The L6 EV is a variant of the recently introduced Lepas L6, a larger version of the L4 SUV that went on sale in conjunction with the brand's launch in the country earlier this year. I have not driven the L6 in any way, but I have spent time behind the wheel of the L4, and I can sum up the experience as familiar.
Having seen the L6 in the metal at the Cars.co.za office, and not driving it, means that the occasion was far different from the traditional launch events automotive media are accustomed to. It's for this reason that Letitia Herold, Lepas SA's head of brand and marketing, pointed out that the viewing is just to get a feel of the car before it goes on sale, and I assume to also gauge the opinion of some before it's commercially available.
I'll first quickly go over what I think about the L6 EV without mentioning any of its features. It's well-proportioned, but in a market flooded with new Chinese cars, it doesn't stand out. It is, however, still a sleek car. I also picked up that the LED lights are slimmer than those of its siblings in the lineup.
The interior is where I think Lepas can rightfully claim luxury to an extent, as the seats were plush and comfortable with more soft touches around the cabin compared to the L4. A two-tone interior with a soft brown is a nice look. The rest felt very Chery-like, the infotainment screen and digital display, for instance, which isn't a bad thing, just familiar. Overall, it held up well. My overall quick takeaway: the L6 EV looks great and has a nice interior.
There isn't much info about the L6 EV out just yet for the local scene, but Herold did briefly go over some of its features. On the safety and tech front, it gets vehicle-to-load capability, seven airbags, 20 ADAS features, and a 540-degree panoramic camera.
Comfort touches include an automatic tailgate, heated and ventilated seats, and an 8.88-inch and 13.2-inch screen setup. Powering it all is a 67.08kWh battery good for 450km of WLTC range, with 160kW of power and 275Nm of torque.
