The Li Auto i9 flagship electric SUV was seen in China during road tests wearing heavy camouflage ahead of the official debut. This crossover will rival the upcoming third-gen Nio ES8, aiming to solidify Li Auto’s position in the highly competitive BEV segment.
Li Auto is a well-known Chinese NEV maker that previously manufactured only extended-range electric vehicles (EREV). This strategy allowed Li to surge its sales and become the first profitable Chinese NEV startup in China. In 2024, the company entered the BEV segment. However, the first attempt wasn’t successful with the launch of the Mega minivan. Its sales fell short of expectations.
This summer, Li Auto launched its second battery-electric model, the i8 crossover. There is no information about its sales performance yet. However, Li Auto reduced the number of trim levels available for the i8 shortly after sales began. This move could be considered a worrying sign for this model.
Despite difficulties, Li Auto keeps pushing its BEV line. In September, the company will release the i6 entry-level electric SUV. On September 3, the flagship model of the i-series, allegedly called i9, was seen in China during road tests.
Li Auto i9 spy shots
A Chinese outlet, Autohome, shared spy shots of the Li i9 electric SUV. This model was seen during road tests, wearing heavy camouflage. However, we can easily distinguish it by its sleek A-pillars and a thin LED taillight unit. The spotted vehicle adopts headlights integrated into the front bumper, a LiDAR sensor in the roof, and five-spoke wheels.
There is no information about the specs of the Li Auto i9. However, it is clear that this SUV is larger than the previously launched i8. We will remind you that the latter vehicle offers hefty dimensions of 5085/1960/1740 mm with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. The i9 will most likely offer a length of around 5.3 meters, challenging the third-gen Nio ES8 that is currently the biggest Chinese BEV.
Powertrain of the Li i9 will most likely align with the i8. It will offer a dual-motor 4WD with a combined peak power output of 400 kW (536 hp). For clarity, it is in line with the first-generation Zeekr 001 electric liftback available for purchase in Europe. The front e-motor generates 150 kW (201 hp), and the rear one has an output of 250 kW (335 hp). The i9 will likely adopt the 97.8 kWh ternary NMC battery.
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