IM Motors just dropped an interesting twist with their new L6 sedan. Although most automakers are raising prices on a regular basis however, they’ve managed to make their premium trims less expensive. It’s not something you’ll find every day on the market.
The new L6 lineup starts at the same 219,900 Yuan ($30,540) as it did before however here’s where things get exciting – the more expensive models were able to enjoy significant price reductions. The most expensive Ultra trim went from a hefty 345,900 yuan down to 279,900 Yuan. This is a significant amount of money that’s sure to draw attention from buyers waiting to buy.
What’s Actually New Under the Hood
The most important upgrade isn’t the most flashy, but it’s significant. Each and every L6 version now has the 800-volt system. Prior to this, only the more expensive models were equipped with this technology, whereas the basic model was able to function using the traditional 400-volt structure. For those who don’t know the language of electric vehicles, this implies quicker charging all over all models.
When it comes to charging IM Motors claims the L6 can charge between 10% and 80 percent in 16.8 minutes. This is a huge feat should it prove to be true in actual circumstances. We’ve all experienced the pitfalls of false claims about charging however, 800V systems typically meet these promises superior to their 400V counterparts.
Performance That Actually Makes Sense
The powertrain lineup is fairly simple and refreshing in the midst of endless trim options. There are three single-motor rear-drive designs and a dual motor all-wheel-drive beast that is at the top.
The motors that are the entry level produce 245 kW (that’s around 328 horsepower to those who are keeping track) and can get the speed up to 100 km/h within 5.9 seconds. This isn’t the exact Tesla Model S territory, however, it’s adequate for the majority of people’s day-to-day needs.
Upgrade to the larger single-motor model, and you’ll experience 300 horsepower and a 4.6-second speed. This is a reasonablely fast speed but not going to “might be in a position to not drive at” speeds.
The most powerful dual-motor model? Then things start to get insane. It has 579kW of total power the car can go up to speeds of up to 100 km/h, in 2.74 seconds. At this point, you’re not really buying transport anymore. You’re buying bragging rights.
Range Numbers Look Solid
Battery options can be divided according to predictable lines. The two cheapest models come with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) packs that have capacity of 74 kWh. This is enough for 690 km worth of CLTC range. The more expensive models increase to 100 kWh of ternary lithium batteries that have 780 km and 850 km of range.
These CLTC figures are worth taking with the normal dose of salt. Chinese tests are more confident as compared to EPA ratings. However, even if you account for the effects of efficiency in real life they should be comparable estimates of range.
Smart Pricing Strategy
What’s interesting in IM Motors’ approach here is how they’ve placed the pricing. They’ve kept the crucial lower entry price of just 220,000 Yuan while making premium features more affordable. This is the kind of decision that indicates they’re confident in their cost structure, and they’re determined to sell in large quantities.
The discounts that are limited-time make the deal even more appealing and lower the starting price to 204,900 Yuan. The promotional prices are commonplace in China’s electronic vehicle market, but they can still assist in moving metal from lots.
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The Bigger Picture
With deliveries beginning on May 19th and running through May 19th, the new L6 is entering a market that has been incredibly overcrowded. Chinese customers have more options for electric cars than anyone else in the world. This is likely the reason for the ad-hoc pricing plan.
The L6’s dimensions place it right in the middle-to-large sedan category at 4,937mm in length. The 6mm increase from the model before may seem insignificant but for the Chinese market, the perception of size is crucial. Each millimeter matters when trying to justify the premium positioning.
If the L6 will be able to gain a significant market share is yet to be examined. The specifications appear like they are competitive on paper and the price is definitely competitive. However, in a world that sees new electric vehicles launch each week, performance and the perception of brand as much as the specs sheets.
If you are looking to buy a car on the market the brand new L6 is worth a chance to take a test drive. Its charging speed of 800V, an affordable range and price reduction on the top trims makes an excellent choice in the event that IM Motors can deliver on its claims of speedy charging with respect to the real world.
