IM Motors has reported scoring over 8,000 preorders for its LS9 crossover within 30 minutes from the announcement. The novelty SUV has certainly made ripples throughout China, not least thanks to packing some rather offbeat features, AutoHome.cn reports.
Among other things, the LS9 can be optioned with a hot water shower built into its trunk compartment. The option has caused a heated discussion in the Chinese segment of the Internet, with some deriding it as “impractical” and “unworthy of a flagship vehicle” and others praising it for bare practicality and sheer novelty value.
The system is quite barebones and consists of a 10-liter water tank, a hose and a shower head – nothing more than that. A built-in heater can be turned on to get the water in the tank up to 45 degrees Celsius (113ºF) over 45 minutes. Those wishing for some additional privacy may opt for a foldable cloth screen that can be attached to the tailgate and unfolded into a small shower cabin when necessary.
The main criticism right now seems to be addressed at the water tank volume, which most find impractical. They argue that, even with a special water-sparing shower head, 10 liters (2.64 American gallons or 2.2 British gallons) is barely enough to wash hair. Some add that IM Motors ought to have prioritized other features, like a comfortable interior, modern technologies and hybrid powertrain specs, rather than shoving a mobile shower into the trunk and proclaiming the car a luxury flagship.
Others argue that no in-car bathing aid should ever be considered a full substitute for a proper bath at home. If nothing else, the feature may come in handy for people who would like to rinse their dirty footwear after hiking and avoid ruining the interior. It may also come in handy for washing a dog’s paws or a baby’s hands after a day at the beach. Others still say that, while the shower accessory may not be very practical, it still reflects the automaker’s dedication to listening to the customer feedback. It’s unclear whether the option was added by a popular request, though.
Sized 5,279 x 2,000 x 1,806 mm (206.2 x 78.1 x 70.6 inches) large with 3,160 mm (123.4 inches) between the axles, the IM LS9 is a full-size crossover SUV running on hybrid power. It can turn on a 5-meter (16.4-foot) radius thanks to four-wheel steering and sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in four seconds flat. The nominal powertrain output amounts to 530 PS (523 hp / 390 kW) and 670 Nm (494 lb-ft) of torque. Once fully charged, the LS9 can cover up to 402 km (250 miles) on electricity alone, or up to 1,508 km (937 miles) if you fill the tank as well.
