IM Motors LS6 Launches With 800V, By-Wire Chassis Tech

Next-Generation LS6 Enters China’s Competitive Electric SUV Market

IM Motors, the electric vehicle brand of SAIC Motor, has launched the next-generation IM Motors LS6 as a three-variant all-electric family SUV positioned around the 200,000-yuan price range in China. Prices after incentives range from 197,900 yuan to 259,900 yuan, compared with official guide prices of 202,900 yuan to 264,900 yuan. The Max starts at 197,900 yuan, the Pro Max at 217,900 yuan, and the Ultra at 259,900 yuan. These prices are below the pre-sales figures announced on September 10, while the starting price after incentives matches the previous-generation all-electric LS6 that went on sale in September 2025.

Pricing and Pre-Sales Benefits

Customers who placed orders during the pre-sales period can receive an additional 3,000-yuan cash discount. The company previously reported more than 8,000 pre-orders within 45 minutes after pre-sales opened, indicating substantial initial customer interest before the official launch. The new vehicle therefore enters the market with pricing positioned directly within one of China’s most competitive family SUV segments. The combination of incentive pricing, an additional pre-order benefit, and a starting price aligned with the previous generation gives buyers a clear pricing reference while the new model introduces substantially updated chassis, charging, driver-assistance, and cabin technologies.

By-Wire Chassis Technology Defines the New SUV

The vehicle measures 4,937 mm in length, 1,988 mm in width, and 1,671 mm in height, with a 2,960-mm wheelbase. Its chassis technology is a central part of the product positioning, with every variant equipped with steer-by-wire, intelligent four-wheel steering with an 18-degree bidirectional range, and the Lingxi digital chassis 3.0 system. The Ultra achieves a minimum turning radius of 4.49 meters. IM Motors compares the system with aircraft fly-by-wire technology and uses aviation-inspired engineering as part of the model’s technology presentation. The Ultra further adds air suspension and electronically controlled adaptive damping.

Powertrain and Battery Specifications

The Max and Pro Max use rear-wheel-drive configurations, with motor outputs of 245 kW, equivalent to 329 horsepower, and 300 kW, respectively. The Ultra employs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a combined 500 kW. Battery capacities across the three variants are 76 kWh, 93 kWh, and 103 kWh, respectively. Their stated CLTC driving ranges are 650 km, 782 km, and 750 km. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes 6.4 seconds for the Max, 5.4 seconds for the Pro Max, and 3.48 seconds for the Ultra, creating clear performance differences across the lineup.

800-Volt Architecture Enables Fast Charging

All three versions use an 800-volt electrical platform, making high-speed charging a standard feature across the range rather than an option reserved for the highest-priced model. Charging from 10% to 80% takes 18 minutes for the Max, 20.3 minutes for the Pro Max, and 16.8 minutes for the Ultra. The company also states that a 15-minute charging session can add between 420 km and 530 km of range, depending on the variant. These specifications position charging speed as another major technical differentiator for the vehicle alongside its electronically controlled chassis systems.

Advanced Driver Assistance and Digital Features

Driver assistance is provided through the IM AD Zeta system, which uses 520-channel LiDAR and supports Navigation on Autopilot without relying on high-definition maps. The system also supports parking-space-to-parking-space navigation and memory parking. The complete IM AD feature package is being offered free for a limited period. Inside the cabin, the SUV receives a 27.1-inch 5K MiniLED dual-screen arrangement and a 15.6-inch front passenger display. The IM Claw AI agent is integrated with Alibaba’s Qwen large language model, extending the vehicle’s software and in-cabin interaction capabilities beyond conventional display and infotainment functions.

Interior Equipment Targets Family-SUV Buyers

The cabin combines digital equipment with comfort-focused features intended for family use. Available equipment includes a B&O sound system, seats equipped with four-dimensional mechanical massage, and an 11-liter refrigerator with doors that can be opened from either side. These features complement the vehicle’s large five-seat SUV configuration and broader emphasis on passenger convenience. Rather than focusing solely on powertrain specifications, the new model combines chassis technology, charging performance, driver assistance, artificial intelligence, displays, and comfort equipment into a single product package designed for buyers considering premium electric SUVs in China’s mid-range price segment.

Role in IM Motors’ Product Strategy

The LS6 was first launched in October 2023 and has become the most important sales driver for IM Motors. The new generation is the latest model introduced under the brand’s NEXT·2028 strategy, following the updated L6 sedan launched on August 28. The timing gives the SUV an important role in the brand’s ongoing product renewal, while the technical package provides several areas of differentiation from earlier versions. The model also continues the company’s focus on electric vehicles that combine high-voltage charging, software-enabled functions, and electronically controlled chassis technology within a family-oriented vehicle format.

Competition in China’s 200,000- to 300,000-Yuan SUV Segment

The 200,000- to 300,000-yuan market for five-seat SUVs is among China’s most competitive automotive segments, placing the new vehicle against established electric and technology-focused models. Its identified rivals include the Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X, Xiaomi YU7, Luxeed R7, and Li Auto Li L6. The competitive context means pricing, driving range, charging time, chassis behavior, driver assistance, and cabin technology can all influence how buyers compare vehicles. The launch also places SAIC Motor directly within a segment where multiple manufacturers are competing through increasingly integrated electric, software, and intelligent-driving technologies.

China Market Positioning

The new model enters China with three powertrain configurations, multiple battery capacities, and a broad spread of equipment while maintaining a starting price below 200,000 yuan after incentives. Its technical package combines an 800-volt platform with by-wire steering, four-wheel steering, LiDAR-based driver assistance, and an AI-enabled cabin. The Ultra extends the specification further through all-wheel drive, 500 kW of combined output, air suspension, and adaptive damping. Together, these features give the lineup distinct specification levels while keeping all variants within the same five-seat electric SUV product family.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The launch adds another technology-focused electric SUV to a highly competitive Chinese market, with differentiation centered on chassis electronics, fast charging, driver assistance, and cabin software rather than price alone. For IM Motors, the vehicle’s role as a key sales driver makes its market reception relevant to the broader NEXT·2028 product strategy. Competitors in the same price segment will continue to be compared across range, charging performance, intelligent-driving functions, and interior technology. The next relevant developments will include customer deliveries, real-world adoption of the new chassis and driver-assistance systems, and how the three variants perform against established five-seat electric SUV alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the next-generation LS6?
The next-generation LS6 is a three-variant electric SUV with an 800-volt platform, by-wire chassis technology, and CLTC range of up to 782 km. Its Max, Pro Max, and Ultra versions use different battery and powertrain configurations, with outputs ranging from 245 kW to 500 kW. The Ultra combines dual-motor all-wheel drive with 500 kW, reaches 100 km/h in 3.48 seconds, and charges from 10% to 80% in 16.8 minutes. All versions also receive IM AD Zeta driver assistance and advanced cabin technology, while the Ultra adds air suspension and adaptive damping.