New Chinese brand to rival Kia, Volvo and BMW models in UK

Lepas is gearing up to introduce three brand-new SUVs to the UK market over the coming 12 months. Lepas is a newly established brand owned by Chinese automotive giant Chery Automotive. It sits within Chery's 'export strategy' programme, which creates new marques specifically tailored for European markets. Brands such as Jaecoo and Omoda have already made their mark under this umbrella. The first model to land, arriving in the third quarter of this year, is Lepas' flagship, the L8. It will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, pairing a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 18kWh battery pack to deliver a claimed electric range of up to 55 miles. Next up will be the L6 mid-size SUV, going head-to-head with the Kia Sportage. It will be offered with petrol, hybrid and electric options. Lepas has yet to disclose details on the petrol model's powertrain, but the hybrid will feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit paired with an electric motor, while the EV will utilise a 67kWh battery pack and an electric motor, providing a claimed range of up to 270 miles. Rounding off the range will be the smallest model in the Lepas line-up, the L4. This compact crossover will take on the Volvo EX30 and BMW iX1 when it arrives in showrooms next year. Powertrain specifics remain scarce at this stage, though Lepas has confirmed it will be offered with an electric drivetrain. More information about Lepas' SUV line-up is expected to be unveiled later this year, with orders anticipated to open shortly after.