Chery sub-brand's mammoth expansion plan

Lepas is hardly a household name, but that is all about to change.. The Chinese brand is the latest Chery sub-brand to arrive in Australia, joining Chery, Omodoa, Jaecoo and followed by Freelander, iCaur and Jetour.. Lepas is going to fish where the fish are..

It will soon be offering Australian customers electric and plug-in hybrid options in all the most popular SUV segments where 65 per cent of all new cars are sold.. Both electric and plug-in hybrid passenger car sales are skyrocketing, showing it is giving Aussies more of what they want.. The company will launch the Lepas L6 mid-size electric SUV this October, but then it will get very busy for the brand..

The L4 compact electric SUV will follow in December, with plug-in hybrid versions of the L6 and L4 landing in March and June, respectively.. Then the slightly larger L8 plug-in hybrid SUV will arrive towards the end of 2027, as well as the big L9 plug-in hybrid SUV.. Lepas isn't slowing down in 2028, with electric versions of the L8 and L9 due to arrive and a hybrid and electric version of the L2 small hatchback..

At its heart the L6 uses a 65kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a climate electric driving range of up to 440km.. The brand hasn't confirmed maximum charging rate, but Lepas claims it can refill the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in about 22 minutes, which puts its DC charging max speed at 80kW.. A single electric motor makes 160kW and 275Nm, which drives the front wheels..

Lepas won't conduct local suspension or handling tunes, instead it is relying on the European tune for Australia.. This will likely mean a more engaging, but firmer and bumpier ride.. It is packed with kit, including:.

Lepas SUVs will be packed with safety, and the company made a point of stating it had worked hard on its driver aids for them to work only when needed rather than sounding the alarm all the time.. The L4 shares the same underpinnings as the L6, but with a smaller body.. It is 4420mm long, 1817mm wide, 1629mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2700mm, which puts it firmly in the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona Electric category..

It will use the same battery and single electric motor set-up as the bigger L6, but range is boosted to 450km due to the reduced weight of the L4..