LONDON: The Lepas L8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) premium D-segment SUV (sport utility vehicle) is set to launch the Chinese marque in the UK when it goes on sale in July.
Designed from the wheels up for Europe and enhanced for British roads, the L8 will be offered in two trim lines - Essence and the more refined Elevate.
Both variants are powered by the Lepas Super Hybrid ecosystem, featuring a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine mated to a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), electronic gear selector and a 18.4kWh battery which can be DC fast charged from 30% to 80% in as little as 20 minutes.
This powertrain can deliver a combined range of up to 745 miles (1,199km) and a pure electric range of up to 56 miles (90km).
A fully electric L8 will follow in 2027.
At the front, the L8's signature ‘Diamond Mesh’ grille evokes the texture and rhythm of a leopard's coat while the distinctive ‘Leopard’s Eye’ daytime running lights give the model a mesmerising and menacing stare.
The Essence trim rides on 19-inch wheels, while the Elevate trim has larger 20-inch wheels.
Both variants come with LED headlights (with Intelligent High Beam Assist) and LED rear lights, an acoustic laminated windscreen for noise reduction, electrically adjustable heated and power-folding wing mirrors and privacy glass on the rear windows and rear windscreen.
Elevate models also boast acoustic laminated front windows for extra soundproofing, alongside Active Engine Noise Cancellation for a super quiet cabin, as well as puddle lights built-in to the wing mirrors.
Built on Lepas’s own highly advanced LEX platform, the L8’s 2,800mm wheelbase has allowed the designers to create a truly cavernous interior.
In the back, with the front seats in a normal driving position, rear passengers can stretch out with just under a metre of rear legroom (970mm) for limo-like levels of comfort.
Standard features include panoramic sunroof with sunshade, dual-zone-climate control, keyless entry and go and remote engine start, which allows users to de-ice the car remotely while also pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin.
Elevate customers though will enjoy a significant tech upgrade with a hands-free power tailgate, heated windscreen and power-adjustable front seats with heating, cooling and massage functions.
The suite of protective ADAS technologies on both trims include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), emergency lane-keeping (ELK) and front distance monitoring (FDM) as well as driver assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and intelligent speed limit control (ISLC).
All L8 units have an arsenal of 10 airbags.
The Elevate does offer customers an upgrade on the Essence in a number of areas.
Front parking sensors are added in addition to a 540-degree panoramic camera system, advanced parking assist (APA) and a remote parking assist (RPA) which allows the vehicle to steer, brake, and shift gears into or out of a parking space while the driver stands outside.
Both Essence and Elevate customers get a 13.2-inch central waterfall touchscreen display, a connected navigation system, the ‘Hello LEPAS’ AI-powered voice assistant, 4G connectivity, wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 50W wireless phone charging with active cooling, and four USB ports front and back.
The Elevate receives just one upgrade in this area, swapping the standard six-speaker audio system for a superior Sony Premium eight-speaker audio system.
