New Chery-owned brand Lepas has revealed pricing and spec details for its launch car, the L8 SUV. 

It’s all very exciting, the new car will be available in two trims – Essence and Elevate – and will launch with a plug-in hybrid powertrain with an electric version to follow in 2027. 

The L8 Essence will cost £34,900 on the road says Lepas, while the swankier L8 Elevate (try saying that after a couple of drinks. But don’t try driving it after a few drinks, that’s very bad) will cost £37,900 on the road.

The L8 PHEV comes with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol and an 18.4kWh battery that can be fast charged at 40kW on a DC charger, getting a 30–80% top-up in 20 minutes. The electric range is 56 miles (WLTP) and Lepas reckons you’ll get 745 miles with a full tank and a topped up battery. 

The Essence comes with 19in alloys as standard, as well as dual-zone climate control, keyless go,  a 13.2in touchscreen infotainment setup with Apple and Android connectivity, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors and camera, plus a panoramic sunroof. 

The Elevate adds 20in alloys, electrically adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, engine noise cancelling tech, a fancy Sony sound system, front parking sensors and a surround view parking camera. 

Orders for the new car are set to open in July (that’s about now) with deliveries starting in September (that’s sooner than you think). 

There are smaller L6 and L4 models to follow from the new Chinese marque. The L6 mid-sized SUV will be here before the end of 2026 and the L4 (a smaller SUV that was unveiled at this year’s Beijing motor show) will come along at some point in 2027. 

Will it ever consider selling an oddly numbered model? Great question – the L1, L2 and L3 cars have already been confirmed as it goes. The L1 is set to be an entry level SUV, the L2 an electric hatchback and the L3 a bigger, swankier version of the L8. Not at all confusing. 

Lepas models are currently all built in China, but owner Chery is in talks with Nissan to build some of its cars in Sunderland on a spare production line.