• One power option – 95hp EV only
• Nippy for the money – 0-62mph in 12.0 seconds
• 165-mile WLTP driving range

Leapmotor T03 electric motor and battery

The T03 uses a single electric motor producing 95hp and 158Nm of torque. That’s enough to propel it from 0-62mph in 12.0 seconds, although it feels more than nippy enough at city speeds where instant torque gives it a sprightly feel away from the traffic lights.

There’s only one battery option: a 37.3kWh pack mounted under the floor. WLTP driving range is quoted at 165 miles, and our test car achieved around 115 miles in cold, wet conditions – respectable for a car of this size and price.

Charging from 30-to-80% takes around 36 minutes using a fast public charger. That’s not lightning-quick, but entirely acceptable given the T03’s price point and use case – and means that it’s more than capable of travelling between cities without feeling completely out of its depth. Again, that puts it well ahead of a Dacia Spring.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Fun in town
• Light, easy steering
• Feels secure

On city streets, the T03 is right at home. The suspension is supple enough to soak up potholes without feeling loose or floaty, and its small footprint makes it feel agile and confidence-inspiring. For anyone looking for a small car for town duties, you could go little wrong here.

Steering feel is light but vague at the straight ahead, which makes the T03 feel a bit woolly at higher speeds. It gets better as you turn the wheel, and it’s perfectly suited to urban dashes and tight manoeuvres. On the motorway it tends to wander a bit, but it’s not all at sea as older city cars can be – and it’s way more capable than a Dacia Spring.

Grip is impressive, helped by the fitment of quality Continental tyres rather than the cheap rubber you used to find fitted to Chinese cars. You can drive it hard without unsettling the chassis, although it’s not as sharp as a (more expensive) Renault 5 E-Tech or Hyundai Inster.

Brakes are responsive and predictable. The regen system is mild, so you’ll still need to use the brake pedal in most situations. Noise suppression is generally good, but wind noise becomes intrusive at motorway speeds.