Chery's Lepas will debut in October with a range of EVs and PHEVs, aiming to carve a niche in the Australian automotive market.
Chery is making its mark with the upcoming launch of its Lepas brand, poised to hit the Australian market in October with a mid-size crossover SUV. The brand is geared exclusively for export, marking its debut outside of China.
In a recent preview in Sydney, Chery showcased its new L6 EV, accompanied by pre-production models of the L6 and the L8, which will feature plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants. There's also the L4 EV small SUV making its debut, all built on the new LEX platform, although the specific connections to existing Chery architectures remain hazy.
Lepas intends to establish itself as a "new energy-only" brand in Australia. Although the initial focus will be on PHEVs and all-electric vehicles, a hybrid option is also in the pipeline. For customers wanting petrol power, they’ll need to look at Chery or Omoda Jaecoo models.
The L6 EV crossover will be the inaugural model, with the L4 EV following closely behind in December. Both vehicles will be equipped with a 65kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a front-mounted electric motor output of 160kW and 275Nm of torque.
Notably, both the L6 and L4 share a 2700mm wheelbase. However, the L4 EV boasts a slightly superior range, achieving 450km on the WLTP cycle compared to the 440km range of the L6 EV. The L4 measures 4420mm in length and 1817mm in width, while the L6 is somewhat larger at 4570mm long and 1852mm wide, drawing comparisons with the Chery E5 and Geely EX5.
PHEV versions of both the L6 and L4 are slated to roll out in March and June 2027, respectively. The Lepas L8 is expected to launch in September 2027, initially as a PHEV, with an electric variant scheduled for 2028.
The L8, marketed as a mid-size SUV, will feature a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an 18.4kWh LFP battery, offering a range of 90km on electric power, along with total outputs of 205kW and 365Nm. The dimensions of the L8 closely resemble its sibling, the Chery Tiggo 8, already available in China.
While the L8 can be ordered now in markets like the UK, it won’t reach Australia until after the L4 and L6 debut. Lepas has confirmed that the showcased models were pre-production, leaving room for specification alterations before the official launch.
The Lepas brand has plans to round out its lineup with additional models yet to be unveiled, including a flagship large SUV, the L9, scheduled for the latter half of 2027 in PHEV form with an electric model coming the following year. As it stands, the Chery Group offers large PHEV SUVs in Australia, but they've yet to introduce a fully electric model.
There's speculation around whether a larger electric SUV could come from the existing Chery Group offerings; the L6 shows similarities to the Fulwin T7 sold in China, with potential connections to larger SUVs such as the Fulwin T9L PHEV. These vehicles draw distinct visual cues from the Tiggo 9.
What's particularly interesting is that Lepas aims to distinguish itself from other brands within Chery's umbrella by launching the L2 hatchback in 2028, which will feature hybrid and electric powertrains. While images are yet to be revealed, early renders indicate a design reminiscent of high-performance vehicles, marked by strong lines and a striking grille.
The Lepas brand benefits from the established infrastructure of the Chery Group, easing its entry into the market. However, it will operate through separate dealerships distinct from Chery and Omoda Jaecoo. Initially, Lepas will have 40 dealerships, with aspirations to expand this to over 50 by the close of 2027.
Pricing remains under wraps, and the brand is managing expectations regarding its market positioning, with a clear focus away from the premium sector.
While specific sales targets are undisclosed, Chery Motor Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris indicated that Lepas aims for a targeted audience, stating, “The target market that we're going after is a lot smaller than Chery.” This strategy reflects a desire to cater to a niche segment.
By the end of 2027, the Chery portfolio in Australia will expand to six distinct brands, with the announcements of the iCaur and Freelander brands alongside Jetour also entering the scene.
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