim specification makes it seem like rather good value. The design lines aren't going to win it any awards, but the styling is focused firmly on practicality. There are some embellishments that take things up a notch, like the 15in alloys and panoramic sunroof impressing me with their quality look and feel. My test car arrived in a fairly innocuous colour, which didn't really do the little Leapmotor T03 any favours. To be fair, it is a slightly odd-looking thing, mainly from the front with those curiously shaped headlights framing a blanked out grille. Big door mirrors are a bonus though and these make parking a doddle, which is an obvious boon for a city car. I think I preferred the perky rear end, with a tailgate opening that's quite high off the ground. Meanwhile, the interior of the Leapmotor T03 is a very meat 'n' potatoes experience. Sure, it's quite comfortable – but there is, unsurprisingly, lots of scratchy plastic in evidence. Perfect for an around town, family car that is probably going to get lots of things spilt or smeared over the cockpit coverings. Everything feels quite robust though and I was really pleased with the view out thanks to lots of glass all the way around. A short, stubby bonnet makes it ideally suited for nervous drivers too. Space levels are not bad either, with the seats in the back being more than acceptable for a 3.5-metre or so car. The boot hiding behind that tailgate is a little on the tight side, which isn't helped due to the narrow bottom half of the design cramping its style somewhat. Fine for an average-sized weekly shop, however. The drive I quite liked the way I could jump into the Leapmotor T03 and do virtually nothing to any of the controls and just drive it. That, to me, is an ideal city car that requires minimal supervision and very little effort. Dig a little deeper and the T03 has quite a lot to offer; the catch is that most of the options are buried inside the small touchscreen on the dash. Drive is engaged using a column selector and the cabin itself is accommodating enough with decent seats and an upright driving position. Press the power button and the little T03 springs into action. It's immediately obvious that this car is perfect for tight around-town situations, with nimble steering and an excellent turning circle. Get up to speed on the open road though and it does struggle a little bit, especially in Standard mode. However, there are Comfort and Sport drive options too, with the latter adding a little friskiness into the mix. Of course, the downside to having any fun is the way the battery life ebbs away quite rapidly. This is a car with a small battery. Even charging it up to 99 percent, I couldn't get the dash to register anywhere near the supposed 165-mile top-end range. The good news, though, is the T03 can be charged really quickly, and I love the power port hidden in the grille of the car. I feared the worst for a 100-mile each way journey to the airport in the Leapmotor T03, but it worked a treat – albeit in a slightly sedate fashion. I stopped to charge twice on the way up, but that meant I was able to get back home again without stopping and still had 35 miles range left. Motorways are not its ideal habitat, but the Leapmotor got the job done without fuss. The technology Being a Chinese product, the emphasis is very much on touchscreen tech. However, it's necessary to dig through the various menu options, ideally before setting off, to get the best from what is on offer. I was quite surprised with just how many customisation options there were hiding inside the screens of this little car. Some are more obvious than others, while changing anything whilst in motion is not a great idea. It all works, but isn't especially intuitive with a patchy sat-nav system for good measure. There was a little bugginess in evidence and the visual experience isn't everything it could be, but doubtless Leapmotor engineers will read the reviews and quickly tweak the UX in due course. The 8in driver's display is cool, while the 10in screen on the dash is where the bulk of the options sit. It's alright to look at but the menu layouts were a little busy and hard to work through unless I parked up. For example, on the motorway I had to give up on the climate controls and just put up with a draft until the next services. Leapmotor T03 verdict One thing I did notice while driving the Leapmotor T03 was how much so many UK drivers liked to bully and push it around. I was cut up, tailgated and generally frowned upon by more than a few motorists. I can see why the Leapmotor T03 gets under people's skin as it looks slow and appears likely to be owned by a pensioner. A sweeping generalisation I know, but it certainly felt like that. So, a bit like the Honda Jazz, there seems to be a perception about this car and it's worth bearing that in mind. Try it though; it's fun and, like I say, simple. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 Car snobs might tut, but the Leapmotor T03 is a great value city car with perky performance, manoeuvrability and surprisingly high levels of refinement for very little outlay. Pros Affordable to buy and cheap to run Impressive levels of equipment as standard Easy to drive and even easier to park Cons Small battery and performance struggle on longer runs Touchscreen tech awkward to use on the go Bootspace is a little on the limited side Leapmotor T03 technical specifications Powertrain Permanent magnet synchronous motor Battery 37.3kWh Power 93bhp Torque 117lb-ft 0-62mph 12.7sec Top speed 80mph Range 165 miles Maximum charge rate 48kW Cargo volume 210 litres
