From EV Review Ireland.
Could this be the electric hatchback bargain Ireland has been waiting for? Having previously tested it at the international launch in Germany, Derek Reilly gets behind the wheel of the right-hand drive Leapmotor B05 on Irish roads for Nevo EV Review!
In this in-depth first Irish drive, we take a full walkaround of this 4.43-meter, rear-wheel drive electric hatchback. We examine its 50:50 weight distribution, multilink rear suspension, check out the 345L boot and generous rear passenger space (tested with a 6’2 driver setup), and explore the massive tech jump inside—including the 14.4-inch central display, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and independent audio channel adjustments. Finally, we take it onto the M50 motorway to test real-world cabin insulation, motor responsiveness (218 PS / 240 Nm), and summer energy efficiency figures.
Video Chapters
[00:00] Intro: Leapmotor B05 Right-Hand Drive in Ireland
[00:24] Exterior Styling & Colourways: Gloss Black Accents & Checkered Flag Headlights
[01:21] Wheels & Sensors: 19-inch Hankook Tyres, 360° Cameras & Frameless Doors
[02:28] Dimensions & Architecture: 4.43m Length, 2.735m Wheelbase & 50:50 Weight Balance
[02:54] Charging Capabilities: 11 kW AC & 170 kW DC (10–80% in 24 Mins)
[03:06] Boot Practicality: 345L Cargo Capacity & 60/40 Split Folding
[03:45] Rear Passenger Accommodation: 6’2 Adult Legroom, Headroom & Panoramic Sunroof
[05:10] Front Cockpit Tour: 14.4-inch Screen, 8.8-inch Cluster & Keyless Start
[05:42] Software Evolution: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto & Screen Splitting
[06:25] Ergonomics: Tactile Wheel Buttons, Ventilated Phone Charger & Storage
[07:01] Chassis & Aerodynamics: MacPherson / Multilink Suspension & 0.26 Cd
[07:22] Trims & Battery Options: Pro (56.2 kWh / 401 km) vs. Pro Max (67.1 kWh / 482 km)
[08:12] Motor Output & Pricing: 160 kW (218 PS) Starting from ~€28,000
[08:24] Nevo EV Show 2026 Announcement: RDS Simmonscourt (Nov 7–8)
[08:48] Driving Dynamics: Multilink Ride Quality, Rear Visibility & Blind Spot Monitoring
[11:07] Leapmotor Lineup Context: B05 Hatch vs. B10 SUV Positioning
[12:30] Nifty Tech Feature: Granular Audio & Navigation Volume Sliders
[13:35] Real-World Efficiency: 13.6 to 15.7 kWh/100km Consumption on Irish Roads
[14:45] M50 Motorway Speed Run: 100 km/h Cabin Refinement & Noise Isolation
[15:15] Final Verdict & Outro
Top Features of the Leapmotor B05
Rear-Wheel Drive & 50:50 Balance: Built on a dedicated EV platform featuring a 160 kW (218 PS / 240 Nm) rear-mounted motor paired with MacPherson front struts and multilink rear suspension [07:05, 08:12], delivering balanced, mature road handling and eliminating front-wheel slip.
Aggressive Irish Value Starting around €28,000: Offers two battery trims—the Pro with a 56.2 kWh pack offering 401 km WLTP, and the Pro Max with a 67.1 kWh pack offering up to 482 km range [07:31, 07:44], positioning it as a direct budget challenger to the VW ID.3 and MG4.
High-Speed 170 kW DC Fast Charging: Supports fast DC top-ups capable of charging from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes at rates up to ~170 kW [02:58], complemented by standard 11 kW AC onboard charging for destination top-ups.
Premium Cabin Tech & Wireless Phone Mirroring: Integrates a crisp 8.8-inch driver cluster with an ultra-responsive 14.4-inch central touchscreen [05:42], introducing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto [13:10] and split-screen multitasking.
Smart Granular Volume Controls: Features dedicated independent volume calibration sliders [12:35] for media, navigation prompts, Bluetooth calls, ringtones, and voice assistance—stopping navigation audio from overpowering streaming music.
Generous 2.735m Long-Wheelbase Rear Space: Shares the expansive 2.735-meter wheelbase with the B10 SUV [02:45], providing ample adult knee room, a flat rear floor, and a full panoramic glass roof with an electric interior sunblind [04:14].
Aero-Efficient Bodywork (0.26 Cd): Features aerodynamic flush door handles, frameless window glass, and sleek airflow ducts achieving a drag coefficient of 0.26 Cd [03:45, 07:18], backed by 19-inch Hankook tyres [01:26] and 21 Level 2 ADAS driver-assist safety functions [07:23].
Impressive Real-World Efficiency: Demonstrated strong efficiency figures between 13.6 and 15.7 kWh/100km during mixed Irish suburban and motorways runs in 20°C weather [14:00, 14:25].
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Nevo’s Website – https://www.nevo.ie/
Nevo’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/nevoireland
Nevo’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/nevoireland/
Nevo’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/nevo-co
Derek’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/reilly.derek
Derek’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekreilly/
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