The all-new IM L6 electric sedan. Credit: IM Motors
- The all-new L6 starts at a limited-time promotional price of 199,900 yuan ($29,480) and offers up to 850 km of CLTC range.
- The Jimmy Choo edition has begun its second sales round, with a starting price 10% above the regular entry-level version.
IM Motors, the electric vehicle (EV) brand of SAIC Motor (SSE: 600104), on Friday launched the all-new IM L6, overhauling its core sedan to challenge Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Xiaomi (HKEX: 1810).
The 3 regular variants have limited-time promotional prices ranging from 199,900 yuan ($29,480) to 259,900 yuan. The Max, Pro Max and Ultra are priced at 199,900 yuan, 217,900 yuan and 259,900 yuan, respectively.
The entry-level version is 20,000 yuan, or 9.1%, cheaper than its pre-sales promotional price announced on August 18. During pre-sales, the 3 regular variants were offered at promotional prices ranging from 219,900 yuan to 269,900 yuan.
The Prof. Jimmy Choo bespoke limited edition has also begun its second sales round. The first 1,000 slots sold out, and the 2 versions are priced at 219,900 yuan and 237,900 yuan.
Purchase incentives listed by IM Motors include a 10,000 yuan cash discount, upgrades worth 41,600 yuan and a lifetime battery warranty for the first non-commercial owner.
The all-new L6 measures 4,924 millimeters in length and has a wheelbase of 2,950 millimeters. It is available with either a single-motor rear-wheel-drive system or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.
The Max and Pro Max have motors producing 245 kW and 300 kW, respectively, paired with 76 kWh and 93 kWh battery packs. The 2 variants offer CLTC ranges of 725 kilometers and 850 kilometers, respectively.
The all-wheel-drive Ultra produces a combined 500 kW and 800 Nm of peak torque, accelerating from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 2.74 seconds. Its 103 kWh battery pack delivers a CLTC range of 840 kilometers.
The entire lineup uses an 800-volt NEO electric architecture and supports a peak charging power of 396 kW. IM Motors said the vehicle can add as much as 580 kilometers of range in 15 minutes.
The new L6 also comes standard with a fully by-wire chassis, including Continental’s MK C2 brake-by-wire system and by-wire four-wheel steering. The rear wheels can turn as much as 18 degrees in either direction, giving the vehicle a minimum turning radius of 4.39 meters.
The driver-assistance system was jointly developed by IM Motors and Momenta (HKEX: 6880). It uses Momenta’s world model and supports NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) without relying on high-definition maps.
The cabin features a 26.3-inch central display and a 15.5-inch front-passenger entertainment screen, along with a B&O audio system and a 5.7-liter heating and cooling refrigerator as standard.
The co-branded edition is differentiated mainly through exclusive exterior colors, a blue interior and embroidered branding.
The all-new L6 targets China’s pure-electric sedan segment priced from 200,000 yuan to 300,000 yuan, competing with models including the Tesla Model 3, Xiaomi SU7 and Xpeng P7.
The combination of a lower entry price and a co-branded limited edition shows that IM Motors is trying to appeal to buyers through both value for money and design differentiation.
The LS8, starting at 249,800 yuan ($36,600), secured 8,000 firm orders within 60 minutes.
($1 = 6.7811 yuan)
