The Lepas L8 hits Spain with 279 horsepower, 90 km of electric range, and a starting price under 34,000 euros. Chery Auto is betting on sharp design and tech to stand out in a market already full of Chinese brands.
The Lepas L8 is here. It’s a plug-in hybrid SUV with 279 horsepower and a starting price of 33,990 euros. But this isn’t just another new model on Spanish roads. Chery Auto is using Lepas to see if it can build a brand that stands out, not just show up. Spanish buyers already know Chinese carmakers. The real fight now is about getting noticed.
Chery Auto has already put Omoda, Jaecoo, and Ebro on the map in Spain. Lepas is its next move. The L8 Super Hybrid is the first test. Can Lepas show it’s more than just a new badge on an old formula?
Lepas has already rolled out a network of 52 sales points across Spain, signaling a full-scale market entry rather than a one-off import.
Identity in a saturated market
The L8’s launch is no accident. Lepas isn’t trying to be the cheap option. It wants to go up against mainstream electrified SUVs by mixing sharp design, tech, and features that feel a step above. The “Leopard Aesthetics” design, shaped after a leopard’s outline, gives the L8 a clear look. There’s a geometric grille, bold LED lights, and a wide rear light bar. The plan is simple: use Chery’s production power, but give buyers something they can spot as Lepas, not just another Chery.
The L8 is 4.69 meters long, right in the mid-to-large family SUV class. Inside, it’s built for daily use. There’s 507 liters of boot space, or 1,314 liters with the seats down. The cabin is flexible, with lots of storage. Tech is front and center: a 10.25-inch digital dash, a 13.2-inch vertical touchscreen, and a Snapdragon 8155 chip running the HMI 5.0 system. Lepas says it wants tech that fits in, not tech that takes over. Acoustic comfort and air quality systems are part of the package, aiming for a quieter, smoother ride.
According to leading Spanish automotive media, the L8 was developed with a clear focus on European tastes and is positioned to compete directly with established models like the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan. This European orientation is a key part of Lepas's strategy to differentiate itself from other Chinese brands.
Hybrid power and European tuning
The L8 runs a 1.5 TGDI petrol engine with two electric motors and an 18.4 kWh LFP battery. That setup gives 279 CV, 365 Nm of torque, and a 1DHT transmission that can switch between serial, parallel, and pure electric modes. The official electric range is 90 kilometers WLTP, and up to 123 km in city driving, according to Lepas. Total range is 1,040 kilometers. It does 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and tops out at 180 km/h. Fuel use is 2.2 l/100 km combined, or 6.0 l/100 km with the battery empty.
But numbers only tell part of the story. The L8 uses the LEXP platform, with multi-link rear suspension and a low center of gravity. Lepas has tuned the chassis and suspension for European roads and tastes. Many Chinese brands skip this step. Lepas wants the L8 to feel right for local drivers, not just like a generic global SUV.
Safety and tech as selling points
Safety is a big part of the L8’s pitch. The SUV has a high-strength frame, 10 airbags, and more than 20 advanced driver aids. There’s parking assist, a 540-degree panoramic camera, and both automatic and remote parking. These features are meant to make city driving less stressful. Lepas is counting on a strong tech package to beat European and Japanese rivals at the same price. The real question is whether these systems will be as reliable and easy to use as Spanish drivers expect.
Beyond the L8
Lepas isn’t stopping with one model. The brand has announced two all-electric SUVs—the L6 EV and L4 EV—coming to Spain by late 2026, with deliveries in early 2027. The L6 EV will have 217 CV, a 65 kWh LFP battery, and up to 450 kilometers of WLTP range. The smaller L4 EV will offer 218 CV and the same range. Both will use the Leopard Aesthetics design and LEXP platform. Lepas wants to show it’s in Spain for the long haul. For more on the L4 EV’s focus on space and range, recent coverage has already taken a closer look.
The real test begins
The L8 arrives at a time when “more car for the money” isn’t enough. Omoda and Jaecoo have already opened the door for Chinese brands, and now the market is packed with electrified SUVs. Lepas has to give buyers a clear reason to pick its badge. Chery Auto has shown it can build and sell cars in Spain. Now it has to build a brand people remember—and come back to. The L8 is just the start. Its success or failure will shape what comes next. In a market where standing out is everything, Lepas is betting on design, tech, and a European driving feel to win over buyers who have plenty of choices. The next year will show if that gamble pays off or if Lepas fades into the background of Spain’s SUV boom.
