This is a busy time of year for Irish motors writers, who are members of the MMAI, as we get ready to vote for the Irish Car of the Year. The total number of new car sales Ireland in recent years is around 120,000; that’s not a massive amount and Irish sales are often to be similar to those in the greater Manchester area. Yes, we compare everything on sale here with our friends in England.
Ireland is now a very competitive market; we already have a few Chinese brands and Geely, another Chinese brand, is due to open a sales office in Dublin very soon. We also have a large number of second-hand cars being imported from the UK and more recently from Japan.
The MMAI members have to adjudicate on 51 new cars; there are nine different categories, and the overall winner is due to be announced on November 12th. Ford has won the Irish Car of the Year award eight times since 1978, but Henry’s descendants don’t have a car in the running this year.
This week’s test car, the Leap B05, falls in the compact car section and that’s a very accurate description for this Chinese car, which is distributed in Ireland by the Gowan group.
My test car came in a shade of grey, similar to the Lavender-coloured Mercedes GLC that I drove the previous week. You won’t see the B05 compared to the GLC, but I have seen it compared the VW Golf, which is definitely a compliment.
The Leap brand was introduced to Ireland in November last year and they now have ten dealers around the country. In addition to the B05, other Leap models currently on sale in Ireland include the T03, B10, and C10. Their B03X, EV SUV is due this month and the B03 is due early next year.
Externally, I suppose the B05 does look a little like the VW Golf. Inside you get a small screen which you can see through the gap in the steering wheel and that tells your speed and the speed limit on the road you are travelling on.
In in the middle of the dash is a 14-inch infotainment screen which gives you all the info you require. But it would be best to make most of your selections from that screen before starting your journey. However, you do get slave controls on the steering wheel.
To the left of the infotainment screen, just above the glove compartment, are what can only be described as six holes on the dash, two rows of three. I can only surmise that those holes are for optics only. The only item you could place in those ‘holes’ would be flowers. You have a choice of various ambient lighting colours in the interior.
You can fit three adults in the back seat, but it’s a bit of a squeeze. It’s much more comfortable with just two back seat passengers and when that happens, they can use the arm rest in the middle.
The boot is a decent size, officially 350 litres and the Chinese are no different to Europeans, as no spare wheel is provided. The button to open the boot is discreetly located, placed under one of the rear lights; and no Frunk.
Like all electric cars, the B05 will take off like a greyhound when you ‘step on the gas’. Stephen McGrath, Brand Manager for Leap, said that the B05 has been tested and calibrated for Irish roads. Stephen added that road surfaces in China are much better than Irish roads.
Prices start at €28,998. Two battery types available and the range with the smaller 56.2 kWh batty is approximately 400km, while the larger 67.1kWh battery should give you around 450km.
It’s a very lively and stylish car and should be well able to compete in the Compact Car section. The yellow version looks very attractive.
Most new cars open automatically when you approach with the fob in your pocket. However, Leap cars are opened by moving the fob over a tiny spot on the driver’s wing mirror. Don’t be caught out if you ask for a test drive.
