New premium Chinese SUV launching in South Africa very soon – What to expect

Chinese carmaker Lepas has announced that the upcoming L6 electric vehicle (EV) is now available to pre-order in South Africa.

A premium Chery sub-brand, Lepas launched in South Africa in April this year with its first car, the compact L4 crossover, which was followed by the L6 SUV in August.

Now, the company is preparing to introduce the L6 EV, which will be its first all-electric model in our market.

“Just as the leopard moves with precision, confidence and purpose, the Lepas L6 EV brings together sculpted design, intelligent technology and all-electric driving in a vehicle created for a new generation of discerning motorists,” said the automaker.

“From its striking exterior and thoughtfully crafted interior to its advanced electric powertrain and intelligent driver assistance systems, every element reflects Lepas’s commitment to making electric mobility an expression of personal style and modern sophistication.”

The company did not reveal the pricing for its latest SUV; however, it stated that customers who pre-order will enjoy a complimentary charging package valued at R34,053.07.

The charging package includes a 7kW AC home charger, standard installation, a Type-M charging cable, V2L capability, and a R5,000 charging card.

Once it arrives in South Africa, motorists can expect a battery-powered SUV that can travel 500km on a single charge, based on the NEDC cycle.

However, converting this to the WLTP standard, more commonly used in South Africa, gives it a range of around 425km to 450km. Charging the battery from 30% to 80% can be done in as little as 20 minutes using a DC fast charger.

The powertrain itself consists of a single front-mounted electric motor powered by a 67.08kWh battery, which generates 160kW and 275Nm.

Visually, the electric model differentiates itself from its siblings by replacing the grille with a closed-off body-coloured front end, similar to most EVs.

Some of the features confirmed for the L6 thus far include LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Sony premium sound system, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment screen with smartphone pairing, and a power tailgate.

It will also come with a voice assistant, automatic parking assist, a 540° HD surround-view camera system, 7 airbags, and 17 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) functions such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

Each purchase will include a 7-year/200,000km warranty, a 5-year/100,000km service plan, and an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.

Lepas L6 EV