01/03/2026

theSunday Special XIV ON SUNDAY MAR 1, 2026

points in its cars, one is the lack of Carplay and Android Auto and that has been fixed. And the other is an entry system that can only be described as ill thought. You get two choices for vehicle entry. One is a key card that looks like one of those cards you use to get into an office or a condo. The other is a mobile application which the car detects and unlocks automati cally. Stellantis Malaysia did not prepare any application for us to try out so this review will focus on the card itself. To access and drive the car with the card, you must first tap it on the driver’s side mir ror, get in and place the card on a dedicated slot on the centre console. Only then can you drive the car. To lock the car after you leave, you must tap the card on the driver’s side mirror again. It only works on the driver’s side mir

170kph. Curiously, both variants of the B10 have identical performance figures even though the flagship Design variant has a bigger bat tery at 67.1kWh as compared to the 56.2kWh of the Life variant. That means that the bigger battery only focuses on giving the car better range, all 434km on the WLTP cycle. That is signifi cantly more than the 361km that the Life variant offers. There isn’t much different with the charging rates though. The Life offers 11kW of AC charging, as does the Design. But because the latter has a bigger battery, it takes 5.6 hours to recharge from zero to 100 where else the Life variant takes just 4.2 hours. Both variants also have different DC charging abilities, with the Life capable of 140kW and the Design with 67.1kWh.

speaker sound system that the flagship Design variant gets (the cheaper Life model gets 6-speakers and a smaller battery which naturally means lower overall range). Overall sound quality is rich while bass beats deep, but perhaps not as crisp as the sound quality in the flagship e.MAS 7. Up next is spaciousness, which Leapmotor cars seem to excel at. We were first stunned at the interior space of the C10 many moons ago, and the B10 has once again blown us away. You get ample head and legroom at every seat. In fact, the unusually large panoramic roof also amplifies the sense of spacious ness, making it feel larger than it already is. At the front, you get a floating centre console with a multi-purpose island. This includes multiple cubby holes for all the smaller items as well. If you are the outdoorsy type, you will

Perhaps bigger wheels would have filled up the wheel wells a little better but that would also have sacrificed range and per formance. WHAT ABOUT THE INTERIOR? If you expect the B10 to offer space and comfort, you will not be disappointed. However, the interior is wrapped in silicone leather. This may sound somewhat disap pointing, but there is a purpose for it. You see, it is not just synthetic leather that you sometimes get in cheaper cars. The silicone material used around the B10 is something called Oeko-Tex Standard 100. It is a baby-friendly material that is made from bamboo charcoal fabric with low odour, water-based adhesives. So, this non-toxic material in the B10 makes it a perfect place for young ones who like to nibble on everything they can get

The infotainment system now comes with Carplay.

The instrument cluster moves when you adjust the steering wheel

You have to tap a card on the side mirror to get in and drive the car.

ror, which is very irritating to say the least. I am sure the mobile application will offer a more fluid experience, but the card just seems archaic at best. Should Leapmotor decide to fix its access system as it did by introducing Carplay, it would perfect an already impressive pack age. SHOULD YOU BUY ONE? Let’s be frank here. The Proton e.MAS 7 is a very impressive package at a very attrac tive price. Beating it is difficult to say the least. The Leapmotor B10 is a great package as well. It drives well, offers a brilliant interior and a handsome design. In a sea of Proton’s and BYD’s, the Leapmotor turns heads and makes people wonder what it drives like. People are curi ous about its Maserati tuned handling as well as its interior, and on the handling front the Leapmotor is arguably the best in class. If you can look past its entry system, the Leapmotor B10 is a great daily EV. SPECIFICATIONS Motor: Single, Rear-mounted Battery: CATL / 67.1kWh LFP Power: 218PS / 240Nm Charging rate: 11kW AC / 168kW DC Range: 434km WLTP 0-100kph: 8 seconds Top speed: 170kph PRICE (AS TESTED): RM118,800

their hands on. This simple thought has turned the B10 into the ideal everyday part ner particularly for those with a young fam ily. And if you don’t have to worry about tod dlers munching down on everything, you will still appreciate the supple, comfort of the seats. Overall quality is decent as well, though I reckon some of the plastic bits and design elements around the dash will split opin ions. I don’t mind them, but I am sure there are some who might find them to be a little, hollow. Beyond that, the interior of the B10 is typically EV, with a large 14.6-inch infotain ment system dominating the interior. Tech lovers will appreciate this screen as it comes with a 2.5k high-resolution display, provid ing crystal clear read outs in all conditions. The software for the operating system is straight forward to use as well, with the menu clearly laid out in easy-to-understand format. The system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip which gives you a lag-free and responsive user experi ence. There is another 8.8-inch display as well for the instrument cluster. This is mounted to the telescopic steering column and moves with the steering every time you adjust the wheel. As for entertainment and navigation, the Leapmotor B10 now offers Carplay and Android Auto – a much welcomed addition and this is the first time a Leapmotor car comes with both systems ever since the marque first launched in Malaysia. Audiophiles will appreciate the 12

The dash is purposefully designed.

In terms of driving dynamics, the sus pension stands out as one that balances comfort and control. With macpherson struts at the front and the rear kept in check by multi-links, you get a car that rolls over the bad stuff with minimal body roll in cor ners. It’s not like you will throw the car around in corners like you would a A45S, but it is nice knowing that the car has such well sorted suspension. That Maserati touch gives you a lively front end with a steering system that feels precise and responsive. Not many will appreciate this, but it is nice to know that it is there. Couple this with impressive refinement, you get a car that isolates you from the bus tle of everyday life. Considering how stress ful urban life can be with daily chores and horrific traffic, sometimes all you want is to sit in relative silence. And you get that with the B10.

also like that the front seats fold flat back wards, and with the headrests removed, you get your own personal bed. With vehicle to load (V2L) capability, this lets you spend time outdoors with power for all your usual comforts such as a stand fan. But it only has a 3.3kW output so it won’t power all the conveniences you expect. But if you’re heading outdoors or even for a holiday, you will also appreciate the amount of storage the B10 has for all your equipment. The boot measures in at an impressive 430-litres which extends to 1700 litres with the rear seats folded. And there is also a 25 litre frunk, which is not exactly very big but good enough for some small durians or even wet clothes after a day out at the beach. HOW DOES IT DRIVE? Don’t expect explosive power with the B10. The single, rear-mounted electric motor puts out 218PS and 240Nm of torque and this helps it accelerate to 100kph in eight seconds flat, onto a top speed of

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

We like: Ride and comfort. We don’t like: Entry system.

The entry system of the car is still a sore point. Leapmotors have had two such