Inside Chery's "unique platform" claim for new Lepas brand

Chery's newest brand in Australia, Lepas, has launched with the bold claim that it'll bring 'unique' cars with bespoke designs and a more premium positioning, but there's one key point that it's particularly vocal about.

Launching in Australia with only one model, the mid-size L6 electric SUV, the brand proudly states that it's based on a vehicle platform "developed specifically for Lepas", known as LEXP.

That's despite the L6 being closely related to Chery-built vehicles sold overseas, primarily the Chery Fulwin T7, while also sharing similarities with the Australian-delivered Jaecoo J7 that was launched locally in early 2025.

“Lepas is blessed with being the first product family in the group to have its own unique platform, but it won’t be the only one forever," Chery Australia COO Lucas Harris told CarExpert at the Lepas brand's Australian launch event.

"As time goes on, those other brands will also develop more unique platforms, unique style and design."

Lepas is one of eight Chery-owned brands that either have been or will be launched in Australia in the coming years. And for now the Lepas L6 is the only model built on that LEXP architecture.

However, LEXP may not be an entirely unique platform. The L6 is closely related to the Chinese-market Chery Fulwin T7, which is understood to be built on the Chery Group's established T1X platform that also underpins models like the Australian-delivered Chery Tiggo 4, C5, E5, Tiggo 7, and Tiggo 8, as well as the Jaecoo J5 and J7.

The Lepas L6 and Chery Fulwin T7 share key dimensions, including length (4570mm), width (1852mm), and wheelbase (2700mm), while also offering the same 65kWh battery pack and nearly identical exterior designs.

Electric motor torque for the two SUVs is identical at 275Nm, though the Fulwin T7 offers 178kW of power over the L6's 160kW.

Both the T1X and LEXP platforms are also said to be capable of supporting plug-in hybrid and fully electric models.

In the case of T1X, Chery has previously stated that it (along with the brand's subsequent T2X and E0X platforms) was "designed to be adaptable and scalable for future models and features", so the L6's architecture could be an adapted version of the T1X platform.

Asked about the nature of the differences between the Chery Fulwin T7 and Lepas L6 under the skin, Mr Harris indicated to CarExpert that the two models were related but should not be confused.

"I don’t think you can confuse the domestic market brand determination inside China with what’s happening in the international market," he said.

"It’s not uncommon for brands to have models in one brand in their domestic market and then do something different internationally, but I don’t think that really changes the message at all."

Given that Lepas is effectively an export-only brand, LEXP is technically unique to the brand's cars in markets outside China. There are also clear aesthetic differences between the L6 and the related Jaecoo J7, and the Jaecoo's wheelbase is slightly shorter. Notably, the Jaecoo J7 was sold in China as a Chery, with Omoda Jaecoo – like Lepas – being an export-only brand.

Australian-delivered L6 EVs have some additional unique elements under the skin. Aside from minor chassis tweaks, Lepas proudly outlined the model's Australian-tuned safety gear, which Chery says was honed based on feedback from its previous SUVs.

The L6 EV is the first of several Lepas models to arrive in Australia before 2028, including a plug-in hybrid L6, and will be sold in standalone Lepas dealerships.

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