L8 will formally debut locally before the end of the year.
L8 has arrived in the UK as Lepas’ new flagship. Sales in South Africa will commence before year-end. Picture: Lepas UK
Soon to arrive in South Africa as its flagship product, Lepas has provided an indirect preview of what the local market can expect by announcing pricing for the L8 in the United Kingdom.
First shown at the Shanghai Motor Show in April last year, the rebadged sibling of the Chery Tiggo 8 will only have five-seats as in China where it is called the Chery Tiggo 8 Leopard.
Hybrid only
Publicly shown at Chery’s International User Summit in Wuhu in October last year, the L8 will have a choice of two trim levels in the UK, Essence and Elevate, and a single powertrain option.
While the corresponding Tiggo 8 Leopard has either a 1.6 T-GDI or 2.0 T-GDI, in the UK, Lepas has opted for the plug-in hybrid option shown at this year’s User Summit.
Known or LSH or Lepas Super Hybrid system, the setup combines an 18.4-kWh battery pack powering a single electric motor with Chery’s familiar 1.5 T-GDI engine.
Producing 205kW/365Nm, the L8 LSH has a claimed electric-only range of 90 km, and according to Lepas, will do 1 200 km on the combined combustion and electric powerplant cycle.
A Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) is entrusted with sending the amount of twist to the front axle. Lepas UK claims a charging time of 20 minutes from 30-80% using a DC fast charger.
Spec
In terms of spec, the Essence has the following as standard:
- 19-inch alloy wheels;
- electrically folding, heated mirrors;
- LED headlights;
- dual-zone climate control;
- fabric and imitation leather upholstery;
- push-button start;
- keyless start;
- panoramic sunroof;
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster;
- six-speaker sound system;
- wireless smartphone charging pad;
- type-A and type-C USB ports;
- 13.2-inch infotainment display;
- wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto;
- Remote Engine Start
Safety and added driver assistance is provided by:
- 10 airbags;
- tyre pressure monitoring;
- rear parking sensors;
- reverse camera;
- Adaptive Cruise Control;
- Automatic Emergency Braking;
- Lane Departure Warning;
- Lane Change Assist;
- Door Open Warning Alert;
- Auto High Beam Assist;
- Lane Departure Prevention;
- Blind Spot Detection;
- Lead Vehicle Alert;
- Traffic Jam Assist;
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert;
- Reverse Automatic Braking;
- Rear Collision Warning
Moving up to the Elevate brings 20-inch wheels, puddle lamps, black imitation leather upholstery and electric front seats.
Also included are:
- pop-out passenger’s side table;
- ambient lighting;
- electric tailgate;
- fragrance dispenser;
- electric lumbar support for the driver’s seat;
- ventilated, heated and massaging front seat;
- eight-speaker Sony sound system;
- 540-degree camera system;
- Remote Park Assist
Pricing outlook
In the UK pricing starts at £34 900 for the Essence and at £37 900 for the Elevate, which amounts to R759 912 and R825 234 respectively when directly converted and without taxes.
Locally, Lepas South Africa is yet to confirm pricing, however, expect this only later as the brand switches its attention to first launching the L6.
