New Models / 17 August 2026 / Warren Hawkins

New Chinese hybrid SUV launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

Chinese carmaker Leapmotor is adding a second model to its South African stable with the imminent arrival of the B10 Hybrid EV.

Joining the C10 Hybrid EV as Leapmotor’s second SUV offering in the local market, the B10 will arrive later this year, with orders opening tomorrow, 18 August 2026.

Ahead of the launch, the Chinese carmaker has shared details about its model line-up, pricing, and features.

“This compact SUV ushers in a new generation of intelligent vehicles designed to make electrified mobility more accessible, simpler, and fully aligned with everyday needs, delivering true ‘Peace of Drive’,” said Leapmotor.

The B10 Hybrid EV will arrive in South Africa in two derivatives – the Style and Design – with prices starting at R499,900 at launch.

Performance

The compact SUV was built on the LEAP 3.5 platform, an REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) platform that enables greater range thanks to its unique configuration.

Unlike conventional hybrid systems, the wheels are powered exclusively by the 158kW electric motor, while the 1.5-litre petrol engine acts solely as a generator, producing electricity when the battery requires it.

According to Leapmotor, this results in a driving experience similar to pure EVs, which are quiet, smooth, responsive, and offer instant torque, while eliminating long-distance range anxiety.

The B10 is fitted with an 18.8kWh battery that enables up to 86km of pure electric range, which, thanks to its range extender, can achieve up to 900km of combined range.

This is the result of a combined fuel consumption of only 0.9l/100km, though this is calculated using the electric-only range and switching on the petrol-consuming range extender to fuel the balance.

Features

The compact SUV will arrive in South Africa with styling similar to its sibling, but with sharper lines and a more angular look.

It will also be offered with five paint finishes, including the launch colour Starry Night Blue inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic painting, and two interior themes.

As a modern Chinese offering, the B10 features a 14.6-inch 2.5K HD central touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a modern digital interface.

Safety features include seven airbags and an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) with 17 driver-assistance features, and a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

For owner convenience, the B10 can be managed through the Leapmotor App, which enables remote vehicle management, real-time vehicle monitoring, charging scheduling, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates.