Chinese Brand LEPAS Launches in the U.K. with the L8 First

As reported by Jim Starling on 6th February, Chery sub-brand LEPAS is launching their range of cars in the U.K., starting with the L8 which is now expected in Q3 of 2026.

You can read about the initial LEPAS announcement here.

LEPAS L8

What do we know about the LEPAS L8?

The LEPAS L8 is their flagship car from Chinese manufacturer Chery. Standing as it’s own brand, rather than a Chery model, the LEPAS L8 is a mid-sized SUV built on Chery’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) modular platform.

This suggests that the L8 will launch as a plug-in hybrid, or possibly even a full battery electric car as found with its sister brands Jaecoo and OMODA, both Chery sub-brands.

Those cars come with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor. The battery capacity is rated at 18.3kWh battery so it should provide a useful EV only range and a very decent combined range making for very efficient motoring.

What is LEPAS?

LEPAS combines “Leopard”, “Leap" and “Passion”, “PAS" to create LEPAS. They claim “the exterior [is] inspired by the agile contours of a running leopard, and LED headlights [are] designed to look like a leopard’s eye”.
You may need to stretch your imagination to see a Leopard in an SUV, although the LED headlights do have an alluring squint to them.

LEPAS L8 Interior

The interior shows a stark contrast to German brands’ tendency to fill dashboard real estate with screens. The L8 looks smart, uncluttered and with a few well-chosen buttons, although the piano black gloss on the centre console will be covered in finger prints and micro-scratches before too long.

LEPAS claims “the brand signals a long-term commitment to the market. Further product details, technology highlights, dealership network expansion, and future model plans will be revealed in due course as LEPAS builds momentum toward a new era of elegant mobility.”

Information on prices, specs an stats are likely be announced ahead of sale and we will bring more information on that when they do.

LEPAS aims to launch its L6 and L4 cars next as it plans to rollout it’s range to the U.K.

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About the Author

Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.

You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.