Latest news with #L8
The Citizen
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: Where new Lepas brand will fit into Chery strategy
The Lepas L8 SUV is expected to make its South African debut by early next year. China carmaker Chery is set to introduce yet another new brand to South Africa in the form of Lepas early next year. Lepas will follow in the footsteps of Omoda and Jaecoo, two Chery brands which share a dealership floors but each has its own identity, and iCaur, which is set to be formally introduced locally this year. Another brand associated with Chery, Jetour, is operated entirely independently. Lepas makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring's Pitstop podcast, we take a closer look at Lepas. We attended the world premiere of its first model, the L8 SUV, in Wuhu, China last month. In the overall Chery strategy, Lepas will take aim at Mazda in offering 'soft and sleek' cars. The core Chery models rival Toyota, Hyundai, VW and MG, Omoda and Jaecoo rival Kia and BYD and iCaur will target Jeep. Chery says the Tiggo Pro family SUVs cater to a moderate and traditional buyer, while Lepas is aimed at younger buyers with a fashion sense. Lepas is a combination of the words 'leopard' and 'passion.' Chery says the car's shoulder lines were sculpted on the contours of an American leopard, and its LED headlights resemble the eyes of the said leopard. Innovative cabin options The Lepas L8 goes into production at the end of the year. It should be rolled out locally by early next year. Smaller L6 and L4 models are set to follow the L8. ALSO READ: New Chery-owned brand Lepas launched, coming to South Africa The L8's configurable cabin enables the driver's seat to be almost fully reclined to create what Chery calls 'Nap Mode'. The front seats can also be reclined, along with a pull-down screen providing what is called 'Cinema Mode'. 'Sleeping Mode' provides a double bed with the rear seats folded down, and the dashboard double acting as a headrest. No powertrain details were divulged.
NZ Autocar
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Chery launches another SUV brand in China called Lepas
Chery's SUV expansion continues with the Chinese automotive heavyweight unveiling a brand-new marque, Lepas, aimed squarely at younger, style-conscious buyers. The first vehicle to emerge from Lepas is dubbed the L8, and it rolled off the production line in Wuhu, China last month. The L8 will spearhead the brand's global push, leading a line-up that includes the mid-size L6, compact L4 and entry-level L2. All four will share Chery's versatile T1X platform, already familiar to Kiwi buyers through models like the Jaecoo J7 while the Chery Tiggo models will be here soon too. Read more Chery announces Tiggo SUV models for New Zealand The name Lepas, Chery says, combines the ideas of 'leap' and 'passion', fitting for a brand that plans to launch in 27 countries by the end of 2025, and 45 by 2027. With global annual sales targets of 500,000 units, Lepas is set to become a major player in Chery's expanding stable of sub-brands, which already includes Exeed, Jetour, Omoda, Jaecoo, and Luxeed, among others. It's been reported that Chery Australia remains tight-lipped on plans for Lepas to show up Downunder, but the brand's ambitions and existing momentum suggest a likely entry at some point. Lepas vehicles will offer battery-electric, petrol-hybrid (non-plug-in), and pure petrol drivetrains. The L2 will launch as a full EV, while hybrid models will employ Chery's latest 'Super Hybrid System' that has already been seen in the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit. Chery claims a real-world range of over 1400km from this setup, rivalling some diesel offerings in long-haul capability. Locally, Chery is deep into an SUV roll-out, with a range of Tiggo models confirmed for New Zealand. More hybrids and plug-in variants of the Omoda 5, Tiggo 7 Pro, and Tiggo 8 Pro Max are also under consideration.
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Chery launches new Lepas premium brand and it's coming to South Africa
The Lepas L8 is the new Chinese brand's first product, and will be its flagship. Yet another Chinese vehicle brand is heading to South Africa, following the introduction of Chery's new Lepas nameplate at the recent Shanghai Auto Show. Chery describes it as 'ushering in a new premium era', but says it will cover all mainstream segments with a diverse portfolio that caters for families as well as luxury car buyers. First out the starting blocks is the L8 SUV, and it is set to be followed by the smaller L6 and L4 SUV models, which embody a similar design language, which Chery refers to as 'Leopard Aesthetics'. The Lepas name, incidentally, is a combination of the words 'Leap' and 'Passion'. Chery has no shortage of automotive brands in its portfolio. It already owns the Jaecoo, Omoda and Jetour nameplates, although these are marketed separately, and Chery also unveiled its Himla bakkie sub-brand at the Shanghai show, which is bound for South Africa too. Lepas didn't release detailed specifications for its L8 flagship model displayed at the Shanghai show, but international media report that it will be offered with a combination of petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.
Cision Canada
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Chery LEPAS Makes Global Debut: Redefining Future Mobility with Elegant Technology
WUHU, China, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ -- On April 24, 2025, Chery officially unveiled its new brand LEPAS, showcasing the debut model L8 at a global launch event themed "COLORFUL LIFE, MASTERFUL DRIVE." Over 800 key dealers and leading media representatives worldwide witnessed the milestone. Positioned as Chery's strategic cornerstone for "elevated positioning, enhanced value, and market growth," LEPAS pioneers the vision of "elegant mobility," aiming to reshape the future mobility ecosystem through intelligent technology and aesthetic design. Zhang Guibing, President of Chery International, announced LEPAS will launch five models within three years. The product rollout will commence with the segment-defining SUV L8 launching in December 2025, followed by the A-class urban L6 targeting metropolitan elites and the agile A0-class L4 designed for style-conscious female drivers. LEPAS will pursue global market expansion through diversified strategies, targeting a worldwide network of 1,200 sales outlets and annual production and sales volume of 500,000 units, thereby creating new growth opportunities for partners. Backed by Chery's global R&D network and technology expertise, LEPAS is built on four foundational pillars: Leopard Aesthetics Design, Luxurious Space, Intelligent Safety, and Chery Super Hybrid. LEPAS L8 draws design inspiration from the muscular contours of a sprinting leopard, masterfully blending dynamic aesthetics with mechanical philosophy. Its distinctive vertical-pupil headlights and minimalist interactive cockpit create a perfect balance between power and elegance. The vehicle achieves groundbreaking advancements in intelligent systems, safety features, and scenario adaptability, fulfilling users' dual aspirations for cutting-edge technology and sophisticated aesthetics. "LEPAS will innovate upon Chery's technology base to revolutionize human-vehicle interaction through intelligent solutions, delivering premium yet value-driven mobility experiences for users worldwide," stated Zhong Wei, Deputy CEO of LEPAS. Through LEPAS's global expansion, Chery marks its strategic evolution from automotive manufacturer to mobility lifestyle trendsetter, poised to reshape the global automotive value landscape with elegant approach. SOURCE Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
New Chery-owned brand Lepas launched, coming to South Africa
Lepas range will initially consist of three combustion engine SUVs, two sedans and an entry-level EV. Lepas L6 will take-up station as the intermediate model between the L4 and L8. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Yet another Chinese range of SUVs is heading for South Africa, this time under the banner of Chery's new international brand called Lepas. Expected products The first model to roll off the assembly line, the Lepas L8, was revealed in Wuhu, China, on Thursday (25 April). It will go into production towards the end of this year, with two smaller models, the L6 and L4, to follow. In the pipeline after that is an all-electric L2 and two sedans. Separate from Chery The Lepas brand has been confirmed for South Africa, but the L8 is not expected to arrive before early next year. NOW READ: Chery Himla revealed as marque's long awaited first bakkie Chery plans to have around 30 dealerships up and running before then. They will function as independent entities like Chery's other sub-brands, Omoda & Jaecoo, and Jetour. Not for China Lepas will only be offered in Chery's international markets, not China. Chery believes there is a gap in these markets for a more upmarket and trendier styled SUV. L4 will, for the moment, be the entry-level combustion engine Lepas model. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe According to the manufacturer, the Chery Tiggo Pro family SUVs cater to a moderate and traditional buyer, while Lepas is aimed at younger buyers with a fashion sense. The name Lepas is a combination of the words 'leopard' and 'passion.' According to Chery, its shoulder lines were sculpted on the contours of an American leopard, and its LED headlights resemble the eyes of the big cat. Chinese porcelain inspired the curves on the doors and door handles. Select details The Lepas L8 features a striking yet simplistic front grille design, which is said to resemble luxury goods such as gemstones. The standout feature at the rear is a thin light bar connecting the taillights. The L8 is 4 688 mm long, 1 860 mm wide and 1 695 mm tall, which is very much on par with the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. The latter is 32 mm longer, 15 mm higher and features a similar width. Staying true to the Lepas slogan of 'Colourful Life, Masterful Drive,' the L8 will be offered in three launch colours. Norwegian Forest Green, Canada Maple Yellow, and Scotch Grass Green are reserved for the exterior but will also be used on the seats, dash, and door panels. The cabin features a 13.2-inch portrait-style infotainment system with multimodal voice control. It also has a rotary gear shifter and features such as diamond-shaped texture on the seats, a 'pebble suspended speaker' and 'rhythmic ripples' finishing. Chery claims that the 970 mm rear legroom in the Lepas L8 is more than the BMW X1, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offer. The rear recline angle of 32 degrees also gives it the edge over most others in the segment. An innovative configurable cabin enables the driver's seat to be almost fully reclined to provide 'Nap Mode'. Both front seats can be reclined with a pull-down screen providing what is called 'Cinema Mode', while 'Sleeping Mode' provides a double bed with the rear seats folded down and the dashboard double acting as a headrest. Up front No powertrain details were divulged during the launch, but expect that the range of Lepas SUVs will be offered with internal combustion engines, as plug-in hybrids (PHEV), or fully electric vehicles. The combustion engine L8 is likely to be powered by the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine used in other Chery products. The PHEV version should use the Chery Super Hybrid powertrain, which was announced for various Chery products at the Shanghai Auto Show this week. It combines the familiar 1.5-litre turbo engine with an electric motor and battery pack. NOW READ: South Africa-bound Omoda C7 PHEV details emerge abroad
