Johannesburg, 5 December 2025 – Safety and elegance have found a perfect balance. At the 2025 Chery International User Summit on 20 October, LEPAS unveiled its first public safety test at the Chery Longshan Test Centre in Wuhu, inviting global media and dealers to witness the groundbreaking demonstration. The event highlighted that true automotive elegance is built on a foundation of uncompromising safety.
The LEPAS flagship model, the L8, is engineered with a robust safety system grounded in the principles of “All People, All Processes, All Scenarios, All Directions, and All Markets.” With 127 safety development standards and over 95% simulation accuracy through Computer Aided Engineering, the L8 exemplifies technical precision and innovation. These standards align seamlessly with South Africa’s National Road Safety Strategy, supporting the country’s goal of safer roads by 2030.
During the tests, the L8 demonstrated exceptional resilience. The Bottom Scraping Test confirmed the integrity of the chassis and battery pack, showing zero leakage, fire, or short circuit incidents. In the Fording Max 600mm Wading Obstacle Test, the vehicle navigated through 600mm-deep water flawlessly, proving its waterproof capability—an essential feature for South Africa’s variable coastal weather. The Rollover Test at 60km/h further highlighted the vehicle’s strength and stability under extreme conditions.
Safety extends beyond performance metrics. LEPAS incorporates a three-path front impact design and a “5-longitudinal, 3-lateral, 1-vertical” body structure layout, delivering multi-dimensional protection. Comprising 80% high-strength steel and aluminium, and equipped with 10 airbags, the L8 ensures comprehensive occupant safety while optimising wading and rollover capabilities for both local and global environments.
Built on Chery Group’s all-new intelligent platform, the L8 integrates advanced three-electric systems and a human-centred intelligent cockpit, providing stability, efficiency, and comfort. The recent safety test confirmed LEPAS’s technological excellence and reinforced its positioning as the “Preferred Brand for Elegant Mobility Life,” where safety and elegance coexist harmoniously.
South African motorists will soon have the chance to experience LEPAS’s full range, including the L4, L6, and L8 models. Scheduled for launch in the first and second quarters of 2026, these vehicles promise a new benchmark in automotive sophistication, combining intelligent design, cutting-edge technology, and effortless performance. With elegance at its core and safety as its foundation, LEPAS ensures that every journey is as secure as it is stylish.
Drive your Elegance, drive with confidence—LEPAS is ready for South Africa.
