Lepas will make its official UK debut at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed alongside BYD’s premium brand, Denza.
The Chinese automaker is owned by Chery, China’s third largest car manufacturer. Lepas’s first model for British buyers will be the L8 SUV – available as either a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
The L8 will compete directly with PHEV versions of the Renault Rafale, Kia Sportage, and Skoda Kodiaq.
Goodwood Showcase
Lepas will display the L8 at Goodwood’s First Glance Paddock throughout the festival, which runs from July 9-12.
Professional racing driver Sasha Brunton will pilot the L8 up Goodwood’s famous 1.16-mile hillclimb course. She’ll wear a specially commissioned leopard print race suit and helmet – a nod to the brand’s feline connection.
The Lepas name combines ‘leopard’ and ‘passion.’
“We couldn’t have picked a better or more exciting event at which to finally introduce the UK public to the Lepas brand and to showcase our first model, the L8 SUV,” said Roy Wang, Lepas UK managing director.
Wang described Goodwood as “an event of global significance in the automotive calendar and one of the highlights of the summer in Britain.”
Expansion Plans
The L8 represents just the starting point for Lepas in the UK market.
Two additional models are coming soon – the L6 C-SUV and L4 B-SUV. Both will offer plug-in hybrid or fully electric powertrains. An all-electric version of the L8 will follow.
“We also have dozens of showrooms opening nationwide in the next quarter, with around 100 dealers up and running by the end of 2027,” Wang added.
The company expects significant growth across the UK over the next two years.
Technical Specifications
Lepas engineered the L8 specifically for European markets. The SUV comes in two trim levels:
- Essence: £34,900
- Elevate: £37,900
The hybrid system pairs a 1.5-liter petrol engine with an 18.4kWh battery pack. The battery charges from 30-80% in 20 minutes and delivers 56 miles of electric-only range.
Combined range reaches 745 miles.
Lepas operates as a sister company to the Omoda and Jaecoo brands, which have gained traction in various global markets. The smaller L6 SUV will join the lineup by the end of this year, giving customers more options in the competitive SUV segment.
