New car brand to UK to ‘rival’ BMW, Volvo and Kia

Lepas, a new Chinese car brand owned by Chery Automotive, is set to launch three new SUVs in the UK within the next 12 months

Lepas is set to introduce three brand-new SUVs to the UK market over the coming 12 months.

The firm is a newcomer owned by Chinese automotive giant Chery Automotive, sitting within the company’s ‘export strategy’ programme, which is designed to bring fresh brands to European markets. Fellow marques Jaecoo and Omoda have already made their mark under this same banner.

The first model due to hit showrooms in the third quarter of this year is Lepas’ flagship, the L8. It will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, pairing a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 18kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed all-electric range of up to 55 miles.

Next up will be the L6 mid-size SUV, which is set to take on the Kia Sportage. It will be offered with petrol, hybrid and electric options. While Lepas has kept quiet on the petrol variant’s powertrain specifics, the hybrid will feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit paired with an electric motor, and the fully electric version will boast a 67kWh battery pack and electric motor, with a claimed range of up to 270 miles.

Rounding off the range will be the compact L4, the smallest model in the Lepas line-up. This compact crossover will go head-to-head with the Volvo EX30 and BMW iX1 when it launches next year, reports Wales Online.

Powertrain details remain sparse at this point, though Lepas has confirmed an electric option will be available. More information about Lepas’ SUV line-up is due to be announced later this year, with orders expected to open shortly after.