Stellantis has figured out a new way to squeeze value out of its Leapmotor partnership, and Opel is the brand getting the keys. The German automaker has confirmed plans for a new electric compact SUV built on underpinnings from the Chinese EV maker, validating reports that surfaced earlier this year.

The yet-unnamed crossover is targeted for a 2028 launch, with development running under two years from start to showroom. Styling work is being handled by Opel’s design team in Russelsheim and will lean on the brand’s current visual language. The first teaser shows a sporty SUV with large wheels, tight overhangs, and the now-familiar Opel Vizor face with integrated LED lighting.

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According to Opel CEO Florian Huettl, the new SUV will be “developed by international teams located in Germany and China”. It will use “core components of the latest Leapmotor electric architecture and battery technology”, with Opel’s input being limited to design, chassis engineering, lightning and seating technology.

Production of the upcoming EV will take place at the Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain, starting in 2028. The same facilities are the home of production for the Opel Corsa, Peugeot e-208, Lancia Ypsilon, and Leapmotor B10.

Another Opel SUV?

The new offering will expand Opel’s SUV lineup next to the Mokka, Frontera, and Grandland, targeting the highly competitive C-SUV segment in Europe.

While Stellantis didn’t get into details about its specifications, the new Opel will most likely be based on the Leapmotor B10. The electric SUV measures 4,515 mm (177.8 inches) long, slotting right in between the Frontera and the Grandland in terms of footprint.

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The Leapmotor B10 is fitted with a single electric motor producing 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and offers two battery sizes of 56.2 kWh and 67.1 kWh, offering a range of up to 434 km (270 miles). It will also be available with a range-extender powertrain offering a total range of up to 900 km (559 miles).

Leapmotor B10

Stellantis has stated that the Leapmotor B10 has been “rigorously tested” at the Balocco proving ground in Italy, meaning there could be differences to the setup of the EU-spec version compared to the model sold in China.

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More importantly, the Leapmotor B10 is priced from €29,900 ($35,100) in markets like Germany, France, and Spain, undercutting the rival Skoda Elroq by €4,000 ($4,700). While it is too early to talk about pricing for the Opel version, the company promises it will be an “accessible” electric vehicle, adding that the use of Leapmotor-sourced components would “significantly enhance affordability for European customers”.

The Ugly Truth

Stellantis has recently announced plans of cutting 650 engineering jobs at Opel’s historic headquarters in Russelsheim, reducing the remaining technical staff to around 1,000 people.

The site employed over 7,700 engineers back in 2017, undertaking important R&D projects for the PSA Group. Now, it has narrowed down its scope to areas like AI, software, ADAS, battery tech, and digital lighting systems. While unrelated, with the job cuts, the Leapmotor deal allows Stellantis to significantly reduce R&D expenses and the time needed to bring a new product to the market.

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Crucially, the upcoming electric SUV won’t be the only Leapmotor-based product from a Stellantis brand. According to the company “the new vehicle is intended to serve as a blueprint for efficient global collaboration” meaning it could pave the way for other similar projects in the future.

The Story Of The Joint Venture

Stellantis acquired a 21% stake in Leapmotor in October 2023, becoming the largest shareholder of the Chinese brand. The LPMI (Leapmotor International) joint venture is 51% owned by Stellantis, which has the exclusive rights of selling and producing Leapmotor products outside China.

The European rollout has been quite successful, with Leapmotor delivering 40,000 units in 2025 and kicking off 2026 with a first quarter of 24,751 registrations. Besides the Old Continent, the LPMI joint venture has expanded its activities to South America, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

Leapmotor, the Chinese EV brand that operates in Europe through its Leapmotor International joint venture with Stellantis, has just rolled out the affordable B05 hatchback, and the lineup is about to expand again. Next on the agenda is the B03X, an even more budget-friendly subcompact SUV set to land in European showrooms in autumn 2026.

The B03X’s biggest selling point will almost certainly be its sticker. According to German newspaper Handelsblatt, the EV will open at around €25,000 ($29,400), which would put it well below most European-branded rivals that tend to land closer to the €30,000 ($35,300) mark.

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To put that in perspective, the new VW ID. Polo subcompact hatchback starts at €24,995 ($29,400), while the high-riding ID. Cross is expected to open from over €28,000 ($32,900). Other rivals in the crosshairs include the Skoda Epiq, the Renault 4 E-Tech, and Stellantis’ own twins, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera Electric.

The Leapmotor B03X was first unveiled in November 2025 and is already on sale in China under the A10 name. In its home market the EV is an even wilder bargain, with prices running between ¥65,800 and ¥86,800 ($9,600 to $12,700).

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Chinese buyers get a choice of two battery packs at 40 kWh and 53 kWh, paired with power outputs of 94 hp (70 kW) or 121 hp (90 kW). Every version is front-wheel drive, which lines up with most other electric SUVs in this size class.

The numbers read well on paper. CLTC range tops out at 505 km (314 miles), though the WLTP figure that Europe cares about will land lower. Leapmotor also claims the battery can recover from 30 to 80 percent in 16 minutes.

On the outside, the 4,270 mm (168.1 inch) long SUV plays it safe with soft curves and styling that won’t turn any heads. The cabin is where it gets more interesting. Leapmotor is promising space and practicality, with rear seats that flip up Honda Jazz style and a 602-liter (21.3 cubic foot) boot that hides a washable underfloor compartment, much like the Ford Puma.

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There is also a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and a 14.6-inch infotainment display powered by the high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset. In China, high-spec trims of the SUV come equipped with a LiDAR-based ADAS suite, although we don’t know if those will make it to Europe.

Made In Spain

While the A10 rolls off the line at Leapmotor’s Hangzhou plant in China, the B03X will be built in Spain alongside the European-market B05 hatchback and B10 SUV. Local production sidesteps the EU’s tariffs on Chinese imports, which keeps the sticker low and turns the little crossover into a headache for Western automakers who thought tariffs would buy them more time.

As European EV buyers grow more price-sensitive, new entrants are finding sharper ways to undercut established players without giving up headline specs. Stellantis is putting its strategic partnership with Leapmotor to work, launching the new B05 across Europe as a fully electric hatch aimed squarely at the freshly updated VW ID.3 Neo. A hotter Ultra variant will follow, with the next GTI in its sights.

Aggressive Pricing

The Leapmotor B05, known as the Lafa 5 in China, first appeared in Europe last September at the Munich Auto Show, then a static prototype. It is now on sale in European markets, priced in Italy from €26,900 ($31,500) to €30,900 ($36,200) before local incentives.

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This places the entry-level version €9,600 ($11,200) below the pre-facelifted VW ID.3 in Italy. The Leapmotor B05 also comes in €11,450 ($13,400) under the Renault Megane E-Tech and €13,080 ($15,400) less than Stellantis’ own Peugeot E-308 in the same market.

The EU-spec Leapmotor B05 is currently being assembled at Stellantis’ Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Producing the car locally allows the company to avoid steep EU tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, helping it land at a price point that undercuts even the now-discontinued MG4.

Competitive Specs

Measuring 4,430 mm (174.4-inch) long, the EV rides on Leapmotor’s “LEAP 3.0” architecture and uses Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology. This setup integrates the battery into the structure, improving rigidity. The company also claims a 50:50 weight distribution and notes that the suspension was co-tuned with Stellantis’ global engineering teams.

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European buyers can choose between two LFP battery packs: a 56.2 kWh Pro unit with a WLTP range of 401 km (249 miles), or a 67.1 kWh Pro Max pack offering up to 482 km (300 miles). DC fast charging peaks at 174 kW, allowing a 30-80% charge in as little as 17 minutes.

The Leapmotor B05 is fitted with a rear-mounted electric motor offering 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. For those seeking better performance, the upcoming B05 Ultra bumps the output figures to 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) and 255 Nm (188 lb-ft), combined with a lowered suspension, fatter anti-roll bars, beefier brakes, a more aggressive bodykit, and performance tires.

Generous Equipment

Despite its budget pricing, the Leapmotor B05 is packed with tech. The entry-level Life trim has a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including a 14.6-inch touchscreen, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, an AI-powered voice assistant with facial recognition, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic glass roof, and a full ADAS suite.

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The flagship Design trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels instead of 18-inch units, along with a heated steering wheel and heated, ventilated seats trimmed in eco-leather. It also brings 256-color ambient lighting that reacts to music, plus a more advanced ADAS package.

The B06 Ultra has not yet been detailed for Europe, though the Chinese version includes a front splitter, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser, along with unique 19-inch wheels. Inside, it adds sport seats with a massaging function, suede-style upholstery, and LiDAR-based driver assistance systems.

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In China, the Leapmotor Lafa 5 is even cheaper compared to its EU-spec B05 twin, currently priced between ¥90,800-114,800 ($13,300-16,800). The Lafa 5 Ultra sits at the top of the lineup, priced between 118,800-124,800 ($17,400-18,300). However, it is worth noting that the entry-level variants of the Chinese-spec model have lower output and a smaller battery pack.

Stellantis is broadening its lineup with a slightly left-field addition, rolling out a last-mile delivery vehicle for Europe through its Leapmotor joint venture, based on the tiny T03. Its compact footprint makes it well suited to the cramped streets of Europe’s city centers, backed by a zero-emission powertrain and pricing pitched to keep fleet buyers interested.

As with most LCV conversions of existing models, the T03 has been reworked into a two-seat van. The rear bench is gone, replaced by a 657 lt (23.2 cubic feet) cargo area. Access comes via the tailgate and rear doors, though the openings are predictably tight.

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Payload is less convincing. It is rated at just 220 kg (485 lbs), which limits what it can realistically carry. Then again, this is more about parcels and city drops than shifting bags of cement, so for its intended job, it may be enough.

Inside, it’s better equipped than you’d expect from something pitched at delivery duty. You get an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a full suite of ADAS features.

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On the outside, the five-door hatchback is unchanged from the standard Leapmotor T03, measuring 3,620 mm (142.5 inches) long. The LCV version sets itself apart with 15-inch steel wheels finished in black, while the color choices are limited to Caribbean Blue, Light White, and Canopy Grey.

Power comes from a single electric motor producing 95 hp (70 kW) and 158 Nm (116.5 lb-ft) of torque, identical to the passenger model. A 37.3 kWh battery delivers up to 256 km (159 miles) of WLTP range, with support for 45 kW DC fast charging.

According to Stellantis, “production finalization” for European markets will take place at the Mirafiori plant in Turin. In reality, that likely means the LCV conversion is handled there, as the Leapmotor T03 itself continues to be built in Jinhua, China, after plans for production at the Tychy plant in Poland were quietly dropped.

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Orders for the Leapmotor T03 LCV will open in select EU markets later this month, with the first deliveries expected to land this summer.

Pricing starts at €14,590 ($17,100) excluding VAT, putting it among the most affordable commercial vehicles on sale in Europe. Stellantis is not new to the small EV game either, already offering an LCV version of the even smaller Citroen Ami heavy quadricycle.