Chery Group’s Lepas has announced Australian pricing for its first local model, with the L6 electric SUV starting at $47,990 before on-road costs.
The L6 will offer a claimed 440 kilometres of range on the WLTP test cycle from a 65 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with dealer test drives available from early November.
It gives Australian buyers another electric SUV option below $50,000, as Chery expands its presence through its growing family of brands. The L6 is built on Chery’s LEXP platform and produces maximum outputs of 160 kW and 275 Nm. Acceleration figures were not included in the announcement.
Lepas quotes a 30 to 80 per cent battery recharge in 22 minutes using a 120 kW DC charger. It’s worth pointing out that that is a narrower charging window than the 10 to 80 per cent figure commonly used to compare electric vehicles. In their release, Lepas did not separately specify the vehicle’s maximum DC charging rate or its AC charging capability.
Standard equipment includes 19-inch machined alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof with a retractable sunshade, acoustic glass for the front doors and puddle lights.
Inside, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen is paired with an 8.88-inch digital instrument display. Both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, alongside an eight-speaker Sony sound system and a 50-watt wireless phone charger.
Lepas also lists automatic parking assistance and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, although we still don’t know exact details the individual functions.
Brad Ryan, head of Lepas Australia, said the launch would mark an important step in establishing the brand locally.
“The Lepas L6 BEV marks an important milestone for our brand as we introduce our distinctive approach to design, technology and electric mobility to Australian customers,” Ryan said.
“With a $47,990 MSRP, the L6 BEV will give customers a bold option to consider in the increasingly competitive electric SUV market.”
The L6 will come with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 200,000-kilometre battery warranty. Lepas also lists seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped-price servicing, although servicing prices are yet to be confirmed.
Premium paint will be offered at no additional charge for a limited introductory period. Colours include crimson purple, light speed orange, khaki white and bamboo grey, with carbon crystal black available by pre-order only.
While test drives are due to begin in early November, timing for first customer deliveries are still TBC.
| Specification | Lepas L6 BEV |
|---|---|
| Pricing and powertrain | |
| Australian MSRP | $47,990 before on-road costs |
| Powertrain | Battery electric |
| Maximum power | 160 kW |
| Maximum torque | 275 Nm |
| Battery type | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| Battery capacity | 65 kWh |
| Driving range | 440 km (WLTP) |
| DC charging time | 30–80% in 22 minutes using a 120 kW charger |
| Exterior | |
| Wheels | 19-inch machined alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with retractable sunshade |
| Acoustic glass | Front doors |
| Interior and technology | |
| Infotainment | 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen |
| Instrument display | 8.88-inch LCD |
| Smartphone connectivity | Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Audio | Eight-speaker Sony sound system |
| Wireless device charging | 50 W |
| Safety and ownership | |
| Driver assistance | Suite of advanced driver assistance systems |
| Parking assistance | Automatic parking assist |
| Vehicle warranty | Seven years, unlimited kilometres |
| Battery warranty | Eight years / 200,000 km |
| Roadside assistance | Seven years |
| Capped-price servicing | Seven years |
