Li Auto i8 debuts in China with full specs

Lixiang Auto has introduced its first all-electric crossover SUV in China, the i8. It’s already available for preordering.

The company has published images of the i8 exterior and interior, all the trim details and the main powertrain specs. According to AutoHome.cn, only the pricing remains to be disclosed, with most dealerships expecting it to fall within the range of 350,000–450,000 Yuan.

The vehicle is 5,085 mm (198.6 inches) long, 1,960 mm (76.6 in) wide and 1,740 mm (68 in) tall with a wheelbase spanning 3,050 mm (119.2 in). Li Auto highlights that the SUV has 3,514 mm (137.2 inches) of effective interior length – more than even some full-size luxury SUVs like the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS can offer.

The exterior styling will be familiar to those of you who have seen the Li Mega minivan, but the claimed drag ratio of 0.218 makes the new model more aerodynamically optimized than the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y – at least, on paper.

The cabin is strictly six-seat and houses two 15.7-inch OLED displays on the dash. Rear row occupants get to enjoy their own ceiling-mounted display along with folding tables. All seats have power adjustments, heating, ventilation, massage and come wrapped in perforated Nappa leather. A fridge, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and independent air-ride suspension are listed under options.

The powertrain is fully electric with 800-volt internals and two motors driving all four wheels with a combined 544 PS (536 hp / 400 kW). Outfitted like this, the SUV can go from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds. Buyers are choosing from two batteries rated at 90.1 and 97.8 kWh. The former delivers up to 670 km (416 miles) of range per charge, and the latter manages 720 km (447 miles), China-rated.