Leapmotor B05 Ultra: The European sports version will be developed by Alfa Romeo in Balocco

When Leapmotor unveiled its new B05 in Europe in the spring of 2026, the Chinese brand made one point very clear: this compact electric rear-wheel-drive vehicle was not developed exclusively for the Chinese market. Its handling has been specifically tailored to European expectations thanks to the work of its engineers Stellantis. This commitment could go even further with the upcoming B05 Ultra, the sporty version of the model.

For while the standard B05 has already been fine-tuned in collaboration with Stellantis’s chassis teams, European executives at the brand are now hinting that the upcoming Ultra variant will undergo even more extensive development, directly linked to the Balocco test center, the historic testing ground for Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

A B05 already modified by Italian engineers

For several months now, Leapmotor has made no secret of the contribution made by Italian teams to the development of its European models. The B05 currently on sale in Europe features a rear-wheel-drive layout, a 50/50 weight distribution, and a chassis co-developed with the global experts at Stellantis.

At the European launch event held a few days ago in Germany, the brand placed particular emphasis on the work done to meet the expectations of European drivers. The McPherson front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, and specific tuning were designed to offer greater precision and responsiveness than the versions intended for the Chinese market. This strategy is not new. As early as 2025, Leapmotor International executives were already explaining that All models intended for the European market went through the Balocco test center in order to be suited to the roads and tastes of Europe.

The upcoming B05 Ultra won't be just another Chinese knockoff

But it is a recent statement from Leapmotor’s European executives that is drawing attention today. When asked about the arrival of the B05 Ultra—which is already on sale in China with an output of 180 kW (245 hp) and 320 Nm of torque— Danilo Annese, head of sales operations at Leapmotor Europe, explained that the European version would likely not be a simple replica of the Chinese model.

According to him, the brand wants to go beyond a simple body kit or a slight increase in power. The European teams are currently discussing a version developed specifically for our market. The message is clear: the future European B05 Ultra will have to deliver a true sports car experience, rather than merely offering a more aggressive look.

The most interesting detail, however, concerns where this transformation is taking place. According to Leapmotor officials, the current European B05 has already undergone extensive modifications by Alfa Romeo at the Balocco test track. Engineers have not only modified the chassis settings but also revised certain suspension mounting points to lower the center of gravity. The result is reportedly different enough that the brand’s executives describe the European version as a model entirely distinct from its Chinese counterpart. This same approach is now expected to be applied to the future B05 Ultra—and even more so.

As a reminder, Balocco is far from being just a test track. Located between Turin and Milan, this circuit has seen several generations of Alfa Romeo sports cars, Maseratis, and numerous models from the Stellantis group. It is here that the dynamic settings of many vehicles are fine-tuned before they go on sale.

An electric sports car inspired by the Alfa Romeo philosophy?

Behind this project lies a very specific goal: to create a sporty electric compact car capable of winning over even the most demanding European drivers. Alexis Cieslewicz, Product Marketing Manager at Leapmotor Europe, has also sent a fairly direct message to the competition. Referring to certain very powerful electric sports cars, he explains that he is seeking, above all, a balance between power and handling.

Without naming many competitors, he did, however, cite the MG4 XPower as an example, arguing that high power output is not enough if the handling isn’t up to par. This statement speaks volumes about the direction the B05 Ultra project is taking. Rather than simply chasing horsepower, Leapmotor seems intent on building on the expertise Alfa Romeo has developed in chassis engineering and dynamic balance.

In short, if you’re looking for a car similar to an electric Alfa Romeo Giulietta, this upcoming Leapmotor B05 Ultra—with 245 hp, rear-wheel drive, a 50/50 weight distribution, and tuned on the Balocco circuit—is a strong contender.