IM Motors, the electric-vehicle brand backed by SAIC, launched the all-new L6 on August 28, positioning the pure-electric coupe as the first model under its 'NEXT・2028' strategy. The entry-level Max trim starts at 199,900 yuan (about $28,150) as a Chinese guide price before taxes and incentives, placing the car squarely in the mainstream 200,000-yuan segment.
The L6 is offered in three versions: the entry Max, a Pro Max with a 93kWh battery from CATL for extended range, and a top-spec Ultra with a 103kWh pack and all-wheel drive. According to the Chinese outlet 电动邦 (EV Kingdom), the model targets three distinct buyer profiles—budget-conscious, range-focused and performance-oriented—with a clear ladder of choices.
Standard equipment across all trims includes the new NEO architecture for the electric drive system, a fully steer-by-wire chassis, four-wheel steering with 18 degrees of articulation, the IM Claw AI assistant, B&O audio and a sunroof with smart tinting. IM Motors says the entry version shares the same core hardware as higher trims, with differences limited to battery capacity and drivetrain layout.
Technology highlights
The NEO architecture delivers energy consumption of 11.6kWh per 100km, and the 93kWh battery provides a CLTC range of 850km. That CLTC figure is roughly 15-20% more optimistic than the WLTP standard, so an estimated WLTP range would be around 680-720km. The car also supports 396kW ultra-fast charging on an 800V platform, adding 580km of range in 15 minutes, and is compatible with over 90% of public chargers in China.
The most distinctive feature is the fully steer-by-wire chassis, which IM Motors claims is a world first for a production pure-electric coupe. The system replaces mechanical links with electronic signals, responding in 20 milliseconds and enabling full steering lock with just half a turn of the wheel. The four-wheel steering reduces the turning radius, making tight maneuvers easier, and the decoupled chassis is designed to be compatible with future L3 and L4 autonomous driving systems.
Inside, the IM Claw AI assistant is described as an industry-first 'agent' that can handle complex, multi-step commands given in natural language, such as combining navigation, seat adjustment and parking assistance in one instruction. The IM AD driver-assistance system now integrates Momenta's world model, enabling navigation-on-autopilot (NOA) on nationwide roads without high-definition maps, according to IM Motors.
Design collaboration and rollout
The L6 also debuts a design collaboration with Prof. Jimmy Choo, the London-based designer known for luxury footwear. The high-fashion design language is applied across the entire range, not just special editions. A limited run of 1,000 units sold out immediately, and IM Motors has announced a second batch will be released, with buyers receiving exclusive high-fashion accessories.
Purchase incentives include lifetime battery warranty for first non-commercial owners and five years of free IM AD advanced driver-assistance features, with pre-order customers receiving lifetime access. The L6 is the first of several models under the NEXT・2028 strategy; the new-generation LS6 SUV is scheduled to launch in September, bringing the same technology to the family-oriented SUV market.
By bundling premium technology into a 200,000-yuan price point, IM Motors is attempting to reset expectations for what mainstream EV buyers can get. Whether the strategy pays off will depend on real-world performance and long-term reliability, but the L6 marks a clear statement of intent from the brand.
