SAIC's IM Motors has launched the LS8, pricing starts at 36,600 USD. Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member SAIC‘s IM Motors has officially launched the LS8, a large extended-range EV (EREV) SUV with 800V electronics, four-wheel steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire, with an EV range of up to 430 km. The LS8 can be configured as a five or six-seater, and four trims are available at launch, with pricing set at 249,800 to 299,800 yuan (36,600 to 44,000 USD). The new LS8. Credit: IM Motors Pricing & Positioning The LS8 is the sixth model under the IM brand, and alongside the LS6, LS7, and flagship LS9, forms the fourth entry in the LS SUV series. As the naming suggests, this new model is placed below the LS9 in IM’s lineup, and largely shares a design language with the latter. A notable change is the lack of the LS9’s luxury-style wheels and chrome detailing. VariantPrice (yuan)Price (USD)52 Max+ Tech Flagship Big Five-Seater249,80033,60066 Ultra Tech Flagship Big Five-Seater279,80041,00052 Max+ Luxury Big Six-Seater269,80039,60066 Ultra Luxury Big Six-Seater299,80044,000Compiled by CarNewsChina Powertrain & Electronics Four trims are available at launch, each differentiated by battery size and seating capacity. 52 Max+ trims use a 52 kWh LFP pack from Jiangsu Zenergy, paired with a rear-wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain and providing 355 km of CLTC EV range. The rear motor outputs 230 kW (308 hp), and RWD LS8s will do 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 190 km/h. 5 colours are available: Pamir Grey, Olympus Black, Chogori Silver, Alps White, and Bled Green. Credit: IM Motors Meanwhile, 66 Ultra trims use a 66 kWh ternary NMC pack from CATL-SAIC, a battery joint venture between the automaker and CATL. This is paired with a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain, providing 430 km of CLTC range. The 230 kW (308 hp) rear motor works in tandem with a 160 kW (215 hp) motor up front, bringing total motor power to 390 kW (523 hp). 0 to 100 km/h times are brought down to 4.7 seconds, with top speed being 220 km/h. 3 interior colours are available: Black, Rice White, and Brown. Credit: IM Motors All LS8s will be equipped with what IM calls the “Stellar” Super Extended Range System. Seen on the LS6 and LS9, the LS8 will be the third model to feature this EREV system, which combines an 800V platform with a “Zephyr” 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder range extender. IM claims that with the battery charged and the 60-litre petrol tank topped off, its comprehensive driving range can reach up to 1605 km. Body & Chassis The new LS8 measures 5085 mm in length, 2000 mm in width, 1807 mm in height, and has a 3060 mm wheelbase. Regardless of seating capacity, 55 Max+ trims have a curb weight of 2540 kg, while 66 Ultra cars have a curb weight of 2620 kg. 20-inch wheels come as standard, with 21 and 22-inch rims available as optional extras. The LS8’s four-wheel steer-by-wire system has a variable steering ratio (VSR) from 4.5:1 to 14.2:1. Credit: IM Motors The LS8 features the latest generation of IM’s “Lingxi” digital chassis, which uses front dual wishbone and rear multi-link suspension. All trims receive single-chamber air suspension and continuous damping control (CDC). On 66 Ultra trims, IM offers four-wheel steer-by-wire as a 10,000 yuan (1,470 USD) optional pack. This system gives the LS8 variable steering ratio (VSR) functionality, and enables the LS8’s rear wheels to pivot up to 24°, shrinking its turning radius down to 4.85 meters. In comparison, the LS6’s rear wheels can only pivot up to 18°. Though like its smaller sibling, all LS8 trims are equipped with Continental Group’s MK C2 brake-by-wire system. The LS8 with four-wheel-steering (4WS) engaged. Credit: Autohome Interior The LS8’s interior uses a wrap-around design, pairing a 27.1-inch 5K MiniLED center screen with a 15.6-inch 3K screen for the passenger. The infotainment system is powered by a Qualcomm 8295P chip, while an optional B&O sound system brings 25 speakers into the interior. The LS8’s interior. Credit: Autohome Front and second row seats are capable of ventilation, heating, and massaging, while second row passengers get to enjoy a 12.3-litre cooler with heating and freezing functions. Motorized privacy shades, active noise cancellation, and cabin floor heating are on offer as well. This makes the LS8 and LS9 the only production cars to feature a heated cabin floor. Assisted Driving IM has partnered with Momenta for the LS8’s advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), combining an optional 520-line roof-mounted LiDAR unit with an Nvidia Thor chip. IM has paired this chip with 64 gigabytes of LPDDR5x RAM and claims the LS8 will be able to sense obstacles up to 300 meters ahead. Map-free Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) is on offer as well, and LiDAR-equipped LS8s will be able to perform L2-assisted driving in any Chinese city. More on IM and its rivals IM Motor’s domestic deliveries, April 2025 to March 2026. Source: China EV DataTracker According to China EV DataTracker, IM Motors delivered 5824 units domestically in March 2026. Apart from October, November, and December of 2025, monthly sales have not gone beyond 10,000 units. This brief peak coincides with the termination of favourable PHEV and EREV subsidies at the start of 2026. As a brand with two sedans and four SUV models, SAIC likely views IM’s sales performance as unsatisfactory. The LS8’s aggressive pricing, tech-laden chassis, and interior features may be the key to attracting more buyers, and form the push IM needs to get back in the new-energy SUV game. The LS8 may also enter international markets under the MG name. IM Motor’s L6, a pure EV sedan, is sold in foreign markets like the UK and Australia as the MG IM5. The IM LS8 joins China’s brutal new-energy SUV market, where it will have to compete neck-and-neck with its “8-series” rivals. Examples include Dongfeng‘s Voyah Taishan X8, Li Auto L8, BYD‘s Denza N8L, and Huawei‘s Aito M8. Consumers in this class value comfort, advanced tech, and big EV range, and manufacturers tend to cater to them by marketing their SUVs as a “home away from home”. Innovative yet homely features are often first seen here, like the LS9’s floor heating and outdoor shower, and the Landian E5 Plus‘s in-car hotpot. Seres, the manufacturer behind Aito’s vehicles, has even patented an in-car toilet, adding an extra “room” to the “home-on-wheels” experience. Olympic hurdler Liu Xiang is in the second row. Credit: IM Motors
+18 others
![Volkswagen, SUV, Volkswagen's affordable electric SUV leaks [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wMy9Wb2xrc3dh-Z2VuLWFmZm9yZGFibGUtZWxlY3RyaWMt-U1VWLWxlYWtzLmpwZWc_dz0xNTAwJmFt-cDtxdWFsaXR5PTgyJmFtcDtzdHJpcD1h-bGwmYW1wO3NzbD0x/c036e38ea558a8f53e77dc1192a9f7af.jpeg)
![Volkswagen, SUV, Volkswagen's affordable electric SUV leaks [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wMy9Wb2xrc3dh-Z2VuLWFmZm9yZGFibGUtZWxlY3RyaWMt-U1VWLWludGVyaW9yLTEuanBnP3N0cmlw-PWluZm8mYW1wO3c9MTAyNCZhbXA7c3Ns-PTE/bc6bde09e7e74c82e6de5f9b1e693751.jpg)
![Volkswagen, SUV, Volkswagen's affordable electric SUV leaks [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wMy9Wb2xrc3dh-Z2VuLWFmZm9yZGFibGUtZWxlY3RyaWMt-U1VWLWRpbWVuc2lvbnMuanBnP3N0cmlw-PWluZm8mYW1wO3c9MTAyNCZhbXA7c3Ns-PTE/37f0bf2880a381868e281094e06fd5bc.jpg)
![Volkswagen, SUV, Volkswagen's affordable electric SUV leaks [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wMy9Wb2xrc3dh-Z2VuLWFmZm9yZGFibGUtZWxlY3RyaWMt-U1VWLWludGVyaW9yLmpwZz9zdHJpcD1p-bmZvJmFtcDt3PTEwMjQmYW1wO3NzbD0x/7c2392a6f63a63bb37ab5cfa294526cd.jpg)
![Volkswagen, SUV, Volkswagen's affordable electric SUV leaks [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wMy9Wb2xrc3dh-Z2VuLWFmZm9yZGFibGUtZWxlY3RyaWMt-U1VWLTEuanBnP3N0cmlwPWluZm8mYW1w-O3c9MTAyNCZhbXA7c3NsPTE/1bbd6675c3d0cfff1b4e9f4ca321db68.jpg)
![Volkswagen, SUV, Volkswagen's affordable electric SUV leaks [Images]](https://cdn.topcarnews.net/thumb/id/aHR0cHM6Ly9pMC53cC5jb20vZWxlY3Ry-ZWsuY28vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRz-L3NpdGVzLzMvMjAyNi8wMy9Wb2xrc3dh-Z2VuLWFmZm9yZGFibGUtZWxlY3RyaWMt-U1VWLTMuanBnP3N0cmlwPWluZm8mYW1w-O3c9MTAyNCZhbXA7c3NsPTE/eb11e91e11e416aa158cf88e3a28814a.jpg)
