Durban, South Africa – The first batch of the all-new L4 model has arrived in South Africa ahead of the official launch of the Lepas brand next month, marking the entry of another Chinese automotive player into the regional market.
Lepas, positioned above Chery but seemingly below Omoda, will operate with its own dealer network separate from its parent company. The brand becomes the third subdivision of Chery to enter the South African market after Omoda & Jaecoo and Jetour.
Operations are set to commence next month, with images released showing the first shipment of L4 units touching down on local soil. An initial consignment of 500 vehicles has docked and will be distributed to 33 Lepas dealerships across South Africa.
For motorists in Eswatini, where brands such as Chery and Omoda have steadily gained ground through local dealerships, the arrival of Lepas in the neighbouring market could signal a possible expansion into the Kingdom in the near future, especially given the close trade links and vehicle import flows between Mbabane and South Africa.
The L4 will lead the brand’s line up, followed by the L6 and eventually the L8. The trio was unveiled on the sidelines of the Shanghai Auto Show last year. All three models are built on existing Chery engines and platforms but feature distinct exterior styling and interior finishes.
According to specifications released ahead of the launch, the L4 rides on what Lepas calls its LEX platform. It measures 4 400 mm in overall length and has a wheelbase of 2 700 mm. While the platform is capable of supporting electrified options such as self charging and plug in hybrid systems, the initial South African models will be powered solely by the familiar 1.5 T GDI petrol engine.
The engine, already used in the Tiggo 4, Tiggo Cross, Tiggo 7 and Omoda C5, produces 115 kW of power. For the L4, torque has been increased by five Newton metres to 235 Nm. The expected transmission option is a seven speed dual clutch.
As with Omoda and Jetour, and the soon to be introduced iCaur, Lepas will operate independently from Chery with its own dealer footprint and brand identity.
“Seeing the first L4s driven off the vessel and onto our roads made everything feel real. We are bringing something truly special to South African drivers,” Lepas South Africa General Manager, Jay Jay Botes, said in a statement.
Further details about the L4, as well as the upcoming L6 and L8, are expected to be announced next month during Lepas’ official market premiere in South Africa.
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