The Lepas L8 will cost from just under £35,000 when pre-orders for the hybrid family SUV open in July.
Set to rival plug-in versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Skoda Kodiaq, the Lepas L8 is the flagship model from the latest Chinese new-energy brand to hit the UK.
Lepas is being positioned as the premium marque from the massive Chery group, which also sells Jaecoo, Omoda and Chery models in the UK.
The 4.7-metre-long L8 is technically related to the Jaecoo 7, Chery Tiggo 8 and Omoda 7 and uses the same “Super-Hybrid” plug-in system. This pairs an electric motor with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an 18.4kWh battery. Lepas says the L8 will cover up to 56 miles on electric power alone, with a combined total range of 745 miles.
A fully electric version of the Lepas L8 will be launched in 2027.
Pre-orders for the L8 open in July, with first customer deliveries in September.
The L8 is being sold in two trim levels, with Essence grade starting at £34,900 and Elevate priced from £37,900.
Externally, the only difference between the two grades is the wheels, which are 19-inch diamond cut alloys on the Essence and 20-inch designs on the Elevate.
Both cars also come with adaptive LED headlights as standard, along with a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone-climate control, keyless entry and go and a 13.2-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple and Android compatibility.
Pitched against higher-grade versions of rivals, Elevate adds a hands-free power tailgate, heated windscreen and power-adjustable front seats with heating, cooling and massage functions. It also brings a 540-degree parking camera, active noise cancellation, a Sony sound system and full faux-leather upholstery.
Lepas claims the L8 has been “designed from the wheels up for Europe” and enhanced specifically for UK roads, with luxury and refinement taken to “the next level”. We’ll reserve judgement on that until we’ve driven it in the UK but the hybrid powertrain impressed us in the related Chery Tiggo 7.
Following the L8’s launch, Lepas will bring two more models to the UK, with the smaller L6 and L4 SUVs.
