IM Motors is betting on “super range-extended” technology, aiming to set a new benchmark for range with a 66kWh ultra-large battery for extended-range SUVs.
IM Motors has officially announced a “Super Range-Extended Technology Launch Event” to be held on August 1, where it will debut a new powertrain system featuring a massive 66kWh battery pack developed in partnership with CATL, specifically designed for extended-range electric vehicles.
This new powertrain will first appear on two upcoming models: the next-generation five-seat SUV LS6, and the brand’s first six-seat flagship SUV LS9, both expected to hit the market in Q3 or Q4 of this year.
Among them, the LS9 is positioned as a key model and has already appeared in MIIT filings. It measures 5279 × 2000 × 1806 mm with a wheelbase of 3160 mm, larger than the Li Auto L9. The LS9 combines a 1.5T engine acting as a range extender with a dual-motor electric drive system, enabling “EV or gas” usage across all driving scenarios. It also features a 65.9kWh battery pack that delivers a 450km all-electric range, with a projected total driving range of over 1300km.
At the same time, IM Motors also released the first official images of the extended-range version of the LS6. The new model retains the brand’s signature design language and measures 4937 × 1988 × 1673 mm, with a wheelbase of 2960 mm, slightly larger than the current all-electric LS6. Under the hood, it’s equipped with SAIC’s self-developed 1.5T range extender engine (114kW max power), a 230kW drive motor, and battery options sourced from Unified Advanced Battery System (UABS), available in either LFP or NMC chemistry.
Looking back at recent trends in China’s NEV market, dual-power solutions have become increasingly favored by new players. For example, Avatr delivered 12,266 units in June, of which 5,842 were the extended-range Avatr 06, accounting for nearly half. The newly launched Avatr 07 also delivered 4,497 units, helping boost the brand’s growth. Meanwhile, XPeng is planning to begin mass production of its first range-extended model based on the X9 later this year, with P7 and G6 range-extended versions also under development.
In contrast, IM’s performance has been more modest: 3,228 units of the LS6 were sold in June, and 2,635 units of the L6. Amidst ongoing efforts in brand building and sales channel expansion, the new 66kWh CATL-powered “super range extension” solution may be a crucial step for IM to attract new users and expand its customer base.
In recent years, extended-range EVs have evolved from being seen as a “stopgap technology” to a vital strategy for capturing mainstream markets—evident in how Li Auto broke into the market and Avatr staged a sales rebound. For IM Motors, the upcoming “Super Range-Extended Technology Launch Event” is not only a showcase of technical capability but also a bold move to redefine its market direction.
Going forward, the market reception of the LS6 and LS9 will be pivotal in determining whether IM can break through its current sales plateau.
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