From Leopard design to lifestyle luxury: LEPAS prepares its UAE debut

Image credit: Supplied It doesn’t take long to get a read on a car. Some vehicles project a quiet confidence from the first glance, while others feel unmistakably modern the moment you step inside. The most successful models tend to carry an added sense of personality, revealed through small details that shape how a vehicle fits into everyday life. On UAE roads, that balance matters as much as raw specifications. Daily driving can move quickly from a morning commute to a spontaneous coffee stop and on to an after-work visit to the nearest Carrefour. A car that feels comfortable and intuitive throughout those transitions becomes part of the routine rather than a distraction from it. That is the positioning behind Lepas, Chery Group’s new global new-energy brand. Framed around the idea of “Drive Your Elegance,” Lepas is aimed at buyers who value comfort, refinement, and design-led usability as much as performance numbers. Much of the development focus has been placed on the cabin and how it supports the driver and passengers across everyday journeys. A brand built around three core ideas The Lepas name is anchored in three concepts that the brand consistently references as the foundation of its identity and design approach. “Leopard” represents harmony between speed, power, and elegance, forming the basis of what Lepas describes as its nature-inspired “leopard aesthetics.” The philosophy emphasises control and precision in motion, with exterior and interior forms shaped to reflect biomechanical efficiency. Through advanced, platform-based technologies, the brand aims to deliver a driving experience that feels dynamic and responsive while remaining refined. “Leap” speaks to global ambition and a decisive move toward a future where mobility feels seamless across markets. It reflects the intent to cross geographical and cultural boundaries, offering an experience designed to translate well from one region to another. In LEPAS terms, it represents both the courage to innovate and the capability to deliver technology-driven mobility with worldwide reach. “Passion” centers on the driver. It acknowledges that vehicle choices are guided as much by taste as by logic, and that the daily relationship between car and owner matters. Within the Lepas framing, the vehicle becomes a partner in a vibrant lifestyle, aligned with drivers who value individuality and refuse to settle for the mundane. Those three ideas converge most clearly in what Lepas calls an “exquisite space.” The phrase reflects a cabin designed to feel intentional from the moment occupants step inside, with an emphasis on comfort and practicality rather than idealised driving scenarios. The result is a more lifestyle-led interpretation of premium, supported by nearly three decades of engineering scale from Chery Group. Interior features underline that approach, including a full LCD instrument panel, a large central touchscreen, and connectivity options such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Comfort and convenience elements range from power-adjustable seating and wireless charging to a panoramic sunroof, air purification, and rear-seat amenities such as folding tray tables and reading lamps. Performance, range, and safety focus Under the hood, Lepas models are built around the Chery Super Hybrid System, combining a 1.5 litre turbo engine with dual electric motors. The setup delivers a combined output of around 315 horsepower, supported by an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. Electric driving range is rated at approximately 95 to 100 kilometres, while total range exceeds 1,300 kilometres when combining battery and fuel. Performance figures include a claimed 0–100 km/hr time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h, with support for DC fast charging. The drivetrain features dual-motor all-wheel drive, aligning with the brand’s emphasis on control and responsiveness. Safety and driver assistance systems are positioned as a core part of the offering. Features include up to eight airbags, comprehensive braking and stability systems, and a wide suite of advanced driver assistance technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, and a 360-degree camera system. With Al Ghurair Mobility confirmed as its regional partner, LEPAS is expected to launch in the Middle East in the first half of 2026, with the UAE identified as one of its key markets. The move marks the next step in Chery Group’s global expansion strategy, bringing a design-driven, comfort-focused interpretation of new-energy mobility to a region where daily usability and premium feel carry increasing weight in purchase decisions.
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