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Chery launches new Lipas brand in Europe with the L8 SUV
Chery has quietly added another badge to its growing European lineup: Lipas. The new marque arrives with a flagship mid-size SUV, the Lipas L8, positioned to take on bestsellers like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Lipas — a name derived from the English words Leap, Leopard and Passion — is meant to signal dynamism, sporty design and emotional appeal.
Where and when
The Lipas L8 is slated to reach the UK market in the second half of 2026. With an aggressive price target reportedly below £30,000 at launch, Lipas hopes the L8 will unsettle rivals such as the MG HS and BYD C-line 06 in the competitive mid-size SUV segment.
Design language: inspired by a running leopard
Designers say the L8's strong, athletic contours take cues from a leopard in motion. The SUV rides on the Chery Tiggo 9 platform and retains a generous 2,800 mm wheelbase, but Lipas has opted for a five-seat layout rather than the Tiggo 9's seven-seat arrangement — a decision that prioritizes cabin space and passenger comfort over maximum seating capacity.
Visually the L8 distinguishes itself with narrower daytime running lights and a reworked front grille. The main LED headlights are subtly integrated into the bumper, an element the design team likens to a leopard's focused gaze. At the rear a continuous light bar and a bumper-mounted license plate give the L8 a modern silhouette that some observers compare to the BYD Atto 3.
Interior and tech highlights
Inside, a vertically oriented touchscreen dominates the central stack and flows into the centre console. Practicality is not overlooked: a row of physical buttons controls essential climate functions such as fan speed, temperature and seat heaters. Other notable cabin features include a large wireless charging pad and dual cupholders — small details aimed at daily usability.
- Vertical central touchscreen
- Physical climate controls for convenience
- Large wireless charging pad and modern storage
Powertrain and range: PHEV focus with real EV miles
Mechanically the Lipas L8 sticks with Chery's proven electrified architecture but takes a different battery route compared with the Tiggo 9. Instead of the Tiggo 9's 33.46 kWh pack, the L8 uses an 18.4 kWh battery shared with Tiggo 7 and 8 models. Despite the smaller battery, Lipas claims the L8 will deliver more than 80 km of pure electric driving and supports 40 kW DC fast charging — figures that should satisfy many urban and suburban drivers while keeping cost and weight down.
Market positioning and outlook
Lipas presents the L8 as a value-focused, well-equipped mid-size SUV that offers modern styling, a roomy interior and a usable plug-in electric range. With Chery already successful in Europe under previous badges like Jeko and Omoda, Lipas could gain traction quickly if pricing and aftersales support match expectations. The company also plans smaller siblings in the L4 and L6 range, aiming to build a full product family for different buyer needs.
"Lipas L8 wants to be a thinking alternative to the Sportage," industry analysts note. Whether consumers will embrace a new Chinese brand depends on real-world quality, driving experience and dealer presence — but early signs suggest Lipas is lining up a credible challenger in the crowded mid-size SUV market.
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