Lecar, a Brazilian startup often referred to as the “Brazilian Tesla” for its initial focus on electric vehicles, has recently shifted gears by announcing a hybrid flex sedan, the Lecar 459 Hybrid. The company is charging R$ 1,300($240) to reserve the car, with the final price set at R$ 147,900($27,389), labeled as a “promotional offer.” Production is slated to begin in August 2026, with customers able to secure their spot on the waiting list via Lecar’s website.
The Lecar 459 Hybrid promises an impressive range of 1,000 kilometers on a full battery and tank of fuel. The hybrid system includes a 10-year warranty for the electrical components and a 3-year general warranty for the vehicle. Interested buyers are guided through a reservation process that requires personal information and credit card payment under the tagline “Proud to be Brazilian.”
Engine and Performance Details
Lecar will utilize Renault’s 1.0 turbo flex engine from the Kardian, in partnership with the Chinese automaker Geely through a joint venture named Horse. The Lecar 459 Hybrid is classified as an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV), meaning its combustion engine doesn’t drive the wheels but generates electricity to power the electric motor.
While the Renault Kardian’s engine delivers 122 hp and 22.4 kgfm of torque, the Lecar 459 Hybrid’s performance will be slightly lower at 115 hp and 20.5 kgfm of torque. The vehicle also integrates an electric generator from the Brazilian company WEG, bringing the total output to 163 hp.
Design and Prototype Sightings
Early renderings of the Lecar 459 Hybrid show a sedan resembling models from Tesla and BYD. However, prototypes spotted in Barueri, São Paulo, sport a simpler design reminiscent of cars from the late 1990s. Notably, the vehicle has been compared to the Tata Nano, with a “smiling” front grille and distinct headlight design. The rear end of the car echoes models like the Ford Fiesta Sedan and Renault Symbol.
A New Approach to Electric Vehicles
Flávio Figueiredo Assis, the CEO of Lecar and often dubbed the “Brazilian Elon Musk”(Which I hope he isn’t, one small brain arrogant billionaire already is one too many) explained that the company’s pivot from full electric vehicles to hybrids was a strategic decision based on the limited infrastructure for electric cars in Brazil. Assis has stated that building a network of charging stations is currently unfeasible, prompting the shift to a hybrid model capable of running 1,000 kilometers on just 30 liters of ethanol.
Lecar’s move into the hybrid market reflects both the potential and challenges of the Brazilian automotive industry as it grapples with the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
