Li Auto opens presales for i8 electric SUV in China
Li Auto has started presales for its first fully electric crossover, the i8, in China with a price range of 350,000 to 400,000 yuan (about 41,670 to 47,600 euros). Reservations require a refundable deposit of 5,000 yuan (about 600 euros). The market launch is scheduled for 29 July. The EV will be on display at dealerships and available for test drives from 30 July.
The i8 measures 5 m in length and is just shy of 2 metres wide. It is 1.7 m high and has a wheelbase of 3.05 m, making it 4.8 cm longer than the Tesla Model X. Its drag coefficient is 0.218 Cd, slightly outperforming the Tesla Model Y at 0.220 Cd.
The electric crossover adopts a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup with a front motor outputting 150 kW and a rear motor delivering 250 kW. Combined system output is 400 kW, enabling a top speed of 180 kph. Two battery variants are available: 90.1 kWh and 97.8 kWh. The larger battery pack supports 5C fast charging technology, enabling the addition of 500 km of range in 10 minutes. The energy consumption of the i8 lies between 14.6 and 14.8 kWh per 100 km.
Inside, the six-seater SUV features a white steering wheel, ambient lighting, and 3-cm foam seat cushioning for enhanced comfort. The front and second-row seats have soft pillows on the headrests, while the second-row right seat reclines to 145 degrees with a power-elongated leg rest reaching a maximum angle of 78 degrees.
The third-row seats offer 87.5 cm of legroom, exceeding the 79.9 cm offered in the larger Li Auto L9 EREV model. Further interior features include cooled wireless charging pads, a speaker positioned in front of the driver, and a sunroof with 99.9% UV blocking capability. The i8 also comes with dual-chamber air suspension as standard.
The Li i8 was initially revealed in February 2025, later than initially planned. The carmaker had intended to launch its second EV before the end of 2024. However, its first all-electric model, the Li Mega, unveiled in 2023, did not perform as well as expected, and sales figures remained well under target. Nevertheless, the official reason was Li Auto’s intention to set up its own HPC charging network in China and lack of parking spots in showrooms across the country.
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