Source: Li Auto

Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) on February 6, 2026, officially announced the all-new generation of its flagship L9 SUV, positioning the model as an “embodied intelligence flagship SUV” and confirming a top-tier Livis edition priced at CNY 559,800 (c. $80,600). The new model is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2026.

Chief Executive Officer Li Xiang said the new L9 is intended to move beyond incremental spec upgrades and instead focus on creating what he described as a generational gap in user experience. The first-generation L9, launched four years earlier, became widely known for its “refrigerator, big screen TV, and big sofa” configuration and for being marketed as “the best SUV under 5 million CNY.”

Source: Li Auto

The new generation L9 is positioned as a step toward transforming the vehicle into what Li Auto describes as an intelligent agent, with Li Xiang stating that the new model is designed to “understand users” and evolve from a traditional vehicle into an embodied intelligent system.

The headline variant is the Li Auto L9 Livis, which Li Auto describes as an ultimate flagship version. The Livis is built around three core technology upgrades covering suspension, chassis architecture, and computing hardware.

First, the L9 Livis is the first vehicle priced under CNY 600,000 to be equipped with an 800V fully active suspension system. Li Auto said the system delivers more than 10,000 newtons of lifting force per wheel, operates without an anti-roll bar, and responds at millisecond-level speeds. The company said this configuration allows active control of body posture and handling behavior while maintaining ride comfort.

Second, the model introduces what Li Auto calls the world’s first “full-form” fully by-wire chassis. The system integrates steer-by-wire, four-wheel steering, and a full electronic mechanical brake system (EMB). The steering, braking, and electric drive systems are designed with multiple layers of cross-system safety redundancy.

Source: Li Auto

China’s national standard GB 21670-2025, issued in May 2025 and implemented on January 1, 2026, formally added EMB systems into mandatory regulatory standards. Li Auto said the L9 Livis is the first production vehicle to comply with the new EMB national standard, with the electronic braking system intended to reduce response delays associated with traditional hydraulic and mechanical braking systems.

Third, the L9 Livis is equipped with two self-developed 5nm Mach 100 (M100) chips. Each chip delivers 1,280 TOPS of computing power, for a combined total of 2,560 TOPS. Li Auto said this is three times the effective computing performance of NVIDIA’s Thor-U chip, which is rated at 700 TOPS.

Source: Li Auto

The intelligent driving system is paired with full-coverage 360-degree lidar. Reports indicate the system may include additional side-mounted solid-state lidar units and rear-facing lidar in addition to a forward-facing unit, expanding sensor coverage around the vehicle.

Li Auto has not officially confirmed autonomy levels, but the hardware configuration likely could support L3 or L4-level automated driving in the future.

In terms of exterior design, the new L9 retains Li Auto’s family styling while adopting a shorter front overhang and a longer rear overhang. The vehicle also features a wider D-pillar and revised rear light design. The company is offering a custom two-tone exterior finish using triple-layer paint and seamless hand-polishing craftsmanship.

Lighting features include ABB pixel headlights and a three-color “star ring” light signature. The vehicle is equipped with 22-inch wheels, semi-hidden door handles, and side-mounted solid-state lidar units.

Source: Li Auto

In addition, the extended-range battery system has been upgraded with a battery capacity expected to exceed 70 kWh, with pure electric driving range projected to surpass 400 km (about 249 miles). The platform is also expected to support 800V architecture and 5C ultra-fast charging capability.

Li Auto’s product push comes after a difficult year in 2025. The company reported full-year sales of 406,300 vehicles in 2025, down from 500,500 vehicles in 2024, representing a year-over-year decline of 18.81%. The company cited limited updates to its extended-range lineup and mixed performance among its battery-electric models.

Competitive pressure in the large three-row SUV segment is increasing in 2026, with confirmed or expected launches from NIO, Leapmotor, Volkswagen, Zeekr, and Xiaomi. In December 2025, Zeekr 9X recorded sales of 9,482 units, compared with 2,732 units for the current-generation Li Auto L9.

Li Auto has priced the L9 Livis significantly higher than the current top-trim L9 at CNY 439,800, reflecting the addition of advanced chassis, computing, and suspension technologies.

Li Xiang said deliveries of the new-generation L9 will begin following its Q2 2026 launch, and added that the company views the model as a key pillar of its high-end strategy for the next phase of growth.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 6.939 CNY as of February 6, 2026