IM Motors, the electric vehicle arm of SAIC Motor, will open pre-sales for its new LS9 extended-range SUV on November 4, as the automaker continues expanding into China’s fast-growing extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) segment.
The LS9 will make its official debut during an event at 7:00 p.m. Beijing time that same day, IM Motors said in a Weibo post. The full-size SUV will feature a 402-kilometer battery range under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) and claim the segment’s lowest fuel consumption of 2.81 liters per 100 kilometers. The model will also include a 520-channel LiDAR sensor to enhance advanced driver-assistance capabilities, the company said.
See also: IM Motors Launches Updated LS6 with Extended-Range Electric Variants
According to its regulatory filing, the LS9 measures 5,279 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,806 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,160 mm. It is powered by a 1.5-liter SAIC engine serving as a range extender, paired with dual electric motors producing peak outputs of 160 kW at the front and 230 kW at the rear. The SUV uses ternary lithium-ion batteries supplied by CATL.
The LS9 is IM Motors’ first extended-range model, following a lineup previously composed entirely of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), including the L6 and L7 sedans and LS6 and LS7 SUVs. The move aligns with the company’s strategy, announced earlier this year by co-CEO Liu Tao, to address limitations in conventional EREV systems, such as short electric range and limited fast-charging capabilities.
See also: IM Motors Unveils ‘Stellar’ Range Extender with 1,500 km Claimed Range for LS6, LS9
IM Motors unveiled its Hengxing extended-range system in August, designed to deliver significantly longer battery range and higher efficiency. The company introduced its first EREV, an updated version of the LS6, in September. The upcoming LS9 will join a growing field of large hybrid SUVs in China, following recent launches such as Leapmotor’s D19 and Zeekr’s 9X, as automakers compete to meet demand from consumers seeking both extended electric range and long-distance capability.