Leapmotor has started pre-sales of its new Lafa 5 electric hatchback in China, marking its entry into the compact EV segment alongside rivals such as Volkswagen’s ID.3, SAIC’s MG4, BYD’s Dolphin, and Nio’s Firefly EV.
The Lafa 5 will be available in five pre-sale variants — the 515 Plus, 515 Pro, 515 Max, 605 Pro, and 605 Max — priced between RMB 105,800 ($14,858) and RMB 131,800. Leapmotor said the official launch is set for November 28, with final prices expected to be lower, potentially bringing the base model to around RMB 100,000. A higher-end Ultra variant is planned for release in 2026.
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The rear-wheel-drive Lafa 5 was tuned by Stellantis’ European engineering team to deliver a sportier driving experience. “We want the Lafa 5 to become the dream car for young people worldwide,” Leapmotor said in a statement. Built on the company’s LEAP 3.5 Architecture B platform, the model measures 4,430 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,520 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm — larger than Nio’s Firefly EV.
Equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, the Lafa 5 offers two capacity options — 56.2 kWh and 67.1 kWh — providing CLTC ranges of 515 km and 605 km respectively. Fast charging enables the vehicle to recharge from 30% to 80% in under 20 minutes. Power comes from a single electric motor setup, producing up to 160 kW and allowing acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds for higher-spec variants.
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The cabin features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155P or 8295P chips, while the Max versions include LiDAR sensors as part of the Leapmotor Pilot driver-assistance suite. Leapmotor also plans to showcase the A10, its first A-series model, at the upcoming Guangzhou Auto Show later this month.
