Less than a month after entering the ASEAN market in Thailand, the Leapmotor B10 was sighted in Malaysia, hinting at an imminent local launch. The only image, posted on the Malaysian Electric Vehicle Owners Club (myEVOC) Facebook page. by Sobri Sunan shows the C-segment electric SUV with light camouflage on the front and rear, leaving little doubt about its identity.
The B10, in case you don’t know, is the third global model from the Chinese Stellantis-affiliated automaker, after the C10 and T03 (the latter being a city car not offered in Malaysia). Measuring 4,515 mm long, 1,885 mm wide and 1,655 mm high – with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm – the car competes with other C-segment electric SUVs such as the BYD Atto 3 and Proton eMas 7.
Power comes from a single front-mounted engine producing 218 hp (160 kW) and 240 Nm of torque, allowing the B10 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in eight seconds on its way to a top speed of 170 km/h. Two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are available: the base 56.2 kWh unit delivers a range of 361 km on the WLTP cycle, while the larger 67.1 kWh pack boosts this figure to 434 km.
The B10 supports up to 140 kW DC fast charging on the standard model and 168 kW with the long-range battery; both take 20 minutes to charge from 30 to 80%. They also accept up to 11 kW AC charging, with a full charge taking six hours, 45 minutes and eight hours respectively. A 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) function is standard.
Looking for all intents and purposes like a shortened C10, the B10 carries all the design cues of its sibling, including a transparent plastic front fascia, organic surfaces, recessed fold-out door handles and full-width taillights that give the car a hint of a mini-Porsche Cayenne. Unlike the C10, however, the B10 has split headlights – complete with ‘checkered flag’ daytime running lights – and a blacked-out front bumper. The wheels are just 18 inches in diameter, which is a bit small by class standards.
The B10 is slightly more elegant on the inside than the C10, thanks to the silver trim on the two-spoke steering wheel and the rectangular air vents. Other unique touches include the perforated beams in front of the front passenger and the funky square fold-down cupholders under the floating center console. In China the car is available with a folding passenger table, but unfortunately it seems to have survived the journey to international markets.
Instead, the car comes standard with an 8.8-inch digital instrument display that moves with the steering column, plus a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen; Unlike the C10, the B10 is offered with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, albeit only as a software update in January.
While the B10 ostensibly competes with the Atto 3 and eMas 7, its positioning in the Malaysian market will be complicated by the C10’s recent price drop – at RM125,000, the D-segment model is within a few thousand ringgit of both cars.
That would leave the B10 very little wiggle room against the minimum price of RM100,000 for CBU EVs, although the impending end of tax breaks for fully imported models will undoubtedly trigger a massive price revision. Leapmotor might be better off delaying the introduction of the B10 until Stellantis’ factory in Gurun, Kedah starts local assembly next year, which could bring prices down below RM100k.
GALLERY: Leapmotor B10 at Auto Shanghai 2025
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