Chinese automaker IM Motors has opened pre-sales for the second-generation LS6, a five-seat electric SUV that starts at 209,900 yuan (about $29,600, Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives). The model, revealed on September 10, brings a suite of technologies from the brand's upcoming LS9 flagship down to a price bracket that many family buyers are watching.
According to EV视界 (EV Horizon), the LS6 is not just a longer options list. It aims to address the anxieties that dominate family EV ownership: loss of control, charging hassle, cold-weather range loss, fatigue on long trips, and restless children. The core differentiator is a full-by-wire chassis, which IM calls the "Lingxi" system. Unlike conventional hydraulic or mechanical steering and braking, the LS6's steering, braking, and torque vectoring are all electronically controlled, with aviation-grade triple redundancy. The system can intervene in torque and braking within 20 milliseconds, potentially preventing collisions before they happen.
In everyday terms, the by-wire setup enables a tight 4.49-meter turning radius thanks to rear-wheel steering, making U-turns in narrow alleys or parking garages easier. On highways, the system distributes torque to each wheel individually, reducing body sway during lane changes. Drivers can also adjust the steering ratio across three settings, letting different family members tailor the feel without changing cars.
IM argues that safety standards for family SUVs should go beyond crash-test stars. "Five stars prove the structure is strong after an accident; by-wire helps you avoid the accident in the first place," the company says. For families, fewer sudden braking scares and fewer lane-change mistakes matter more than two extra airbags, it contends.
Battery and charging strategy
The LS6 offers three battery options: a 76 kWh pack with a CLTC range of 650 km (about 404 miles; WLTP est. 520-552 km), a 93 kWh pack with 782 km CLTC (about 486 miles; WLTP est. 626-664 km), and a 103 kWh pack with 750 km CLTC (about 466 miles; WLTP est. 600-638 km). IM emphasizes energy efficiency, claiming a consumption of 12.7 kWh per 100 km. The vehicle supports 800V charging with a peak power of 396 kW, adding 500 km of range in 15 minutes. Importantly, it is compatible with over 90% of public charging piles, avoiding the power drop many EVs face at unfamiliar stations.
For cold climates, the LS6 can charge stably at -20°C and retains up to 95% of battery capacity, reducing the winter range penalty common in EVs. The 782 km version, in particular, allows weekend round trips of 300 km without stopping to charge, a convenience that keeps children asleep and parents calm.
Battery safety is rated at PPB-level reliability, with fast cutoff capability. IM notes that many buyers in this price segment do not have a second petrol car as backup, so battery trust directly influences how far they dare to travel.
Intelligence and comfort
The LS6 uses a Momenta world model with IM AD Zeta to unify urban, highway, and parking assistance into one driving logic. The focus is on practical assistance: smooth stop-and-go traffic, confident highway ramps, and self-parking in unfamiliar garages. The cabin debuts the "IM CLAW" agent, which can execute compound commands like "the child needs a nap, my wife wants to watch a show, and I need to pick someone up" by adjusting seats, climate, screens, navigation, and reminders in one go. This goes beyond simple voice Q&A, IM says.
Comfort features are generous across the range. The driver's seat offers 4D mechanical massage, claimed to be seven times stronger than pneumatic systems. The front passenger seat has zero-gravity, recliner, and forward-folding modes. The rear seats recline up to 131 degrees electrically, and ventilation, heating, and massage are standard on all seats. A B&O sound system and an 11-liter dual-door refrigerator are also standard. IM highlights a 90% cabin space efficiency, meaning the car's usable room is more honest than its wheelbase number suggests.
The LS6's pre-sale price undercuts many rivals while bundling features that are often optional elsewhere. IM's strategy is to offer a transparent, fully loaded package rather than a low-priced base model that tempts buyers into costly add-ons. As the company puts it, technology should not be about piling expensive parts into a cheap car, but about making life easier for the whole family.
Based on reporting by EV视界. Edited and published in English by geisou.
