On September 10, the brand-new IM LS6 officially launched its pre-sale campaign, with prices starting from 209,900 yuan. However, IM is clearly not aiming to compete solely on price. As the first pure electric family SUV under SAIC's 'NEXT·2028' strategy, the new IM LS6 aims to deliver a bolder message: it brings the technology and experience expected in 2028 to 200,000-yuan family SUVs ahead of schedule.

The most remarkable aspect of this vehicle is not a single feature but its overall strategy. It comes standard with a full wire-controlled chassis across all trims, incorporating technology that was previously exclusive to million-yuan luxury vehicles or available only as high-end options. This makes it a fundamental capability of a family SUV. Consequently, the competition in the 200,000-yuan market will shift from 'who has the longest feature list' to 'who adopts the earliest technology cycle'.

Priced at 200,000 Yuan, with Standard Configuration Strategy as the Key Differentiator

The new IM LS6 is positioned as a 'full wire-controlled large five-seater family SUV,' with pre-sale prices starting at 209,900 yuan. During the pre-sale period, orders come with benefits such as cash discounts, limited-time free upgrades to high-end configurations across all trims, and lifetime free access to the full-featured IM AD high-level assisted driving package. The first non-commercial owners also enjoy a lifetime warranty on the battery pack.

At first glance, a starting price of 209,900 yuan may not seem excessive in the current market. However, IM's competitive edge lies in its configuration strategy: the full wire-controlled Lynx chassis comes standard across all trims; rear-seat ventilation, heating, and massage functions are standard across all trims; and family-oriented features like B&O audio, 4D mechanical massage, and an 11L dual-opening refrigerator are offered as limited-time free upgrades. Compared to competitors, the LS6's approach is clear: it aims to make what others offer as options standard, and what others reserve for top trims available across all trims or as limited-time benefits.

This strategy is highly appealing to family buyers. The biggest concern when purchasing a family car is 'ending up with a 300,000-yuan bill after adding options to a 200,000-yuan base price.' IM aims to alleviate this option anxiety this time.

Chassis as the Core Narrative: Shifting from 'Five-Star Safety' to 'Safety Before Loss of Control'

The most significant highlight of the new IM LS6 is the next-gen full wire-controlled Lynx chassis. It comes standard with wire-controlled front-wheel steering, wire-controlled rear-wheel steering, Continental MK C2 wire-controlled braking, high-performance four-piston fixed calipers, and Brembo brake discs across all trims.

IM defines its safety as 'aerospace-grade triple safety redundancy,' emphasizing 10FIT reliability, which surpasses the aerospace standard of 100FIT; dual ECU switching time is less than 20ms, and in extreme cases, the rear-wheel steering and braking system serve as a third layer of backup.

In simpler terms, IM aims to drive a conceptual shift: traditionally, family SUV safety was judged by C-NCAP five-star ratings, focusing on body rigidity and the number of airbags; whereas the full wire-controlled chassis emphasizes 'safety before loss of control.' If five-star safety pertains to safety after a collision, then wire-controlled safety is about preventing loss of control.

In terms of data, the LS6's four-wheel-drive variant has a minimum turning radius of 4.49m, while the two-wheel-drive variant has 4.79m. The steering wheel can be turned half a circle to reach full lock, and it supports three adjustable steering ratios: 180°/240°/503°. In comparison, the Zeekr 7X has a turning radius of 5.7m, and the Li Auto i6 has 5.8m. For a large five-seater SUV with a length of 4937mm and a wheelbase of 2960mm, this flexibility can make a noticeable difference during test drives.

Of course, the value of a wire-controlled chassis ultimately depends on reliability, redundancy design, and long-term durability verification. IM needs to convince consumers that wire-controlled technology is not just a gimmick but a fundamental upgrade in safety and driving control.

Tri-Electric and Charging Capabilities: What Family Users Want is 'Value in Every Kilometer'

The new IM LS6 features the next-gen NEO tri-electric architecture, with an official energy consumption of 12.7kWh per 100km. For the 76kWh battery variant, this translates to a cost as low as 4 cents per kilometer. For family users driving over 10,000 kilometers a year, this energy efficiency gap translates to significant savings.

In terms of charging, the vehicle adopts a full-domain 800V high-voltage platform, supporting up to 396kW ultra-fast charging. It can recharge 500km of range in just 15 minutes, and the 103kWh battery variant can achieve up to 530km of range in 15 minutes, compatible with over 90% of charging stations on the market.

In low-temperature environments, it can still charge stably at -20°C, with a battery retention rate of up to 95%. In terms of range, CATL's 93kWh 'gold-efficiency' battery achieves 782km of CLTC range. Battery safety reaches PPB aerospace-grade reliability, equipped with rapid shutdown devices that cut power within 2-5ms upon detecting risks, and it emphasizes zero spontaneous combustion since delivery.

From a market perspective, the competition among family pure electric SUVs has shifted from 'how large the battery is' to 'how far it can go per kWh, how fast it charges, and how stable it is in winter.' The new LS6 provides clear answers in all these dimensions.

Intelligence: From 'Chatty' to 'Capable'

In terms of intelligence, IM continues its partnership with Momenta. As Momenta's sole founding lighthouse partner in the industry, the two companies hold stakes in each other and co-develop technology.

The new LS6 is equipped with IM AD Zeta assisted driving, leveraging L4-level model capabilities to empower L2 functions. It fully adapts to Momenta's world model, supporting map-free NOA nationwide, covering scenarios such as highway ETC, roundabouts, and U-turns at intersections. It also offers one-touch AI valet parking and will receive OTA updates for park-to-park navigation assistance and memory parking in the future.

In the smart cabin, it introduces the industry-first IM Claw Lobster AI Agent. It is no longer just a 'voice assistant that answers questions' but an AI Agent capable of understanding vague intentions, automatically breaking down tasks, and executing cross-domain commands. The official description is 'one sentence to get a series of tasks done,' and it will directly connect to Alibaba's AI ecosystem in the future.

The story of being in the top tier of intelligent driving is no longer novel in the 200,000-yuan segment, but 'physical AI + AI Agent' is the differentiation IM aims to establish. The real test lies in whether the experience is complete at delivery, whether the OTA pace keeps up, and whether users are willing to pay for 'capable AI.'

Comfort Without a 'Boss Seat': Every Seat is First-Class

Traditionally, comfort competition in family SUVs often revolved around the 'boss seat.' The new IM LS6 declares 'every seat is first-class.'

It offers nearly 90% interior space efficiency, with 992mm of rear legroom and 1422mm of rear shoulder room. The rear seatbacks can be electrically adjusted up to 131°. All seats come standard with ventilation, heating, and massage functions. The driver's seat is equipped with the only 4D mechanical massage seat standard across all trims in its class, with massage intensity seven times that of pneumatic massage. The front passenger's 'super right-side first-class seat' supports three modes: zero-gravity, chaise lounge, and forward-folding seat.

Additionally, Danish B&O audio comes standard across all trims, featuring 7.1.2 channels, 16+1 speakers, and a peak power of 3036W. The 11L smart dual-opening refrigerator, four-door soft-close doors, 105L front trunk, and nearly 30 storage compartments also target high-frequency family travel scenarios. Compared to stacking screens or gimmicky features, these configurations are closer to 'how can a family sit more comfortably.'

Impact of the NEXT·2028 Strategy: Competition Shifts from Feature Lists to Technology Cycles

'NEXT·2028' is IM's product strategy for 2028, and the new IM LS6 is the first family SUV under this strategy. SAIC's 70 years of automotive experience, combined with three 'next-gen' technologies—the next-gen NEO tri-electric architecture, the next-gen full wire-controlled Lynx chassis, and the next-gen full-domain physical AI intelligence—are concentrated in this vehicle.

Therefore, IM confidently states that technology for 2028 will not wait until 2028 to be released but will be delivered first in the 2026 LS6.

This brings multiple impacts.

First, the competition dimension changes. In the past, 200,000-yuan SUVs competed on feature list length, screen count, and seat functions; the LS6 attempts to shift the competition to technological generations, especially capabilities like full wire-controlled chassis that 'cannot be compensated for with option packages.'

Second, safety standards may be rewritten. If the market accepts 'five-star safety is about post-collision safety, while wire-controlled safety is about preventing loss of control,' then discussions about safety in 200,000-yuan family SUVs may extend from crash test ratings to active loss-of-control prevention, wire-controlled redundancy, and chassis digitization.

Additionally, million-yuan wire-controlled technology, rear-wheel steering, and 400,000-yuan luxury configurations are brought down to the 200,000-yuan segment by the LS6. Compared to competitors, the LS6 differentiates itself in chassis, energy efficiency, and some comfort configurations.

Of course, challenges exist. Users in the 200,000-yuan segment are highly price-sensitive, and new technologies like wire-controlled chassis and AI Agents require education costs. Whether the IM LS6 can convert its technological advantages into sustained sales depends on delivery quality, real-vehicle experience, and channel services.