New SUV from China to rival likes of Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4; expected to arrive with plug-in hybrid power
The L8 SUV will be the first car sold in the UK by Lepas, the Chinese brand has today confirmed.
The Omoda and Jaecoo sibling (whose name is a portmanteau of ‘leopard’, ‘leap’ and ‘passion’) is owned by Chinese giant Chery and has been created with a focus on the European market.
The L8 is its flagship – a five-seat SUV that’s positioned as a premium alternative to the likes of the similar sized Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 but expected to be priced to undercut them.
While little from a technical point of view has been confirmed about the UK-bound L8, it will sit on the same modular T1X platform as its Omoda and Jaecoo sibling models.
In Indonesia, the L8 is sold exclusively with the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the UK-market Jaecoo 7, so it’s fair to expect the same to be offered here.
That combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and 18.3kWh battery for 56 miles of electric-only range and 204bhp.
An electric version of the L8 is expected to follow, given that its platform-mates are also offered in EV form.
Inside, the cabin is a minimalistic affair centred around a portrait-oriented 13.2in infotainment touchscreen. Below that, physical buttons for control climate functions flank an audio volume dial. A 10.2in digital instrument cluster and a wireless phone charger also feature.
Safety functions come in the form of “next-generation driving assistance”, said Lepas, without detailing further.
Full details of the UK-market L8 are due “in the coming weeks” before the car is launched here in the summer.
Autocar has previously reported that Lepas will also bring its L4 and L6 crossovers here. Those are expected to feature pure-ICE, PHEV and EV powertrains.
