Leapmotor's local distributor Auto Distributors New Zealand (ADNZ) has announced the imminent arrival of a smaller sibling for the C10 SUV, the B10.
The first vehicle to debut in Leapmotor's B series model range, and the first vehicle to use the company's new LEAP 3.5 platform, the B10 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October last year and is slated to arrive in New Zealand in the second half of 2025, joining the Leapmotor C10 fully-electric and range-extender variants already on sale here.

Leapmotor says the B10 is designed "to meet the expectations of today’s tech-savvy and eco-conscious consumers" and offers "advanced technology, intelligent features, and outstanding value for money."
While not revealing much in the way of the B10's local specifications, ADNZ said that the B10 features "the latest ADAS safety systems, a customisable digital cockpit, Apple CarPlay, and a refined, intelligent driving experience".

In the Chinese domestic market, where it went on sale in March, the B10 sells in three models; 510 Comfort, 510 Joy and 600 Joy. The entry level 510 Comfort is powered by a 56.2kWh LFP battery and single 132kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle, and is very much a base model, featuring 18-inch steel wheels, manual exterior mirrors and no side curtain airbags.
While the base model is unlikely to make it here, the upper-spec Joy model would seem to be the most likely contender for our market.
These are powered by a 67.1kWh LFP battery and a more powerful 160kW electric motor and feature 18-inch alloy wheels, power adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, two wireless phone charging pads, a 60W USB-C power outlet, a panoramic glass roof, a 12-speaker audio system, an 8.8-inch digital cluster and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor.

An interesting feature of the interior is the B10's lack of a glovebox, which has been replaced with a shelf in the dash and a series of mounting holes in its top and bottom panels used to attach accessories like a table/desk and mobile phone holders.
The Joy is also fitted with a LiDAR sensor, three mmWave radar sensors, two front-facing 8MP cameras and a separate Snapdragon Ride 8650 processor for "high-end ADAS functions" that the company says it expects to upgrade for "supervised autonomous driving" by the end of this year.
Leapmotor claims this makes the B10 the first EV in its price range to feature LiDAR for driver assist systems. The B10 510 Joy is priced from just NZ$29,900 in its home market, but New Zealand pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed, so we don't know if the LiDAR will make it here or not yet.

“We’re thrilled to confirm that the Leapmotor B10 will be introduced to the New Zealand market later this year,” said Simon Rutherford, CEO at Auto Distributors New Zealand.
"The B10 is perfectly aligned with what New Zealand drivers are increasingly looking for - electric, practical, high-tech vehicles with standout design and smart features, all at an accessible price point.”
In addition to the launch of a new model, Leapmotor is also expanding its retail network across New Zealand. A new dealership in Auckland's Botany suburb recently joined dealerships in Greenlane (Auckland), Christchurch, and Wellington, with ADNZ saying that more locations will follow "as the brand continues to grow".