The roll out of Chery’s new Lepas brand continues, with the UK set to receive it in the third quarter of the year. The first new model will be the L8, a flagship SUV that already been launched in Indonesia, debuting there in November ahead of deliveries starting in April.
Essentially the export version of China’s new second-generation Chery Tiggo 8, the L8 is built on Chery’s all-new LEX new energy vehicle platform. Unlike the outgoing Tiggo 8, this car is a solely a five-seater and measures just three millimetres longer (4,725 mm), even though the wheelbase has been stretched by some 115 mm (2,825 mm).
The L8 sports Lepas’ simple, rounded design language said to be inspired by pottery, with “leopard’s eye” daytime running lights and vertical headlights flanking a large rectangular grille. There are also flush door handles, while the rear end is slightly derivative with Porsche Macan-style full-width taillights. The shoulders and flanks are supposed to evoke the haunches and abdomen of a leopard, but we don’t see it.
Inside, you get a minimalist dashboard with a waterfall centre console housing a 13.2-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, with the driver facing a 10.25-inch instrument display and a steering wheel from the Omoda C7.
In Indonesia, the L8 is offered solely as a plug-in hybrid, using the same Super Hybrid System (SHS) as the Jaecoo J7, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEVs. This combines a 1.5 litre turbo four-cylinder, an electric motor and a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), producing a combined output of 275 PS and 365 Nm of torque. Lepas claims a pure EV range of 107 km and a total range of 1,200 km.
Contrast this to China, where the new Tiggo 8 is powered by a carryover 1.6 litre turbo making 200 PS and 310 Nm of torque, allied to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The mill, in slightly detuned form, was only recently introduced in Malaysia on the non-Pro, first-generation Tiggo 8 (confusing, huh?) last month.
Closer to home, the Lepas brand is set to be launched in Malaysia in the first half of the year, ahead of the UK. The timing has slipped somewhat, as it was supposed to arrive in the first quarter, as was announced in November. Besides the L8, the company will also introduce the smaller B-segment L4, which has already been sighted locally.
GALLERY: Lepas L8 at GIIAS 2025
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Originality is what makes a car maker great. Copycats don’t earn as much respect.
2 common features of Malaysian made vehicles:
Firstly, Big loud ugly “logo” stamped on the back of your car. Be it “Tiger” logo or Red and White colour logo ,..
Secondly, weird name… Perodua , Proton…. cannot understand why such name…
The UK automotive market remains fiercely competitive, with premium mainstays like Audi maintaining a dominant presence. However, Chery’s new export-only brand, Lepas, is emerging as a formidable challenger. Aiming to join the established premium SUV segment, Lepas leverages advanced long-range plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and EV technology.
While the UK launch is slated for Q3 2026, the brand is prioritizing Malaysia as its primary regional hub with an earlier debut in 1H 2026. A cornerstone of this strategy is a commitment to CKD (local assembly) operations, ensuring these high-tech SUVs are tailored for the local market with competitive pricing and long-term service stability. Supported by a planned 30-showroom network and a flagship Lifestyle Experience Center in the Klang Valley, Lepas is set to redefine elegant travel. By integrating Chery’s Super Hybrid Technology, the brand promises to elevate the Malaysian driving experience with unmatched power, efficiency, and an ultra-long range of over 1,300 km
Chery, Chery lady,
Goin’ through a motion,
Leading the drive with a high-tech devotion
Interior vibe is mesidis like, I like, something different from boring typical Chinese squarish tablet.
Le Pas, the paris branch of PAS