Meet the Lecar 459 Hybrid: A Tesla Rival from Brazil With A 1,000 KM Range

The car you’re seeing it’s actually a new creation straight out of Brazil. Meet the Lecar 459 Hybrid, a compact crossover designed with a range-extender setup. Slated for production in 2026 and priced at R$147,900 (around $26,900), it’s aiming to shake up the market with its blend of affordability and modern tech.

Lecar is a fresh name in the Brazilian auto industry, and the 459 Hybrid is just the beginning of their plan to roll out smart, affordable EVs for the local market. The official renderings of this model offer a sneak peek of what’s in store. When it comes to design, the Lecar 459 Hybrid has a sleek profile that draws some comparisons to Tesla’s offerings, though it’s smaller in size.

The vehicle measures 4,350 mm (171.3 inches) long with a 2,700 mm (106.3 inches) wheelbase, making it more compact than the Model Y. Despite its EREV powertrain and monocoque body, it tips the scales at a relatively light 1,396 kg (3,078 pounds). Lecar hasn’t yet revealed the interior, but they’ve promised a five-seater layout with 530 liters (18.7 cubic feet) of cargo space. It’s also going to feature advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) with the goal of achieving Level 2 autonomous driving.

Under the hood, the Lecar 459 Hybrid is all about efficiency rather than raw speed. It’s powered by a 163 hp (121 kW / 165 PS) electric motor that drives the rear wheels, while a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine acts as a generator for the 18.4 kWh battery. The engine is sourced from Horse, a joint venture between Renault and Geely, and it typically produces 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS) and 200 Nm (147.5 lb-ft) of torque. However, Lecar claims their version delivers 121 hp (90 kW / 122 PS) and 220 Nm (162.3 lb-ft).

Although it manages a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 10.9 seconds, its performance is not its primary selling point. Its standout feature is a total range of 1,000 km (621 miles) on a full tank of gas, allowing you to skip charging if needed. That said, it can also run up to 100 km (62 miles) on electric power alone. Lecar has big plans for production, with a factory set to be built in Espírito Santo, Brazil. Lecar has scheduled the commencement of construction later this year, and anticipates the facility to operate by August 2026.

Horse plans to supply 12,000 engines for the Lecar 459 Hybrid, and the factory can produce 120,000 cars annually. In fact, the first prototype is already in testing. For Brazilian buyers, those interested in securing the Lecar 459 Hybrid at its promotional price of R$147,900 ($26,900) can get on the waiting list with a down payment of R$1,300 ($236). For now, there’s no word on whether Lecar will expand sales of the 459 Hybrid beyond Brazil, so we’ll have to wait and see if this new EV reaches international markets.