China’s new rival to the Tesla Model Y dominates before launch: 8,000 reservations in just 45 minutes

IM Motors has once again highlighted the immense pressure in China’s electric SUV market. The brand launched pre-orders for the new LS6, and the response was immediate: over 8,000 refundable reservations within just 45 minutes. This figure is particularly striking given that it has not yet been officially released to the market.

The new IM LS6 will hit the Chinese market on September 23, starting at 209,900 yuan, which is approximately 26,400 euros at current exchange rates. The brand positions it directly against models like the Tesla Model Y, but differentiates itself through a combination of 800-volt technology, all-wheel drive, and a fully electronic steering system.

The LS6 is also the first IM Motors model developed under the new NEXT·2028 strategy unveiled by the company this year. The goal is to bring some of the technologies that have so far been reserved for the brand’s much more expensive vehicles, such as the LS8 and LS9, to models with more affordable prices.

A nearly five-meter SUV with uncommon technology

The new IM LS6 retains the five-seater SUV format with a sporty body style, but introduces some changes to its exterior design compared to the previous model. It measures 4,937 meters in length, 1,988 meters in width, and 1,671 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2,960 meters. In other words, it is 3.3 centimeters longer than its predecessor and also has a slightly increased wheelbase.

Inside, IM Motors aims to enhance the sense of quality and technology through a new cockpit design. Among the available features are a sound system from Bang & Olufsen, a driver’s seat with massage functions, and an artificial intelligence-based assistant called IM Claw. Other equipment options are also offered during the pre-order period as part of the initial promotions.

But perhaps the most significant change is hidden under the hood. The new LS6 comes standard with a fully electronic chassis, featuring electronic steering, electronic brakes, and rear-wheel steering. The company claims this architecture includes various redundancy systems to maintain vehicle control even if some of its components fail.

Four-wheel steering also allows for a significant reduction in the turning radius for a vehicle of these dimensions. In rear-wheel-drive versions, it’s around 4.79 meters, while the Ultra four-wheel-drive version can reduce it to as low as 4.49 meters.

The technology resembles that used in aircraft electronic control systems, a comparison IM Motors itself is using to promote the new LS6. It’s no coincidence that the company markets it in China as a kind of land-based A320, though it’s important to note that this is a marketing strategy rather than the vehicle actually using aviation technology.

The other major innovation is the 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows for a maximum charging power of up to 396 kW. IM Motors claims the car can recover as much as 500 kilometers of CLTC range in 15 minutes, though this figure depends on charging conditions and the charging station used.

The propulsion system also introduces SAIC’s NEO architecture and the new Hurricane electric motor. In terms of driving assistance, the LS6 relies on Momenta’s technology and a physical AI model developed to interpret the vehicle’s surroundings. IM Motors will also offer its full IMAD package at no additional cost for a limited time.

The initial lineup consists of three versions. The Max is the entry-level model, equipped with a 76 kWh battery and a rear motor. It claims a CLTC range of 650 kilometers and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.

Above it is the Pro Max, which has a 93 kWh battery and also features rear-wheel drive. Its certified range reaches 782 kilometers CLTC, and it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. The pre-order price is 229,900 yuan, approximately 28,700 euros.

The most powerful version is the Ultra, which uses a 103 kWh battery and two electric motors to provide all-wheel drive. Its announced range is 750 kilometers CLTC, with an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h of just 3.48 seconds. It is also the only version in the lineup that combines air suspension with adaptive dampers.

What would its range be under WLTP?

The figures released by IM Motors are based on the Chinese CLTC testing cycle, which typically yields significantly higher results than those obtained using the WLTP cycle in Europe. For reference, the Max model would have a range of around 566 kilometers under WLTP, the Pro Max around 680 kilometers, and the Ultra approximately 653 kilometers.

The starting price is also lower compared to when the previous generation was launched. The original LS6 went on sale in China in 2024 at a price of 216,900 yuan, so the new model starts 7,000 yuan lower, despite featuring a significantly more advanced electric architecture and chassis.

IM Motors initially introduced the LS6 in 2023 as one of its key models to compete in China against the Tesla Model Y. An update was released in 2024, and in 2025 an EREV version with a 66 kWh battery was added.

Outside of China, the model is sold as the IM6 in some markets, while it is offered under the MG brand in the UK and Australia. The company has already confirmed its plans to expand its international presence into markets such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Northern Europe, and the Middle East, although it has not yet specified when it will begin exporting this new generation of the LS6.

The IM brand, which has started selling in Europe, is expected to launch this updated version of the L6 soon.