Lepas L8 SUV Confirmed as First UK Model from New Chinese Brand
Lepas, a new Chinese automotive brand, has officially confirmed that its flagship L8 SUV will be the first model introduced to UK buyers in late summer 2026. This move establishes Lepas as the fourth brand from parent company Chery to enter the UK market, joining existing brands Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery's own-brand vehicles.
Chery's Expanding UK Presence
Chery has been steadily building its presence in the UK automotive sector. Most recently, the company launched its own-brand cars, including the Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8, and Tiggo 9 models. Jaecoo offers its Range Rover-inspired Jaecoo 5 and Jaecoo 7, while Omoda, which was the first Chery brand to arrive in Britain, sells the Omoda 5, Omoda 7, and Omoda 9.
The announcement from Lepas follows closely on the heels of the brand's initial declaration of its intention to launch in the UK. The L8 SUV is positioned as the inaugural step in what Lepas describes as a long-term commitment to the British market.
Design and Technology Focus
The Lepas L8 will serve as the cornerstone of the brand's early strategy, which aims to blend design-led styling with advanced driver assistance and connectivity technologies. This approach is designed to help Lepas carve out a niche among the increasing number of Chinese-backed electric vehicle entrants in the UK.
The brand's name is derived from a fusion of the words leopard, leap, and passion. These themes are said to inform both the design direction and the broader philosophy of the company. Lepas defines its mission as establishing elegance in the new energy era, combining technology, safety, and design to deliver a refined driving experience.
Like its sibling brands Omoda, Jaecoo, and Chery, Lepas is expected to offer strong value with a comprehensive array of features and equipment.
L8 SUV Specifications and Features
The L8 SUV showcases what Lepas terms its signature design language, drawing visual inspiration from the agile, muscular contours of a running leopard. The LED headlight signature is intended to mimic the focused gaze of a leopard's eye.
Inside, the L8 offers a calm and generously proportioned five-seat cabin, emphasizing its role as a family-oriented flagship rather than a niche performance vehicle. The SUV is built on Chery International's modular New Energy Vehicle platform, engineered to balance ride comfort with performance suitable for global markets.
Technology and safety are central to the L8's proposition. The vehicle features a globally intelligent architecture that integrates in-cabin digital features and comprehensive driver assistance systems, alongside engineering designed to meet global five-star safety standards.
Powertrain and Pricing Expectations
Specific details regarding powertrain or battery configurations have not yet been released. However, the use of Chery's modular NEV platform suggests potential for multiple drivetrain options in the future. If the L8 follows the lead of the Chery brand flagship, the Tiggo 9, it is likely to include a plug-in hybrid powertrain known as super hybrid. This system comprises a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor powered by a 34kWh battery.
In the Tiggo 9, electric-only running is claimed to achieve 91 miles, with a total combined petrol and electric range of 650 miles. The Chery Tiggo 9 has a list price of £43,105, indicating that the Lepas L8 is expected to be similarly priced.
Future Plans and Market Context
Beyond the initial L8 model, Lepas has indicated that further products will follow, likely including the Lepas 4 and Lepas 6 models already available in other markets.
The Chery group reported total vehicle sales of 2,806,393 units in 2025, representing a 7.8 per cent year-on-year increase. Of these, new energy vehicle sales, including plug-in hybrid or all-electric models, accounted for 903,847 units, up 54.9 per cent year-on-year. Exports totalled 1,344,020 units, a 17.4 per cent increase that set a new export record for a Chinese manufacturer.
More information on the L8 and Lepas' broader UK plans is anticipated ahead of the vehicle's arrival in the third quarter of 2026.
