IM LS9 Hyper Set for July 16 Launch: Three-Motor AWD, Steer-by-Wire Technology, and Premium Six-Seat Luxury
Futuristic Design with Exclusive Hyper Styling
The LS9 Hyper retains the sleek, futuristic design of the standard LS9, featuring a closed front grille, a 2.4-meter full-width LED light bar, and split LED headlights that emphasize both modern styling and aerodynamic efficiency.
To distinguish the Hyper version, exclusive "HYPER" badges and dedicated logos are added to the D-pillars, front fenders, and the lower right section of the tailgate, highlighting its flagship status.
The SUV measures 5,279 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, and 1,806 mm high, with a 3,160 mm wheelbase, positioning it firmly in the full-size six-seat SUV segment.
Four-Wheel Steering Delivers Exceptional Maneuverability
Despite its large dimensions, the LS9 Hyper offers remarkable agility thanks to its 24-degree bi-directional four-wheel steering system.
The system reduces the turning radius to just 4.95 meters, comparable to that of a compact hatchback such as the Volkswagen Polo. This significantly improves U-turns, parking, and maneuvering in tight urban environments, making the large SUV much easier to drive.
Premium Six-Seat Cabin with Triple-Screen Cockpit
Inside, the LS9 Hyper features a luxurious 2+2+2 six-seat layout designed for maximum passenger comfort.
The cabin includes an advanced triple-screen setup consisting of:
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27.1-inch 5K Mini LED integrated display for the instrument cluster and infotainment system
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15.6-inch 3K Mini LED front passenger entertainment display
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21.5-inch roof-mounted rear entertainment screen
Luxury equipment includes a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, second-row zero-gravity seats with massage functions, an onboard refrigerator, panoramic entertainment features, and spacious lounge-style seating, creating a premium travel experience for both families and business users.
Three-Motor AWD Produces 550 kW of Power
Powering the LS9 Hyper is SAIC's first mass-produced three-motor vector all-wheel-drive system.
The drivetrain consists of:
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One 160 kW front electric motor
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Two 195 kW rear electric motors
Together, the system delivers a combined maximum output of 550 kW (approximately 748 horsepower).
According to official figures, the SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in around 3 seconds, placing it among today's high-performance electric SUVs.
For comparison:
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Tesla Model Y Performance: approximately 3.7 seconds
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NIO ES8: approximately 4.1 seconds
Extended-Range Powertrain with 308 km Electric Range
The LS9 Hyper adopts an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain.
A 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (engine code 15FNE) serves exclusively as a range extender, generating electricity without directly driving the wheels.
Energy is supplied by a 65.9 kWh ternary lithium battery, providing a WLTC pure electric driving range of 308 km, which is more than sufficient for most daily commuting needs.
World's First Mass-Produced Four-Wheel Steer-by-Wire System
One of the LS9 Hyper's biggest technological highlights is its mass-produced four-wheel steer-by-wire system.
Unlike conventional steering systems, there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. Instead, steering inputs are transmitted electronically to steering actuators controlled by advanced software. Buyers can also choose the optional YAT half steering wheel.
To ensure maximum safety, the system features an aviation-grade triple-redundancy architecture, with dual backup systems for power supply, communication, controllers, and steering actuators.
Working together with IM Motors' Lizard Digital Chassis 3.0, the vehicle integrates steering, braking, suspension, and power delivery into a unified control system for faster response, greater stability, and improved driving precision.
Advanced Intelligent Driving Hardware
The LS9 Hyper comes standard with premium intelligent driving hardware, including:
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520-line ultra-long-range LiDAR
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NVIDIA Thor computing platform
The 520-line LiDAR offers a detection range of up to 300 meters, placing it among the most advanced production automotive sensors available today.
The NVIDIA Thor chip provides sufficient computing power to support future over-the-air software upgrades and increasingly sophisticated autonomous driving capabilities.
On the software side, the vehicle is equipped with the IM AD Max intelligent driving assistance system, jointly developed with Momenta. Features include traffic officer gesture recognition, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Automatic Emergency Steering (AES), and other advanced driver assistance technologies.
Expected Pricing
The current LS9 Ultra models are available with promotional prices of RMB 322,800 for the 52 Ultra and RMB 352,800 for the 66 Ultra.
Industry expectations suggest that the LS9 Hyper will be priced RMB 20,000–30,000 higher, placing it in the RMB 350,000–380,000 range.
If priced within this range, buyers will receive a full-size six-seat SUV equipped with:
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Three-motor vector all-wheel drive
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Four-wheel steer-by-wire technology
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NVIDIA Thor intelligent driving platform
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520-line LiDAR
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Premium luxury cabin
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Advanced digital chassis
This combination would make the LS9 Hyper one of the strongest value propositions in China's premium new-energy SUV market.
