Leapmotor S01 History

The S01 was Leapmotor's first production vehicle and the public debut of the brand's ambitions: a 2+2 battery-electric coupe shown at the 2017 Guangzhou Auto Show and put on sale in China in June 2019. Priced between 129,900 and 159,900 yuan, it was offered with 35.6 kWh or 48 kWh battery options delivering up to 380–451 km NEDC range, and a 125 kW (168 hp) permanent-magnet motor with a 0–100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds.

Despite its sporty positioning, the S01 sold in very modest numbers — roughly 1,000 units in 2019, only 709 in 2020, and 640 in 2021 — reflecting the difficulty of the two-door coupe segment in China. Production wound down in 2022 (only 63 units that year), and the model was quietly discontinued as Leapmotor pivoted to SUVs and city cars. The S01 remains historically significant as the car that proved the company could build and deliver a self-developed EV.