IM LS9 arrives as a 1,500 km answer to range anxiety

The biggest fear for many drivers thinking about electric cars is "range anxiety." Will the battery die on a long trip? IM Motors, a brand from China's SAIC, just launched a new vehicle that promises to tackle this problem, but not in the way you might think.

The new IM LS9 is a luxury SUV that promises to give drivers the smooth, quiet ride of an EV for city driving, plus the long-distance confidence of a gas car. It uses what the company calls "Stellar" - a Super Extended Range system. When that battery gets low, a 1.5-liter gasoline engine kicks in and acts as a generator to make more electricity.

There are two distinct versions available - the 52 Ultra and the 66 Ultra models. In a move that will please early customers, the final prices were actually cut by RMB 14,000 from the original pre-sale figures. The 52 Ultra now starts at RMB 322,800 (about $45,360), while the 66 Ultra is priced at RMB 352,800.

The key difference is the battery pack available in two sizes, both supplied by the giant battery-maker CATL. The 52 Ultra uses a 52 kWh pack with a battery chemistry (LFP) known for its long lifespan. The 66 Ultra gets a larger 66 kWh pack using a different chemistry (ternary) that can store more energy in the same amount of space.

That battery choice directly affects the range of these EVs. On battery power alone, the 52 Ultra can travel a CLTC-rated 199 miles. The 66 Ultra and its larger pack can go 250 miles. When the gasoline-powered range extender is factored in, the total driving distance is impressive. The 52 Ultra has a combined range of 903 miles, while the 66 Ultra pushes that to 937 miles. Because the IM LS9 is built on a modern 800-volt high-voltage system, it also recharges quickly. IM Motors claims that at a proper fast-charging station, the battery can jump from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 16.5 minutes.

The LS9 is a true flagship, measuring 17.32 ft long, 6.6 ft wide, and 5.91 ft tall. Its long wheelbase of 10.37 ft means there is plenty of space for passengers inside. To manage all that size and weight, IM Motors gave the LS9 some serious chassis technology. It features the "Lingxi" Digital Chassis 3.0. One of its standout features is a smart four-wheel steering system that can turn the rear wheels up to 24 degrees - that's the biggest angle on the market.

The new flagship gets a closed dual-chamber air suspension that can adjust its height by 5.9 inches, smoothing out bumps for a comfortable ride. For convenience, electric running boards automatically extend to help passengers get in and out.

The vehicle is also packed with advanced driving technology. The IM LS9 uses a 520-line LiDAR sensor, which scans the road ahead with lasers to build a 3D map of its surroundings. All that data is processed by an Nvidia Thor chip, a powerful computer designed specifically for autonomous driving.

Inside, the cabin is dominated by screens. The driver and front passenger face a massive 27.1-inch 5K MiniLED screen that combines the driver's display and the central controls. The person riding shotgun also gets their own 15.6-inch 3K MiniLED screen for entertainment. The design is clean, with air vents hidden in the dashboard.

As a luxury SUV, the IM LS9 is loaded with comfort features. The right-side seat in the second row has a "zero-gravity" mode, allowing the passenger to recline into a highly relaxed position. Between the front seats, there is a built-in refrigerator that can be set to temperatures from 21°F to 122°F, perfect for keeping drinks cold or food warm.

Both versions of the IM LS9 use a powerful dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system. The motor on the rear axle is the same for both, producing 230 kW. The difference lies in the front motor: the 52 Ultra uses a 150 kW unit, while the 66 Ultra gets a more powerful 160 kW motor. This gives the top-trim 66 Ultra a total system output of 390 kW, or 523 horsepower, and 494 lb-ft of torque.

That is enough power to get the large six-seat SUV from 0 to 62 mph in a quick 4.9 seconds. For those who want even more performance, IM Motors has already confirmed that a high-performance "Hyper" variant of the LS9 is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026.

Via