Completing the list of Auto China debuts for the Chery International group is Lepas, which showcased the L4 EV, L6 EV and L6 PHEV in Beijing this week. These new energy vehicle (NEV) variants expand the fledgling lineup from the existing petrol-powered L4, L6 and L8, providing customers with a range of powertrain options built on the parent company’s dedicated LEX “intelligent” new energy platform.
We’ve actually seen the L4 and L6 EVs before – the former at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) earlier this year, the latter at the recent Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS). Both feature grille-less EV-specific front ends with jutting noses, aggressive air intakes and slim headlights with L-shaped daytime running lights, ditching the petrol cars‘ “leopard eye” graphics.
Lepas has not released much in the way of details, but it has confirmed that the L4 EV will have a range of 500 km (likely on the NEDC cycle, so expect around 420 km of WLTP range). The rest of the powertrain should be shared with the Jaecoo J5 EV, including a single front motor making 211 PS (155 kW) and 288 Nm of torque, a 61.1 kWh LFP battery and up to 80 kW of DC fast charging support.
As for the L6 EV, initial specs reported by Thai portal Autoinfo include outputs of 242 PS (178 kW) and 275 Nm, a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds and a 67.08 kWh LFP battery delivering an NEDC range of 510 km (circa 430 km WLTP). Also included is up to 120 kW of DC fast charging – topping up the battery from 30 to 80% in 20 minutes – as well as up to 7 kW of AC charging.
Making its world premiere in Beijing is the L6 PHEV, utilising the newly-named Lepas Super Hybrid (LSH) system. This is almost certainly identical to the Super Hybrid System (SHS) used in the Jaecoo J7 PHEV and the Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) in the Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEV.
Such a combination includes 1.5 litre turbo four-cylinder, an electric motor and a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), producing a combined output of 275 PS and 365 Nm of torque. Lepas claims a pure EV range of 107 km and a total range of 1,200 km in the larger L8.
Aside from the dual ports for fuel and charging, the L6 PHEV is practically indistinguishable from the petrol version, with a large rectangular grille and split headlights with the aforementioned leopard-inspired DRLs. The car you see here – a prototype that was driven from Beijing to Wuhu for the Chery International Business Summit – wears handsome 19-inch turbine-style alloy wheels.
Inside, the L6 PHEV continues to feature a minimalist interior with the J7’s three-spoke steering wheel and a waterfall centre console housing a large portrait infotainment touchscreen. You also get “floating” Sony speakers on the doors that integrate the ambient lighting.
Lepas Malaysia has not confirmed if the NEV models will be offered on our shores, only saying that they are being considered for our market. If they do, expect them to arrive sometime after the ICE models are launched – those are slated to debut in the first half of the year, possibly at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) in June.
GALLERY: Lepas L4 EV
GALLERY: Lepas L6 EV
GALLERY: Lepas L6 PHEV
GALLERY: Lepas L4 EV official photos
GALLERY: Lepas L6 EV official photos
GALLERY: Lepas L6 PHEV official photos
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