At the IAA Mobility 2025 motor show in Munich, which starts in a few days, the Chinese company Leapmotor is making its big debut with a new electric hatchback. Backed by Stellantis, the new model, called the Lafa 5, has the ambitious goal of becoming a direct competitor to established European players such as the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born, Peugeot E-308 and Opel Astra Electric.
Design aimed at young people
The first teasers of the Lafa 5 reveal a dynamic and sporty silhouette designed to attract a younger audience. The design includes Leapmotor's distinctive LED daytime running lights with a checkerboard arrangement, as well as a relief hood. The rear is highlighted by connected LED lights across the entire width of the car, which repeat the same motif. The lidar sensor located on the roof is particularly impressive, which suggests the presence of high-tech driving assistants.
Technologies and features
Although the interior has not yet been shown, it is expected to be filled with modern technology. According to information from Chinese media, the Lafa 5 can be equipped with a large 14.6-inch high-resolution multimedia display and an 8.8-inch dashboard. The model will probably use the Leap 3.5 technological platform, which is already part of the Leapmotor B10 crossover.
This platform allows the installation of an electric motor with a power of up to 218 horsepower and a battery with a capacity of up to 67.1 kilowatt-hours. According to the manufacturer, this configuration provides a range of up to 600 kilometers on a single charge. An interesting detail is that the chassis of the B10 crossover was tuned by Maserati engineers, which can also be expected from the new hatchback, promising excellent road behavior.
With the Lafa 5, Leapmotor is making a serious claim for a place in the European market. The brand shows that it is ready to offer not only affordable, but also technologically advanced electric cars. Whether it will be able to attract customers from established European manufacturers remains to be seen.