Summary
- Leapmotor T03 is a Chinese car assembled in Europe, in contrast to Dacia Spring which is a European car made in China
- Leapmotor T03 launched in China in 2020 and debuted in Europe in the previous year
- The production of Leapmotor T03 in the European Union helps bypass high import tariffs on Chinese EVs
- The price of Leapmotor T03 in Romania starts at €19,900, slightly more expensive than Dacia Spring
- Leapmotor T03 has in-house designed components, LFP battery, and DC fast-charging standard, with a more spacious interior than Dacia Spring
Article
The Leapmotor T03 is a Chinese car assembled in Europe that was launched in China in 2020 and debuted in Europe last year. It is produced in the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland, through a joint venture agreement with Leapmotor. Assembling the car in the European Union helps to bypass high import tariffs on Chinese EVs, keeping the price of the city runabout affordable. In Romania, the T03 starts at €19,900 and a fully loaded version is just over €23,000, which is about double the cost in China. Despite being about €3,000 more expensive than its rival, the Dacia Spring, the Leapmotor T03 offers a more luxurious interior and additional features like a panoramic glass roof.
The Leapmotor T03 features around 60% of in-house designed components, including the platform it is built on. It is equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery and an active thermal management system, as well as DC fast-charging as a standard feature. In comparison, the Dacia Spring lacks these features and only offers DC fast-charging as an optional extra. The T03 is slightly shorter and wider than the Dacia Spring, with a 30% smaller trunk. While the back seat may be a bit tight for adults, four people can travel comfortably in the vehicle. The materials used in the cabin are of good quality for its class, although soft-touch plastics are not included.
Despite its smaller size, the Leapmotor T03 impresses with its road manners and performance in urban driving conditions in a city like Bucharest. The car is designed with urban driving in mind and is expected to perform well on crowded streets. However, further testing is needed to evaluate its capabilities on open roads and in other driving conditions. The T03 is equipped with a digital gauge cluster, central infotainment display, and additional aftermarket head unit for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. While the built-in infotainment of the T03 lacks these features, the aftermarket head unit provides additional connectivity options.
Overall, the Leapmotor T03 offers a blend of performance, features, and affordability that sets it apart from its main rival, the Dacia Spring. With a focus on urban driving and a more luxurious interior, the T03 caters to consumers looking for a stylish and practical city runabout. Its in-house designed components, advanced battery technology, and fast-charging capabilities make it a competitive option in the European EV market. Further testing and evaluation will provide a comprehensive understanding of the T03’s capabilities and performance in various driving conditions.
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