Zakirin
Chery’s highly anticipated sub-brand, Lepas, is finally gearing up for its official Malaysian debut.
Initially slated for a launch in the first quarter of 2026, the brand has faced several delays. However, Lepas recently held its first public showcase in Malaysia, bringing four of its upcoming models to the Kuala Lumpur Polo Club over the weekend as part of its sponsorship of the Prime Minister Cup show jumping competition.
The preview event, aimed at gathering public feedback, confirmed that Lepas is now targeting a launch by the end of 2026. The brand plans to aggressively expand its footprint, aiming for 30 dealerships nationwide upon its official introduction.
Here is a closer look at the models showcased during the preview.
Lepas L4 EV: The Entry-Level Electric SUV
The most compact model on display was the Lepas L4 EV, an electric SUV that straddles the B- and C-segments.
- Dimensions: It measures 4,406 mm long, 1,820 mm wide, and 1,635 mm tall, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. This makes it larger than the Jaecoo J5 and roughly the same size as the Chery Omoda 5.
- Design: The electric variant ditches the regular L4’s “leopard eye” graphics in favor of a sleek, grille-less front end with a jutting nose, aggressive air intakes, and slim headlights featuring L-shaped daytime running lights. The preview unit sat on 18-inch wheels.
- Interior: Unlike some modern EVs, the L4 retains physical air-conditioning controls. It features a 50-watt Qi wireless charger and offers 452 liters of boot space, along with a front trunk (frunk).
- Performance: The L4 EV is powered by a single front motor producing 218 PS (160 kW) and 275 Nm of torque.
- Battery and Range: It utilizes a 65.05 kWh battery (nett capacity) that Lepas claims can deliver up to 500 km of range, likely based on the older NEDC testing cycle (estimated to be closer to 425 km WLTP). It supports DC fast charging, capable of a 10% to 80% charge in just 20 minutes.
Lepas L6: Petrol and Super Hybrid Options
Moving up the ladder is the Lepas L6, a C-segment SUV roughly the size of the Chery Tiggo 7. It was showcased in two variants: a standard petrol model and a plug-in hybrid known as the LSH (Lepas Super Hybrid).
- Design: The L6 refines the L4’s design language into a larger, cleaner, entirely body-colored look. Because both displayed models use combustion engines, they feature a front grille (detailed with radial chrome pins) and retain the brand’s “leopard eye” eyebrow-style DRLs, with the main headlamps pushed down into the bumper. Both models roll on 19-inch wheels, with the petrol variant sporting a turbine-style design and the LSH featuring multi-spokes.
- Interior: Inside, the L6 boasts a 13.2-inch touchscreen and full-color instrumentation. It features dual phone holders and an eight-speaker Sony sound system with ambient lighting integrated into the front door pods. Interestingly, boot space is slightly smaller than the L4 at 435 liters.
- LSH Powertrain: The L6 LSH utilizes a BYD-sourced 18.3 kWh LFP battery, providing a massive total combined range of 1,200 km. It claims a 0-100 km/h time of 8.7 seconds and supports 40 kW DC fast charging, 7 kW AC charging, and a 6.6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) function.
Lepas L8 LSH: The Premium Flagship
Sitting at the top of the range is the flagship Lepas L8 LSH.
- Size and Seating: Equivalent in size to the Chery Tiggo 8, the L8 measures 4,688 mm long, 1,871 mm wide, and 1,694 mm tall, with a generous 2,800 mm wheelbase. Unlike the Tiggo 8 sold in Malaysia, the L8 is strictly a five-seater.
- Powertrain: It shares the same plug-in hybrid (LSH) powertrain as the L6 LSH, delivering an identical combined range of 1,200 km and a pure electric range of 90 km (WLTP).
- Premium Interior: As the flagship, the L8 features the most luxurious interior of the trio. The preview unit showcased a plush black and brown color scheme with linear striped decor.
- Tech and Features: It retains the 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen but upgrades the instrument display to a larger 10.25-inch unit. Physical air-con controls return in this model, alongside a drive mode knob cleverly topped with a hazard light button. It also carries over the Sony sound system and boasts a cavernous 507-liter boot.
