EREV features CATL’s Freevoy battery with the largest storing a whopping 66kWh of energy.

IM Motors has opened pre-sales for the updated LS6 SUV, introducing extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants alongside existing battery electric (BEV) models.

The new EREV versions feature IM Motors’ Hengxing extended-range system, offering up to 450 km of electric-only range, alongside BEV variants capable of 750km of range.

Pre-sales begin at RMB 209,900 (£21,600 / $29,200), with the official launch scheduled for 10 September.

IM has struggled with sales during the first seven months of the year and is hoping offering hybrid variants of its models will kickstart sales with those unwilling to jump to fully electric cars, a move echoed across the industry.

The updated LS6 retains its mid-to-large SUV dimensions, measuring 4,937mm long, 1,988mm wide, and 1,671mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,960mm.

As a two-row, five-seater SUV, it competes directly with the Xiaomi YU7 and slightly smaller models like the Zeekr 7X, but with the additional variable of a hybrid variant it offers something different to both.

Two BEV variants will be offered, the Pro, priced at RMB 209,900 (£21,600 / $29,200), and the Ultra, starting at RMB 279,900 (£28,800 / $39,000).

The Pro features a 76-kWh battery, delivering a CLTC range of 650 km and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds, while the Ultra variant packs a 103-kWh battery, offering a 750 km CLTC range and all-wheel drive, achieving 0-100 km/h in 3.48 seconds.

The new EREV variants, available in Pro and Max trims, are priced at RMB 214,900 (£22,100 / $29,900) and RMB 239,900 (£24,700 / $33,400) respectively.

Both utilise IM Motors’ Hengxing extended-range system, which integrates larger battery packs to enhance electric-only driving range, with the EREV Pro variant’s 52-kWh battery offering 370 km of CLTC-rated battery range and a total range of 1,400km, and the Max variant’s 66-kWh battery extending the electric range to 450 km for a total range of 1,502km.

Both EREV models are rear-wheel drive, matching the BEV Pro’s 6.4-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.

All versions of the LS6 sit on the Lizard Digital Chassis which gets 18-degrees of rear-wheel steering to unlock a turning radius of just 4.79-metres.

Inside, the updated LS6 gets an all-new dashboard with a rather more upright, slightly art deco-style appearance that features a 27.1-inch, 5K display acting as both the driver’s information display and centre screen, as well as a 15.6-inch 3K screen embedded into the dash ahead of the passenger.

The screens are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295 chip for slick operation, and run the IM AIOS. Owners can choose between a standard steering wheel or the yoke-style steering wheel offered on the previous model.

In addition to the several screens on offer, the LS6 gets a 21-speaker sound system offering 7.1.4 surround sound, with one speaker in the engine bay for external use.

Both front and rear seats get heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while there’s also an 11-litre heating and cooling drawer in the rear capable of temperatures between -6 and 50-degrees.

Like the Xiaomi YU7, the LS6 also benefits from variant magnetic areas around the vehicle which can work with removable and customisable quick action buttons, as well as phone holders.

There’s also an electronic sunblind for keeping direct sun out of the cabin.

IM’s are well-known for their versatile cabins and the LS6 is no different, with IM showcasing several ‘scenes’ that can be quickly selected in the system.

Such options include folding the front passenger seat flat and sliding it under the dashboard for extra legroom or to act as a legrest for the rear passenger, while the front passenger seat can also be put into zero-gravity mode.

It’s also possible to fold the two front seats almost completely flat to create a chill out area for passengers to enjoy entertainment on what appears to be a fold-down screen (see the left picture above), though with a panoramic roof it’s not entirely sure how this would work.

High-end versions of the LS6 get a 520-line lidar unit above the windscreen as part of IM’s AD 3.0 advanced driving assistance system which does without high-definition maps and is powered by an Nvidia Drive Thor chip.

The updated LS6 attracted over 10,000 pre-orders within 30 minutes of the pre-sales opening, with the official launch date set for September 10th.