Chery details new Lepas platform ahead of launch

Chery has detailed the platform beneath its new Lepas brand and the first specification for the L6 EV that launches it, ahead of an Australian arrival in October. Lepas was confirmed for New Zealand earlier this year with the L6 as its opening model.

The intelligent LEX platform is a dedicated architecture developed for Lepas rather than borrowed from another Chery Group brand, designed to carry both battery electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains across a range of vehicle sizes. Chery says it combines an advanced electrical architecture with high-efficiency electric propulsion and chassis technology, and is built to take software and technology updates across the brand’s future models.

The L6 EV

The mid-size SUV runs a 65kWh lithium iron phosphate battery developed with Chery Group’s battery division, feeding a 160kW, 275Nm motor driving the front wheels. Claimed WLTP range is 440km at a rated consumption of 17.5kWh/100km, and DC charging takes the battery from 30 to 80% in around 22 minutes. Chery has not stated the peak charging rate.

Inside, an 8.88-inch driver display and 13.2-inch touchscreen run wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a “Hello Lepas” voice assistant, with an eight-speaker Sony sound system, 50W wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats in synthetic leather, a panoramic sunroof with powered shade, ambient lighting and a powered tailgate. Outside, 19-inch alloys and slim LED lighting that Lepas says is inspired by a leopard’s eyes.

Safety equipment runs to seven airbags, adaptive cruise, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure prevention, a 360-degree camera with centimetre-level distance display, and automatic and remote parking assist that will steer the car into reverse, parallel and perpendicular spaces.

“LEPAS has been developed around the concept of ‘Bold by nature’, bringing together sophisticated design and colours, intelligent technology and advanced electrification in a way that is relevant to the everyday needs of Australian customers,” says Lepas Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris.

The L6 makes its public debut at Everything Electric Sydney from 18 to 20 September, where EVs and Beyond will be on the floor, with Australian pricing to follow closer to the October launch. New Zealand timing and pricing have yet to be confirmed. Lepas is one of two new Chery Group brands headed this way, with iCaur confirmed for the second half of 2027.