IM Zhiji’s LS6 SUV Triggers 10,000 Pre‑Orders in 30 Minutes on a $29,500 Price Tag, Redefining Premium EV Range‑Extender Market.

The response was immediate and massive. Within thirty minutes of the presale launch, more than 10,000 orders had been logged, a testament to the pent‑up demand for a high‑end SUV that can promise both long‑distance capability and an affordable price tag. The surge of interest is not merely a flash in the pan; it signals a potential shifting of the balance in China’s fiercely competitive new‑energy vehicle (NEV) market, where price, range and brand cachet have traditionally been at odds.

The LS6’s pricing structure is tiered but remains strikingly low for a vehicle in its class. The pure‑electric Pro version starts at the headline 209,900 yuan, while the “Super Range” 52Pro variant – which pairs a 66 kWh battery with a gasoline‑powered generator for extended cruising – is offered at 21,999 yuan. Upper‑trim models climb to 279,900 yuan, but even the top‑end remains under the 300,000 yuan threshold that other premium Chinese SUVs routinely breach.

Beyond the price, the LS6 packs a suite of innovations that underscore IM Zhiji’s ambition to be more than a budget brand. At the heart of the powertrain strategy is the brand‑new “Star” (恒星) super‑range system, co‑developed by SAIC and battery giant CATL. The system promises a combined driving range of 1,502 km (933 miles) under the Chinese NEDC test cycle, a figure that would make the LS6 a viable option for long trips without the range anxiety that still haunts many pure‑electric contenders. The 66 kWh battery pack alone delivers a pure‑electric range of approximately 450 km, while the gasoline generator can keep the vehicle cruising at a fuel consumption rate of just 5.32 L per 100 km when the battery is depleted.

The vehicle’s chassis and handling technologies merit a paragraph of their own. The LS6 is built on IM’s next‑generation “Lingxi” digital chassis, featuring a brand‑new German‑made Continental MKC2 linear‑controlled brake system and a dual‑direction 18° intelligent four‑wheel steering architecture. This setup reduces the turning radius to an impressive 4.79 m, a rarity among SUVs of this heft, and promises agility that rivals many European rivals. The digital platform also hosts an upgraded “Rain‑Night” mode. Using AI‑enhanced image processing, the system expands blind‑spot coverage by roughly 40 % and integrates a DZT dynamic area tracking 2.0 algorithm to improve driver visibility in adverse weather, bolstering safety without compromising the vehicle’s sleek aesthetic.

From a market strategy perspective, IM Zhiji appears to be executing a “dual‑kill” approach: it aims to encroach on both the pure‑EV premium SUV segment and the higher‑priced range‑extender niche. By offering two powertrain options under a single model line, the company hopes to capture buyers who are still wary of pure electric’s charging infrastructure while simultaneously courting early adopters who demand the longest possible run‑times. The aggressive pricing is clearly designed to undercut domestic rivals such as BYD’s Tang and the Nio ES8, whose base prices sit comfortably above 300,000 yuan.

Social media reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with users on Weibo and other platforms dubbing the price “shocking” (惊爆) and exclaiming that the company is “killing it with this price”. Many commenters highlighted the inclusion of cutting‑edge features—an 800 V electrical architecture, a 9° rear‑wheel steering angle, and even optional lidar—for a cost that would previously have seemed out of reach. Others have praised the strategic partnership with CATL, noting that the “Super Xiaoyao MAX” battery (超级骁遥MAX) delivers a compelling balance of energy density and reliability.

Nevertheless, the excitement is tempered by cautious analysis. Some observers point out that the LS6’s fuel‑efficiency figures for the range‑extender version, while respectable, still rely on gasoline consumption, potentially raising questions about long‑term emissions compliance as China tightens its NEV regulations. Others note that the rapid influx of orders could strain the supply chain, especially given the global semiconductor shortage and the high demand for CATL’s battery cells.

The company has set September 10 as the official launch date, leaving just under a month for production scaling and final quality checks. If the pre‑sale momentum translates into on‑road deliveries, IM Zhiji could secure a sizable foothold in the premium SUV market before many competitors have fully ramped up their own next‑gen offerings. More importantly, the LS6 could set a new benchmark for how Chinese automakers combine advanced technology, expansive range, and aggressive pricing—a trio that may redefine consumer expectations for the next wave of NEVs.