Li Auto Launches High-Tech 6-Seat Electric SUV, New Tesla Model Y Competitor

Last Updated on: 29th July 2025, 08:36 pm

Li Auto is known for its gigantic extended-range electric vehicles, sort of designed in Cadillac Escalade size and style. However, the company launched its first fully electric vehicle today, the Li i8 (I guess there’s no trademark issue with BMW there). This is a 6-seat “family SUV.”

It’s funny timing, either from Li Auto or from Tesla, because Tesla just launched a 6-seat version of the Model Y. The company’s sales have drooped a bit in China, like elsewhere, but the Model Y is still one of the top selling models in the country (#2 in June overall, #4 among plugin vehicles in January–June). Li Auto is a hot brand, though, and this is the first model from the startup that’s really going head to head with the Model Y. How will it do?

According to Li Auto, the Li i8 is a special vehicle. “As an SUV of the new era, Li i8 combines the all-terrain capabilities of off-road vehicles, the handling dynamics of sedans, and the comfort of MPVs, redefining family mobility with an all-new driving and riding experience.” In other words, it offers all the things. 😀

Here’s some info on pricing:

• Pro starting price — RMB321,800 ($44,840)
• Max — RMB349,800 ($48,740)
• Ultra — RMB369,800 ($51,530)

Those are not cheap prices, especially for China, but the model offers a lot. In fact, it’s also introducing new tech from the company. “Li Auto has developed a new high-voltage battery electric platform for Li i8, featuring an in-house developed electric drive system, 5C battery pack, and a nationwide 5C super charging network,” the company notes. Here are some more details:

1) Proprietary Electric Drive System: Ultra-Quiet, Ultra-Efficient

Li Auto’s in-house developed electric drive system is designed to minimize noise and energy consumption. Its proprietary rotor-stator structure and transmission system can effectively reduce vibration and noise inside the Li i8 cabin, achieving industry-leading cabin quietness. Additionally, Li i8’s electric drive system incorporates in-house developed silicon carbide power chips and modules, offering high efficiency, low losses, and rapid heat dissipation for enhanced energy savings. Li Auto also built its own motor factory to ensure the full implementation of in-house technologies.

2) In-House Developed Ternary Lithium 5C Super Charging Battery Pack

Li i8 is equipped with 90.1 kilowatt-hours and 97.8 kilowatt-hours ternary lithium 5C super charging battery pack options. With all-wheel drive offered as standard, Li i8 achieves a CLTC range of 670 kilometers and 720 kilometers for the 90.1 kilowatt-hours and 97.8 kilowatt-hours battery pack options, respectively. The in-house developed drive motor and low-drag design contribute to Li i8’s industry-leading range attainment rate. Paired with an industry-leading battery thermal management system, Li i8 ensures sustained high-power charging, achieving a 500-kilometer driving range with just 10 minutes of charging. Furthermore, based on the Company’s battery lifespan tests, Li i8’s battery health remains above 80% after 1,500 full charge-discharge cycles in super charging mode.

Surprisingly to me, Li Auto claims to have the largest superfast charging network among Chinese automakers. I would not expect that from a company that has focused on selling EREVs, but I assume it must be telling the truth. The company has 3,000 superfast charging stations in operation.

Li Auto notes that the i8 was modeled a bit after a yacht, for extra good aerodynamics and exceptional visibility. “Li i8 provides every family user on board with excellent visibility,” the company writes. “Li i8’s avant-garde yacht-inspired design achieves low drag, exceptional space utilization, and outstanding visibility.” Additionally, they say that the interior space of the vehicle is greater than that of many full size SUVs. Here are some key specs:

• drag coefficient of 0.218
• 5,085 millimeters long
• 1,960 millimeters wide
• 1,740 millimeters high
• 3,050-millimeter wheelbase.

The model can go from 0–100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Though, if you want to chill and have the car help you drive, here’s info on the driver-assist features:

An All-New Assisted Driving and Smart Space Experience

In terms of assisted driving, Li i8 Pro comes standard with the Li AD Pro assisted driving system, equipped with a Horizon Robotics J6M chip delivering total computing power of 128 TOPS. The Li i8 Max and Ultra models are equipped with the advanced Li AD Max assisted driving system, featuring an NVIDIA Thor-U chip with a total computing power of 700 TOPS. With the launch of urban NOA on the Horizon Robotics J6M platform by year-end, the assisted driving capabilities of Li AD Pro will be significantly enhanced. The Li AD Max will integrate Li Auto’s self-developed VLA driver large model, which possesses understanding, reasoning, memory, and communication capabilities, evolving through reinforcement learning into an increasingly intuitive personal driver. Combining spatial intelligence, linguistic intelligence, and behavioral strategies, the VLA driver large model leverages a human-like technical architecture to deliver notable improvements in safe driving, smoothness and comfort, three-point turns, continuous task execution, and underground parking. The development of the VLA driver large model benefited from Li Auto’s R&D advantages in data, algorithms, computing power, and engineering capabilities, including optimized data allocation, the use of generated data, high model evaluation efficiency, a closed loop of reinforcement learning, as well as increasing investments in computing power, robust quantitative accuracy, and multi-platform deployment capabilities. The VLA driver large model will be fully rolled out to AD Max models equipped with Orin-X and Thor-U chips alongside the delivery of Li i8.

And, to wrap up on this end, the company has also rolled in a lot of smart tech for the driver and passengers to use and play with. Here’s the info on that:

In terms of smart space, Li Auto’s in-house foundation model MindGPT-powered Li Xiang Tong Xue has evolved from a voice assistant to Li Xiang Tong Xue Agent. It can independently utilize tools, resolve complex tasks, and possess personalized memory. Nearly all in-vehicle functions of Li i8 have undergone tool-based integration for Li Xiang Tong Xue Agent, including electric air vents for climate control and windshield wipers. For complex tasks, Li Xiang Tong Xue Agent leverages Li Auto’s advanced model capabilities to understand user intent and achieve goals efficiently. For example, it can autonomously invoke tools like the Meituan app to fulfill in-store food pickup requests or activate the vehicle’s external cameras to scan QR codes in parking lots for payment. Examples also include the industry-first Desktop Master functionality that enables user-programmable code generation and the creation of tools, content, and services. Furthermore, with the June rollout of Face ID and the new family account system, Li Xiang Tong Xue Agent can remember information about each individual to deliver personalized experiences while ensuring data security—making daily use more convenient, thoughtful and emotionally resonant for every family member.

You can find more details and flowery writing about the Li i8 here.

Li i8 deliveries begin on August 20, 2025.