Lepas is set to introduce three new SUVs to the UK market over the coming 12 months.
Lepas is a fledgling brand owned by Chinese automotive giant Chery Automotive. It sits within Chery’s ‘export strategy’ programme, which launches new marques specifically tailored for European markets. Brands such as Jaecoo and Omoda have already found considerable success under this umbrella.
The first model to arrive, 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 to deliver a claimed electric range of up to 55 miles.
The second model to follow will be the L6 mid-size SUV, pitched squarely against the Kia Sportage. It will be offered with petrol, hybrid and electric options. Lepas has yet to disclose details of the petrol model’s powertrain, though the hybrid will feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit paired with an electric motor, while the EV will utilise a 67kWh battery pack and electric motor to provide a claimed range of up to 270 miles.
Rounding off the range, the L4 will be 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 arrives next year.
Powertrain details remain scarce at this stage, though Lepas has confirmed it will be offered with an electric drivetrain. Additional information about Lepas’ SUV range will be unveiled later this year, with orders expected to commence afterwards.
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