Li Auto has filed its upcoming battery electric SUV, the Li i8, with Chinese authorities, marking a key regulatory step toward market entry. The filing was disclosed in a public catalog released Wednesday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), with the public consultation period open from April 17 to 23.
The Li i8 is the company’s first all-electric SUV, following its introduction of the Li Mega MPV earlier this year. The model is expected to launch in July and is featured in four entries in the MIIT catalog, each describing a six-seat, dual-motor configuration. Production will take place at Li Auto’s facilities in Beijing and Changzhou.
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The Li i8 measures 5,085 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,740 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. It has a curb weight of either 2,580 kg or 2,610 kg and a top speed of 180 kilometers per hour. Compared to the Onvo L90 from Nio’s sub-brand, which also recently entered the regulatory catalog, the Li i8 is slightly more compact in size.
The vehicle is powered by two electric motors, including a 150 kW unit at the front and a 250 kW motor at the rear. It uses lithium ternary battery cells supplied by CATL and Sunwoda. The battery capacity was not disclosed in the regulatory filing.
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Li Auto also released official images and specifications for the i8 via its social media platform Weibo. According to the company, the SUV will be equipped with lithium ternary batteries supporting 5C fast charging and will include next-generation LiDAR technology designed to enhance detection capability while reducing size and weight.
Li Auto has built a presence in China’s electric vehicle market primarily through extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), including the Li L6, L7, L8, and L9 SUVs. The company is set to unveil an updated version of its Li Mega MPV at the Shanghai auto show on April 23, where the Li i8 is also expected to feature prominently.