The word is out. LEPAS is officially going global, bringing the L8 flagship to the UK and Australia in 2026. If you are getting a sense of déjà vu with these new Chinese arrivals, this is the fourth child of the Chery International powerhouse, joining Omoda, Jaecoo, and the main Chery brand in a rapid-fire expansion across both hemispheres.
The name is a bit of a word salad—combining Leopard, Leap, and Passion—which sounds like a motivational poster in a tech startup but actually translates to some surprisingly sharp metal. The brand is pitching itself as the refined choice for the creative and culturally progressive. Translation? They want the buyers who find mainstream options a bit too predictable and corporate.
Designing with the eye of the leopard
The L8 isn’t just another slab-sided SUV. The design team clearly spent some time at the zoo, because the exterior takes its cues from the muscular lines of a running leopard. The LED headlights are even styled to mimic a predator’s eye. It is a bold look that manages to avoid being over-the-top, aiming for an aesthetic integrity that sets it apart from more utilitarian crossovers.
Inside, the intelligent cabin is designed to be a third-space. We are talking next-generation driving assistance and a layout engineered to hit global five-star safety standards. It sits on Chery’s fresh New Energy Vehicle (NEV) modular platform, which means it is built from the ground up to handle electrons and petrol with equal finesse.
The many faces of the L8
While Chery tries to pitch LEPAS as a lifestyle brand for “non-SUV people,” the reality is a bit more industrial. The L8 is essentially the designer label version of the second-generation Chery Tiggo 8. Depending on where you wander into a showroom globally, you might find this same mechanical DNA wearing a different mask.
In China and other markets, it is the core Tiggo 8 Plus. In Russia, it is the Xcite X-Cross 8, and in Spain, it wears the Ebro S800 badge. It even serves as the Chery Fulwin T8L for the dedicated New Energy sub-brand in the domestic Chinese market. It is a masterclass in global platform sharing—take the proven T1X platform, swap the utilitarian look for the “Leopard Aesthetic,” and add some vibrant interior colours.
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Timing the global arrival
The rollout is strategically staggered. The LEPAS L8 will hit Australian roads first in mid-2026, followed by the UK model launch in Q3 2026. Local leadership in both regions is pitching the brand as a “youth-focused” alternative that prioritises personality over the “responsible-but-boring” formula that dominates the segment.
In Australia, the L8 is expected to lead a three-pronged assault, followed by the smaller L6 and L4 models. Positioned as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), it is likely to land around the $50,000 mark, slotting between the standard Chery range and the more “premium” Omoda/Jaecoo offerings.
Performance and the Super Hybrid system
The L8 is set to use the Chery Super Hybrid powertrain. We are looking at a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a punchy electric motor and an 18.3kWh battery. It is engineered to balance performance with a smooth, comfortable driving experience, specifically tuned for those seeking an elevated everyday experience.
By using a globally intelligent architecture, LEPAS is ensuring the L8 isn’t just a pretty face. It integrates advanced in-cabin features and comprehensive driver assistance systems that are becoming the baseline for entry into competitive international markets. With a five-seat layout that promises to be generously proportioned, it is aiming squarely at those who value craftsmanship and expressive identity.
The Chery empire strikes back
LEPAS isn’t some plucky underdog starting from a garage. It is backed by the Chery Holding Group, which is currently moving up the Fortune Global 500 faster than a leopard after a gazelle. In 2025, they surged 152 places to rank 233rd. They shifted over 2.8 million vehicles last year alone. Their NEV sales jumped nearly 55%, proving that they know exactly how to build what the market wants right now.
The global strategy is clear. They aren’t just shipping cars; they’re building a proper infrastructure. Full launch details, including senior leadership, route to market, and aftermarket support for both the UK and Australia, will be announced in the coming weeks.
What happens next?
The LEPAS L8 launch marks the start of what the brand calls “elegant mobility.” While the L8 is the flagship, do not expect it to be a lonely child for long. Rumours of the smaller L4 and L6 are already swirling, suggesting a full-scale assault on the mid-size SUV market.
If LEPAS can deliver on the promise of aesthetic integrity without the usual corporate baggage, they might just find a very loyal audience among those of us tired of the same old badges.
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