- Leapmotor seeks to expand its presence in the compact EV market with the Lafa 5 Ultra, featuring sportier configurations.
- The model targets high-end demand within the sub-150,000 yuan price band, arriving as the automaker's March deliveries rebound.
Leapmotor said the Lafa 5 Ultra will be launched on April 24, the first day of the Beijing Auto Show, and will feature an exclusive sports package and bespoke interior details.
The company is using the sportier, higher-spec electric hatchback to strengthen its product lineup in China's compact EV market.
Test-drive vehicles for the model have already arrived at its stores across China and currently support urban Navigation Assist Pilot (NAP) features.
The standard Lafa 5 was officially launched in November 2025 with a limited-time starting price of 92,800 yuan ($13,580).
The vehicle enters one of the most fiercely competitive mainstream EV segments, taking on rivals including Volkswagen AG's ID.3, SAIC Motor's MG4, BYD's Dolphin, and Nio Inc's Firefly EV.
The introduction of the Ultra version signals Leapmotor's ambition to capture a broader user base through higher specifications rather than relying solely on low prices.
The Lafa 5 Ultra adds an aerodynamic front splitter, winged side skirts, and a rear diffuser. It is also equipped with 19-inch wheels, matte dark-gray brake calipers, and blacked-out badging to emphasize a stronger performance-oriented visual language.
Frameless doors and flush side windows are also utilized to enhance the coupe styling. These elements distance the Ultra version from the standard model and help Leapmotor increase its brand recognition in an increasingly crowded price band.
Leapmotor also said that comfort has not been compromised by the sporty positioning.
The Lafa 5 Ultra features an eight-point massage system for the front seats — a rarity in its class and an additional selling point for family users.
The Lafa 5 Ultra is powered by a 180-kilowatt high-power electric drive. Compared with the 160 kW motor used in most current Lafa 5 versions, this means the new edition will deliver stronger power output and a clearer performance identity.
The vehicle will be equipped with dual flagship SA8295 and 8650 chips, as well as LiDAR, supporting nationwide urban NAP capabilities and reducing reliance on high-definition maps.
In March, Leapmotor delivered 50,029 vehicles, up 34.87% year-on-year and 78.25% month-on-month, snapping a three-month streak of sequential monthly delivery declines.
In the first quarter of this year, Leapmotor delivered a cumulative 110,155 vehicles, representing a 25.82% increase year-on-year, though still down 45.21% from the fourth quarter of 2025. This was primarily driven by the Chinese New Year holiday and the industry's traditional off-season.
Leapmotor is relying on a denser roll-out of new models to support full-year growth. In addition to the Lafa 5 Ultra, the company's flagship SUV, the D19, will be launched on April 16, while models such as the A10, A05, and D99 have also been included in its 2026 product roadmap.
The Stellantis NV-backed Chinese EV maker delivered nearly 600,000 new vehicles in 2025, achieving full-year profitability for the first time.
Leapmotor's management has set a full-year delivery target of one million vehicles for 2026.
($1 = 6.8337 yuan)
