IM Motors LS8 EREV SUV Launched – Up To 430 km EV Range, 4WS & 800V Platform

SAIC-owned IM Motors has officially launched the new LS8 extended-range electric SUV (EREV). Positioned below the flagship LS9, the LS8 comes equipped with an 800V electrical architecture, four-wheel steer-by-wire system and offers up to 430 km of pure electric range. The SUV is available in both 5- and 6-seat configurations, with introductory pricing starting from 249,800 yuan (approx $36,600).

Pricing & Variants

At launch, IM Motors is offering the LS8 in four trims, differentiated by battery size and seating layout.

The LS8 is the sixth model under IM brand and forms part of the LS SUV lineup alongside LS6, LS7 and LS9. As expected from its naming, it sits below LS9 and shares a similar design language, though it skips some of the premium chrome elements and luxury-style wheels seen on the flagship.

Powertrain & Range Details

The LS8 is offered with two battery options and drivetrain configurations.

The 52 Max+ variants are powered by a 52 kWh LFP battery sourced from Jiangsu Zenergy. These get a rear-wheel-drive layout with a single motor producing 230 kW (308 hp). Performance figures include 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, a top speed of 190 km/h and a claimed CLTC electric range of 355 km.

Higher-spec 66 Ultra variants use a larger 66 kWh ternary NMC battery supplied by the CATL-SAIC joint venture. These feature a dual-motor AWD setup, combining a 230 kW rear motor with a 160 kW front motor. Total output stands at 390 kW (523 hp), enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 220 km/h. Claimed electric range increases to 430 km.

All variants come equipped with IM’s “Stellar” Super Extended Range System. This setup combines the 800V platform with a “Zephyr” 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting as a range extender. With a full battery and 60-litre fuel tank, total driving range is claimed at up to 1,605 km.

Dimensions & Chassis Setup

The LS8 measures 5,085 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width and 1,807 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,060 mm. Kerb weight stands at 2,540 kg for 52 variants and 2,620 kg for 66 variants. Standard wheel size is 20-inch, while 21- and 22-inch options are also available.

Underpinning the SUV is IM’s latest “Lingxi” digital chassis. It features a dual wishbone setup at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear. All variants get single-chamber air suspension along with continuous damping control (CDC) as standard.

On 66 Ultra trims, IM offers an optional four-wheel steer-by-wire package priced at 10,000 yuan (approx $1,470). This system enables the rear wheels to turn up to 24 degrees and offers a variable steering ratio ranging from 4.5:1 to 14.2:1. As a result, turning radius is reduced to just 4.85 metres, which is notable for a vehicle of this size. All variants also come equipped with Continental’s MK C2 brake-by-wire system.

Exterior & Interior Options

The LS8 is available in five exterior colour options – Pamir Grey, Olympus Black, Chogori Silver, Alps White and Bled Green. Inside, buyers can choose from three interior themes – Black, Rice White and Brown.

The cabin features a wraparound design with a strong focus on digital interfaces. It gets a 27.1-inch 5K MiniLED central display along with a 15.6-inch 3K passenger screen. The system is powered by Qualcomm’s 8295P chipset. An optional B&O audio system with 25 speakers is also on offer.

Comfort & Convenience Features

The LS8 focuses heavily on rear seat comfort and in-cabin luxury. Both front and second-row seats come with ventilation, heating and massage functions. Second-row passengers also get access to a 12.3-litre storage unit that supports cooling, heating and freezing functions.

Additional features include motorised privacy shades, active noise cancellation and cabin floor heating. Notably, LS8 and LS9 are currently the only production cars to offer heated cabin floors.

ADAS & Smart Driving Tech

For driver assistance, IM Motors has partnered with Momenta. The LS8 offers an advanced ADAS suite featuring an optional 520-line roof-mounted LiDAR sensor paired with Nvidia Thor chip and 64GB LPDDR5x RAM.

The system is capable of detecting obstacles up to 300 metres ahead. It also supports map-free Navigation on Autopilot (NOA), allowing L2 assisted driving in urban environments across Chinese cities.

Market Position & Rivals

IM Motors delivered 5,824 units in March 2026, and monthly volumes have largely remained below 10,000 units except for a brief spike in late 2025. With LS8, the company aims to improve its market performance through aggressive pricing and a feature-loaded package.

The LS8 may also be introduced in international markets under the MG brand, similar to how IM’s L6 sedan is sold overseas.

In China’s highly competitive new-energy SUV segment, the LS8 will rival models such as the Li Auto L8, Denza N8L, Aito M8 and Voyah Taishan X8.

Segment Trends

Buyers in this segment prioritise comfort, long driving range and advanced technology. Automakers are increasingly positioning such SUVs as “home away from home”, introducing features focused on convenience and lifestyle.

Examples include in-cabin heating solutions, luxury seating setups and even experimental concepts like integrated cooking systems and extended living features. With LS8, IM Motors continues this trend by combining performance, practicality and high-end comfort features in a single package.

Source