Leapmotor T03 and NETA V get faster versions
Today I bring good news my fellow readers! The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has just approved faster versions of the Leapmotor T03 and the NETA V to be produced and sold in China.
Previously, as it happens with most small electric cars in China, the Leapmotor T03 and the NETA V had their top speeds limited to 100 km/h (capped via firmware). Fortunately, recent MIIT homologation documents show us that these two popular electric cars will have new versions with their top speeds increased.
New top speeds
- Leapmotor T03: 120 km/h with 55 kW motor
- NETA V: 121 km/h with 70 kW motor
However, we still don’t know if these new upcoming versions with higher top speeds will also have longer ranges or not. Nonetheless, higher top speeds will further increase the demand for these already popular electric cars.
Below we have the current specs of both electric cars.
NETA V
2021 NETA V
This super efficient electric car looks like a mixture between the new Hyundai Kona Electric and the Nissan LEAF.
Long range entertainment version (best value for money version)
- Length: 4.070 mm
- Wheelbase: 2.420 mm
- Width: 1.690 mm
- Height: 1.540 mm
- Tire specifications: 185/65 R15
- Wheels: aluminium
- Number of seats: 5
- Motor: 55 kW and 175 N.m of torque
- Maximum speed: 100 km/h (firmware limited)
- DC fast charging: 30 minutes (30-80 %)
- On-board charging: 6-8 h (6,6 kW)
- Range: 401 km (NEDC) and around 300 km in WLTP
- Battery capacity: 38,54 kWh (LFP battery cells by CATL)
- Starting price (before subsidies): 80.900 yuan (10.426 euros)
- Starting price (after subsidies): 70.900 yuan (9.137 euros)
Leapmotor T03
Leapmotor T03
This impressive electric car looks like an improved version of a smart EQ forfour.
Prices after subsidies
- Standard Edition (LFP battery): 59.800 yuan (7.678 euros)
- Comfort Edition (NCM battery): 71.800 yuan (9.219 euros)
- Deluxe Edition (NCM battery): 75.800 yuan (9.732 euros)
Basic specs
- Seats: 4
- Length: 3.620 mm
- Wheelbase: 2.400 mm
- Width: 1.652 mm
- Height: 1.577 mm
- Luggage capacity: 210 L
- Vehicle warranty: 3 years or 120.000 kilometres
Powertrain
- Electric motor: 55 kW with a maximum torque of 155 N.m
- Maximum speed: 100 km/h (limited via firmware)
- Range (NEDC): 403 km (250 miles)
- Battery capacity: 41 kWh (LFP) and 38 kWh (NCM)
- Battery energy density: 135,6 Wh/kg (LFP) and 161 Wh/kg (NCM)
- Battery warranty: 8 years or 150.000 kilometres
- TMS: Intelligent liquid heat management system (heating + cooling)
- DC fast charging: 30-80 % in 36 minutes
- On-board charging: 30-80 % in 6 hour
- System efficiency: up to 92,3 %
Anyway, I already wrote articles praising both electric cars and think they could have success in most countries. In my opinion, the Leapmotor T03 and the NETA V are likely the electric cars that offer the best value for money today. While affordable, they still deliver decent range (around 300 km in WLTP) and great safety features that are rare in smaller electric cars. They both make the Dacia Spring look bad…
The recent top speed increase might suggest that these electric cars are getting ready to finally leave the comfort of their domestic market and head to more demanding markets, such as Europe, New Zealand or Australia. What do you think?
More info:
Thanks Pedro. We hope to get these start to get exported soon. Right Hand Drive Versions would be Awesome!
The NETA V is almost certain to come to Europe. Its official website already has an English version.
That NETA V looks really good. It would be a top seller in Europe for sure.
Hoping these come to Europe and show consumers what good value actually means. Will force international brands into serious action.
It’s not just send couple units… they must commite in coming to Europe… they must invest heavilly in salespoint, service network and export a large volume in order to dilute high homolgation costs… Bringing the car in small quantities at double the price being sold in China will make no sense (to me).
Couldn’t agree more Fred. Go big or go home.
I think it is safe to say that none of the Chinese companies coming to the EU want small volume…
They all want to go big time but due to finances… Production volume… Battery avalibility… Or other factors it may take them time…
Especially at the low end of the market where volume is a necessity they will want and need mass sales volume…
Indeed Max. Some people still don’t believe me when I say that European automakers are overpricing electric cars on purpose by making them cost twice as much as their gas counterparts, just to protect their old investments.
If Hozon puts a 300 W solar roof on the NETA V and sells this electric car for less than 20.000 euros worldwide before subsidies, it’ll still offer great value.
The solar roof and the overall great value, would be differentiating factors to get media buzz.
How Dacia priced the Spring in Germany is an insult to their customers. They even take 1000Euros from the 3k subsidies by the state on top. The Neta has approx. the same size as my old Sandero, so it would be sufficient for me.
The solar roof is just a gimmick imho. Having a solar system on the house beats having it on the car any day.
https://pushevs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/06/Solar-panels-on-houses-or-on-electric-cars.gif
Others have tried the solar roof gimmick before. It didn’t generate either buzz or sales.
Not quite
I feel the styling is still “cheapo/China/Knockoff” …if SAIC (MG) get the spec/styling right with the next MG3 then we see something
An EV version of something like this:-
The Austin Metro Story – YouTube
basic 3 door box, very basic design, drum brakes, simply suspension small wheels/tyres
TopGear 1993 Renault Twingo Test Drive – YouTube
The Original 93 Twingo was one of the most versatile cars I know….
I remember going to the stand in 1994 (I was 15) and just be amazed…. the interior front space was HUGE, the design was quirky (but i liked it), the rear could be adjusted (removing or adding space to the booth), and it was smaller (although looked much bigger) than a Daewoo Matiz… it was sold with optional canvas roof, A/C, Clutchless version…etc… Amazing car. A good reinterpretation of all these functions in EV format would be amazing…and as a city car they could go away with some LFP not that big batteries…
Just my 2 cents
I was deeply impressed with it when it came out…something like that but with a small battery (27 Kw/h)………….100 mile rang even in winter. 80 mph is fine….0-60 (100) in 12-14 secs fine….under £14,000 before rebate
This looks interesting as well: Geely’s SEA platform for all segments: https://www.electrive.com/2021/06/18/new-details-on-the-scope-of-geelys-sea-e-platform/
They already have planned 4 different sizes of batteries for up to 700km range and very respectable wheelbase. If Volvo will adopt it, they will present us much better vehicles than current ones.
Looks interesting, thanks for sharing Rok.