Chery has introduced its Lepas brand in Spain with the L8, a 4.69-metre plug-in hybrid SUV. The model uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, two electric motors and an 18 kWh battery, producing a combined 279 hp. Its homologated electric range is 90 km, and DC fast charging is supported at up to 40 kW. The L8 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 180 km/h.
On the road, the powertrain is described as smooth and quiet, with no obvious changeover between electric and hybrid operation. The suspension prioritises comfort, and the rear seats offer particularly generous space. Luggage capacity is 507 litres when measured to the roof without the cargo cover. The less convincing aspect is the steering: it is judged insufficiently direct and communicative, and the car is not set up for sporty driving.
Two trim levels are offered. The Essence includes 19-inch wheels, Full LED lights, a 540-degree camera, wireless phone connectivity, a 13.2-inch central touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital instrument display. The Elegance adds 20-inch wheels, remote parking, a powered tailgate, panoramic roof and Sony audio. Spanish list prices start at €41,700 for the Essence and €45,200 for the Elegance; launch offers and financing can bring those figures down to €33,990 and €36,490 respectively.
Lepas plans to add the L4 and L6 to its range. The brand is drawing on Chery’s existing operations in Spain, including its parts warehouse and sales network: it already has more than 30 dealerships and aims to reach 50 by year-end. Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo brands have recorded more than 62,000 registrations in Spain since arriving in 2024, providing a local-market foundation for the new marque.