IM Motors, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of SAIC Motor, has opened pre-sales for its new LS9 large SUV, introducing another extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) with an exceptionally long driving range to the Chinese market. The LS9 marks the company’s latest effort to capture growing demand for premium hybrid SUVs.
The automaker is offering two LS9 variants during pre-sales—the 52 Ultra and 66 Ultra—priced from RMB 336,900 ($47,280) and RMB 366,900, respectively. The model’s official launch is set for November 12. The six-seat SUV measures 5,279 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,806 mm in height, with a 3,160 mm wheelbase. It is powered by SAIC’s Hengxing extended-range system, featuring a 1.5-liter engine as the range extender with a maximum output of 114 kW.
The LS9 employs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, with the front motor producing 160 kW and the rear motor 230 kW, delivering a combined 523 horsepower (390 kW) and 670 Nm of torque. This configuration enables acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds.
The model uses CATL’s (SHE: 300750) Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, available in 52 kWh and 66 kWh versions, providing up to 402 kilometers of CLTC-rated range. When fully fueled and charged, the LS9 achieves a combined range of 1,508 kilometers. It also comes equipped with a 520-channel LiDAR sensor and four-wheel steering.
The IM LS9 ranks among China’s longest-range hybrid SUVs, underscoring intensifying competition in the extended-range segment. Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) will debut the extended-range version of its X9 MPV on November 6, featuring a 63.3-kWh battery with a 450-kilometer electric range.
Meanwhile, Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) launched its D19 flagship SUV on October 16, with an 80.3-kWh battery delivering up to 500 kilometers of range. Zeekr (NYSE: ZK) also entered the segment on September 29 with its 9X luxury hybrid SUV, offering 55-kWh and 70-kWh battery options providing 300 to 380 kilometers of range under CLTC standards.
