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IM L6

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IM L6
IM L6 at the Geneva International Motor Show
Overview
ManufacturerIM Motors
Also called
  • MG IM5 (Australia)
Production2024–present
AssemblyChina: Shanghai
DesignerCentral Saint Martins
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style4-door sedan
Layout
Related
Powertrain
Electric motor
Power output
  • 216–579 kW (294–787 PS; 290–776 hp)
Transmission1-speed direct-drive
Battery
Electric range
  • 618–822 km (384–511 mi) (CLTC)
  • 575–655 km (357–407 mi) (WLTP)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Length4,931–4,937 mm (194.1–194.4 in)
Width1,960 mm (77.2 in)
Height1,474 mm (58.0 in)
Curb weight2,040–2,250 kg (4,497–4,960 lb)

The IM L6 is a battery electric compact executive car produced by Chinese automobile manufacturer IM Motors, also known as Zhiji Motors, a joint venture between SAIC Motor, Pudong New Area and Alibaba.

Overview

[edit]

During its presentation at the Geneva International Motor Show in late February 2024, the Chinese company SAIC Motor not only presented the IM Motors portfolio to the European public for the first time, but also its new, fourth model. It was the mid-size L6, developing the stylistic concept of the LS6 SUV presented a year earlier.[1]

The car gained a slim, soaring silhouette with boomerang-shaped headlights, a gently sloping roofline and a characteristic bulge on the rear trunk lid with an additional window under the spoiler. The body was covered with a large, panoramic window that smoothly connected the rear part of the body with the roof.[2] Despite the lack of a separate third body, the L6 became a 4-door sedan.[3]

The passenger compartment was maintained in the aesthetics typical of other IM models, with a yoke in place of the traditional steering wheel and an extensive screen system. One, placed at an angle, was located in the lower part of the dashboard at the junction with the center tunnel, while another, extended package of three screens stretched across the entire width of the cockpit.

The first market where the L6 went on sale was China in May 2024, 2 months after its global debut. In addition, the manufacturer also planned to expand its market reach to selected Western European markets in 2025, being distributed within the MG Motor network.[4]

IM L6 rear
IM L6 front seat

2025 facelift

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The 2025 facelift for the L6 was previewed at Auto Shanghai 2025 on April 18 where pre-orders began, and was launched on May 13 with deliveries beginning on May 19.[5][6][7]

IM L6 2025 facelift

The exterior features minor changes and grows by 6 mm (0.24 in) in length, with the front badge moved to the hood, chrome side mirror mounts and window trim, and a more streamlined LiDAR unit. The headlights have new adaptive features, and the ISC Intelligent Light Language taillight LED display is upgraded from monochrome to color, which IM claims is an industry first. There is a new Matisse Red paint color available along with a new sports wheel rim option.[5][6]

The interior features new accent trim designed in collaboration with Central Saint Martins, upgraded materials on the yoke steering wheel, and a new elliptical steering wheel option. The front seats have a new heated massage function, and have adjustable cushion firmness. The panoramic sunroof has 10 levels of individual dimming for the front and rear rows.[5][6]

The L6 is equipped with a new Lizard Digital Chassis system, which integrates the brake-by-wire system, four-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, and air suspension into a single control unit. According to IM, this allows the L6 to detect a tire blowout within 300 milliseconds and compensate for it by managing braking force, steering angle, and suspension ride height to ensure the vehicle can safely travel in a straight line or around curves while maintaining control. The rear wheels can turn up to 18 degrees, allowing for a 4.69-metre (15.4 ft) turning radius. The air suspension has 60 mm (2.4 in) of ride height adjustment with five modes and a leveling feature when parked, and the adaptive dampers have 45% higher bandwidth than previous models.[5][6]

The base model was upgraded with 800 V power electronics and a more powerful 329 hp (245 kW; 334 PS) motor.[5][6][7]

Powertrain

[edit]

All variants of the L6 are battery-electric and use a single motor for rear-wheel drive, except for the dual-motor Performance all-wheel drive variant.

At launch, it was available in four variants. The base Standard model has a CALB-supplied 74 kWh LFP battery pack and 400V power electronics paired with a 216 kW (290 hp; 294 PS) motor for 618 kilometres (384 mi) of range on the CLTC cycle. The midrange Long Range model has an 83 kWh NMC pack supplied by CATL and 800V power electronics paired with a 248 kW (333 hp; 337 PS) motor for 688 kilometres (428 mi) of range. The high-end Ultra Long Range model has a CATL-supplied 100 kWh NMC pack and quasi-900V power electronics, paired with a 300 kW (402 hp; 408 PS) motor for 822 kilometres (511 mi) of range. The Performance AWD variant uses an IM-developed Hurricane rear motor, capable of 379 kW (508 hp; 515 PS) and speeds up to 21,000 RPM, paired with a 200 kW (270 hp; 270 PS) front motor for a total of 776 hp (579 kW; 787 PS). It can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.74 seconds and has a top speed of 268 km/h (167 mph).[8][9]

For 2025, the entry variant with a 74 kWh battery gets paired with 800V power electronics and a more powerful 245 kW (329 hp; 333 PS) motor for 645 km (401 mi) of range; the 83 kWh pack option was dropped from the lineup.[5][7]

Lightyear Edition

[edit]

At the L6's launch event at the Geneva Motor Show, IM representatives spoke of a variant using a solid-state battery to achieve up to 1,000 kilometres (621 mi) (800 km (500 mi) WLTP) of range.[10] At the L6's technology showcase event on 9 April 2024, IM clarified that the battery, a 130 kWh pack dubbed Lightyear Battery and marketed as "solid-state", was actually using a semi-solid state electrolyte.[8][11] On its launch day on May 13, IM said that the Lightyear edition would be available to order later in the year in September 2024, with deliveries beginning in October.[9]

According to information revealed by IM at the L6's April 9 technology event, Lightyear battery uses a ultra-high-nickel cathode and a silicon-carbon composite anode. It uses an IM-developed and patented 'nano-scale' electrolyte, which IM says has high ionic conductivity and temperature resistance. The electrolyte uses a dry-process solid-layer integrated molding manufacturing technique, which IM says reduces the cell's internal resistance for faster charging, and solves silicon-based material's high expansion problem to achieve usable longevity. With the help of the quasi-900V power electronics, the pack is capable of a peak charge rate of 400 kW, allowing it to recharge 400 km (250 mi) in 12 minutes according to IM.[12][13] The battery supplier is Qingtao Energy Development Group (Chinese: 清陶能源; pinyin: qīngtáo néngyuán) based in Kunshan. It was founded in 2016 by Nan Cewen, a professor at Tsinghua University and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.[9]

In December 2024, a regulatory filing for the L6 Lightyear Edition's sales license was listed by the MIIT, which is the final legal step for a vehicle to be sold in China. It revealed that the battery pack has a capacity of 123.7 kWh and has a weight of 621 kg (1,369 lb). It allows for a CLTC range rating of 1,002 kilometres (623 mi), and a curb weight of 2,330 kg (5,140 lb) compared to 2,250 kg (4,960 lb) for the similar Performance AWD model. The front motor is a slightly weaker 190 kW (255 hp; 258 PS) unit than the Performance AWD model, resulting in a total of 763 hp (569 kW; 774 PS).[14][15]

Chinese market specifications
Model Year Battery Power Torque Range (CLTC) 0–100 km/h (62 mph) Top speed
Type Volt.
Standard 2024 74 kWh LFP CALB 400V 216 kW (290 hp; 294 PS) 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) 618 km (384 mi) 5.6 s 200 km/h (124 mph)
Max 2025– 800V 245 kW (329 hp; 333 PS) 430 N⋅m (317 lb⋅ft) 645 km (401 mi) 5.9 s
Long Range 2024 83 kWh NMC CATL 248 kW (333 hp; 337 PS) 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) 688 km (428 mi) 4.6 s 220 km/h (137 mph)
Ultra Long Range 2024– 100 kWh NMC CATL 900V 300 kW (402 hp; 408 PS) 822 km (511 mi) 222 km/h (138 mph)
Ultra Performance AWD 579 kW (776 hp; 787 PS) 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) 750 km (466 mi) 2.74 s 268 km/h (167 mph)
Lightyear AWD — 123.7 kWh semi-solid state 569 kW (763 hp; 774 PS) 1,002 km (623 mi)

Sales

[edit]

After opening on 9 April 2024, IM received 10,000 pre-orders for the L6 within 23 hours, and surpassed 29,000 pre-orders by its launch day on 13 May.[16] After its launch on 13 May 2024, the L6 achieved 6,000 firm orders after 48 hours.[17]

Year China
2024 23,705[18]

References

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  1. ^ "New IM L6 is coming to the UK and gunning for the Tesla Model 3". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  2. ^ "IM L6 debuts at the Geneva Show". 26 February 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ^ "IM L6 brings its 100kWh solid state battery to Geneva - sets its sights on UK market". Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  4. ^ "MG z dumą prezentuje markę premium IM na targach w Genewie" (in Polish). Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Huang, Zhengqiao (18 April 2025). 新款智己L6预售权益价21.99万起 Ultra版不到30万！5月13日上市 [The pre-sale price of the new IM L6 starts at 219,900 yuan, and the Ultra version is less than 300,000 yuan! It will be launched on May 13]. www.autohome.com.cn. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Yuan, Yang (13 May 2025). 全新智己 L6 上市：全系四轮转向、最高续航 850 公里，上市权益价 20.49 万元起 [The new IM L6 is launched: all-wheel steering, maximum range of 850 kilometers, and listing price starting from 204,900 yuan]. www.ithome.com. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Zhang, Phate (13 May 2025). "IM Motors launches updated L6 sedan with unchanged starting price". CnEVPost. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b Leung, Adrian (9 April 2024). "IM L6 launched in China, solid-state battery with 1,000 km range". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Chen, Dong Yi (13 May 2024). "IM L6 with semi-solid state battery enters market, price starts at 30,400 USD". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  10. ^ Andrews, Mark (29 February 2024). "IM L6 to launch in May, solid state battery gives 1000 km range". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  11. ^ Andrews, Mark (15 April 2024). "IM L6 with semi-solid state battery to launch May 13". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  12. ^ Andrews, Mark (25 March 2024). "IM L6 – world's first production car with a solid state battery". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  13. ^ Leung, Adrian (8 November 2024). "IM L6 receives approval, featuring semi-solid-state battery and 400 kW fast charging". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  14. ^ Chen, Dong Yi (6 December 2024). "IM L6 EV with semi-solid state battery has 1,002 km range". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  15. ^ Leung, Adrian (8 November 2024). "IM L6 receives approval, featuring semi-solid-state battery and 400 kW fast charging". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  16. ^ Andrews, Mark (11 May 2024). "IM L6 breaks 25 year old moose test speed record". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  17. ^ Chen, Dong Yi (16 May 2024). "IM L6 sold over 6,000 units 48 hours after launch". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  18. ^ "【易车销量榜】全国2024年智己汽车零售量销量榜-易车榜-易车". car.yiche.com. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
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