Key highlights
- Lepas Aura Concept previews the brand’s sportier second-generation design language.
- The shooting brake features digital displays and leopard-inspired styling.
- The concept hints at future Lepas models, including the L2 hatchback.
Chery-owned Lepas has revealed the Aura Concept, a three-door shooting brake that previews a sportier design direction for the emerging Chinese automotive brand.
Unveiled at the inaugural Lepas Global Elegant Lifestyle Week in Wuhu, China, the concept introduces a second-generation design language that moves away from the more conventional styling of the brand’s current SUVs.
The Aura features a long wheelbase, short overhangs, a wide stance and pronounced rear haunches, giving it a more athletic appearance. Its sleek shooting brake body also marks a departure from the SUV-focused range Lepas has introduced so far.
Although the concept is unlikely to enter production in its current form, it offers an indication of how future Lepas models could look.
Read more: Lepas plans new electric SUVs and Corolla rival for Australia
Lepas Aura Concept introduces a new design language
The most noticeable change is at the front, where the Aura adopts a new fascia with a large black surface integrating the grille and side air intakes.
This gives the concept a more aggressive appearance than existing Lepas models, while its headlights continue the brand’s leopard-inspired design theme.
The concept also introduces what Lepas calls a ‘digital canvas’ integrated into the front fascia. It allows owners to personalise the vehicle with graphics, lighting effects and animations.
A similar approach is used at the rear, where an elliptical display creates opportunities for customised tail-light signatures.
Lepas says these features could allow owners to influence the appearance of their vehicles rather than relying solely on traditional paint and trim choices.
Leopard-inspired styling and new paint colours
The Aura Concept continues Lepas’s focus on the leopard as its central design inspiration. The brand’s name itself combines the words ‘leopard’ and ‘passion’.
According to Lepas chief designer Ivan Dulanovic, the concept’s proportions draw inspiration from the movement and stance of a running leopard.
“The Aura’s stance follows the running leopard; it is lean, forward and efficient,” Dulanovic said at the event.
The concept also features porcelain-inspired surfacing, with its exterior design intended to combine flowing lines and more pronounced bodywork.
Three new exterior colours make their debut on the concept: Dawn Pearl, inspired by a Tahitian sunrise; Bacalar Blue, drawing inspiration from Mexico’s Bacalar Lagoon; and Provence Twilight, based on lavender fields at dusk.
Future Lepas models could adopt sportier styling
Lepas has also offered a preview of its upcoming L2 hatchback, which is expected to arrive in 2028. The small car reportedly demonstrates the more athletic design direction the brand wants to establish across its future line-up.
The concept is part of Lepas’s broader effort to develop a distinct identity within Chery’s expanding portfolio of automotive brands.
By the end of 2027, Chery plans to have eight brands in Australia, including Chery, Omoda Jaecoo, Lepas, Exlantix, Freelander, iCaur, Jetour and Luxeed.
Chery Motor Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris said the brands would increasingly move away from one another in terms of exterior design to avoid looking too similar.
Lepas is also establishing a separate dealer network in Australia, although it will continue to use Chery’s existing infrastructure for areas such as parts distribution and finance.
There is no confirmation that the Aura Concept will enter production or be introduced in Australia. However, its design offers an early look at how Lepas intends to differentiate its future vehicles from other brands under the Chery umbrella.
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