LEPAS, a premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under the Chery Group, is gearing up for its expansion across Europe, targeting the Slovakian market by the first half of 2027. The company recently revealed its nature-inspired design philosophy, which marries aesthetic elegance with functionality. This marks a significant step for LEPAS as it aims to broaden its appeal across the European continent.
The brand’s design strategy is anchored on three core pillars: leopard aesthetic, elegant technology, and refined space. The leopard aesthetic draws inspiration from the grace and strength of the animal, with vehicle lighting, body contours, and sculpted surfaces reflecting these attributes. Known as “Natural Energy,” this approach utilizes landscapes and wildlife as key elements in crafting its automotive design language. LEPAS has also delved into color psychology to understand how hues can affect human emotions and perceptions, further informing its design choices.
To curate its unique exterior colors, LEPAS designers analyzed natural environments such as forests, deserts, and glaciers worldwide. Highlighted finishes include Norwegian Forest Green, Scottish Lawn Green, and Canadian Maple Red. Norwegian Forest Green is achieved through a multi-layer paint process that offers a matte, translucent finish, subtly shifting under various lighting conditions. Scottish Lawn Green, inspired by meadows, presents a softer, contemporary hue, while Canadian Maple Red combines gloss and saturation for a vibrant look.
Ivan Dulanović, Global Chief Designer for LEPAS, emphasized the brand’s commitment to maintaining a cohesive design identity while catering to regional preferences. He noted that natural references provide a universal design foundation, though interpretations of elegance may differ across markets. To address these differences, LEPAS incorporates customer feedback and conducts regional design research, especially from European consumers, ensuring its paintwork exudes understated luxury through organic textures and advanced engineering.
Interior comfort is another focal point for LEPAS, as demonstrated in the LEPAS L8 model. It features a 2,800mm wheelbase, soft-touch surfaces, a fabric-covered dashboard, and a color scheme inspired by glaciers. The cabin includes 60 acoustic measures and over 20 noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) improvements to minimize external noise. Additional features like an air quality sensor, air purification system, and 47 storage compartments enhance the driving experience, offering a serene and practical environment for urban travel.
Following its European debut at Milan Design Week earlier this year, LEPAS has entered markets in the UK, Italy, and Spain. Its 2027 expansion plans include the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Slovakia, and Sweden. As part of these efforts, the company is forging regional partnerships to meet varying customer expectations, adapt to different driving conditions, and embrace local electrification levels. Further details on launch dates, model availability, and regional sales and service arrangements will be announced later.
About LEPAS
LEPAS is Chery Auto’s premium New Energy Vehicle (NEV) brand, dedicated to creating elegant mobility experiences for users worldwide. Aiming to become the preferred brand for elegant mobile lifestyles, LEPAS combines leopard aesthetic, elegant technology and refined space – transforming elegance into a driving experience you can see, feel and trust. With a growing global network of over 500 sales and service outlets, LEPAS is expanding its international footprint through localized operations in individual markets, offering products and experiences tailored to users in markets around the world.
About Chery Auto
Chery Auto, founded in 1997, is a global automobile manufacturer focusing on vehicle development, intelligent technology and new energy solutions. The company operates in more than 130 countries and regions and relies on a strong international network of research, manufacturing and strategic partnerships. Chery Auto has been the number one passenger car exporter in China among Chinese brands for 23 consecutive years. In line with its global philosophy of “In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere”, Chery Auto strives to develop sustainable mobility through continuous innovation and global cooperation. Within the Chery Group, the iCAUR brand is also preparing to enter several European markets, further expanding its presence in the region.
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