Well, this could shake up the establishment a little. Just a day after Peugeot pulled the covers off the production spec e-208 GTi, another Stellantis brand has let slip that its own hot hatch could be on the way. And before you get your hopes up… no, it’s not Alfa Romeo.
It is instead Chinese maker Leapmotor that may just offer the sportier version of its upcoming B05 hatchback on our shores.
“Off the back of tests in China and the enthusiasm of the media, we are seriously considering bringing this car to Europe,” said Francesco Giacalone, sales and marketing boss for Leapmotor Europe.
The B05 Ultra is actually known as the Lafa 5 Ultra in its home market, and there it gets an upgraded motor that sends 241bhp and 236lb ft of torque to its rear wheels. Not huge, but enough for a respectable 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds. That makes it just as quick off the line as a standard Golf GTI.
The Ultra trim also adds sports suspension with new springs and dampers, plus sportier Hankook tyres, sports seats and a body kit that includes a front lip spoiler and a Mk8 Golf R-esque rear wing. It’s also available in Thunder Yellow, Starlight Green and Liquid Silver paints. The latter is up above, but it’s the former we’d really want.
“The Ultra version gets additional horsepower, additional braking capability, more precise steering, suspension tuned for sportiness, and even more aerodynamic solutions,” said Giacalone.
“In this moment we are considering the appetite, but considering the volume of questions I’m getting on Ultra every time I talk about B05, I think we are heading in the right direction to make it happen.”
When asked if there might be a chance of it getting even more power before its voyage across the seas, Giacalone noted that the C01 saloon had recently been fitted with an extra motor in China for all-wheel drive and 536bhp.
“I would consider all-wheel drive if it was technically possible and if the volumes would sustain that development. That’s the same consideration for every product, but we are introducing a sedan which is all-wheel drive and well appreciated by customers.
“If there is demand, then the process can be quite streamlined. It takes us 18 months to develop a car end-to-end, so these types of changes don’t take a crazy long time. Leapmotor has already added a front motor to an existing model in less than nine months (the C01).
“It’s just a matter of investment, and that will only happen if there is willingness to buy the car,” he added.