Li Auto CEO confident the Li i6 will be China's most competitive mid-size SUV
globalchinaev
• 2 days ago
On August 28, Li Auto’s Founder and CEO Li Xiang affirmed during the company’s Q2 earnings call that the third all-electric model will become the most competitive all-electric 5-seater SUV in the Chinese market. Li Xiang revealed that the midsize SUV will be the sportiest and best driving vehicle of Li Auto yet.
The Li i6 will continue the unique avant-garde design that was introduced by the Li i8 with class-leading interior spacing and comfort, as well as long battery life and driving range.
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The Li i6 will be the company’s third all-electric vehicle, following the MPV Li MEGA and the 6-seater SUV Li i8. The Li i8 starts at 339,800 yuan (c. $47,600), slightly higher than the price of its extended-range sibling Li L8, which begins at 321,800 yuan (c. $45,100). Similarly, the extended-range Li L6 provides a pricing anchor for the i6, starting at 249,800 yuan (c. $35,000).
He also reflected on the experience learned from the recent Li i8 launch and said that the i6 will adopt a new communication approach that will feel closer to users and better deliver its value proposition.
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Li Xiang added that they will “seriously and comprehensively defend public opinion to ensure that the problems that have arisen before can be mitigated", referring to a smear controversy around a reportedly fabricated test drive story to criticize the i8 while praising rival Onvo L90.
While an official delivery date for the Li i8 has yet been made official, Li Xiang announced back in May that the Li i6 will be launched and delivered in September.
On August 29, some uncamouflaged photos of the anticipated 5-seater SUV appeared on Chinese social media, revealing an exterior design that is nearly identical to the Li i8’s.
This comes at no surprise as Li Auto had adopted the same strategy with its extended-range SUVs, including the L6/L7/L8/L9, all of which share the same exterior fascia, profile, and rear design.
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Per China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) purchase tax exemptions listing, the Li i6 will measure 4,950 mm in length, 1,935 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm.
The Li i6 will offer only one battery pack option with a 87.3075 kWh capacity weighing 620 kg and an energy density of about 140 Wh/kg.
Driving range based on Chinese CLTC vary across trims with 660 km, 710 km, and 720 km options and single and dual motor variants.