The Li Auto i8 is the corporate’s second absolutely electrical car, following the Li Mega MPV. It enters the market formally as a big three-row pure electrical SUV positioned within the mid-to-high-end household section.
With dimensions of 5085/1960/1740 mm and a wheelbase of three,050 mm, the i8 competes with different mid-to-large electrical SUVs however borrows closely from the MPV playbook. The mannequin adopts a low-drag design with a coefficient of 0.218 Cd, among the many lowest for its dimension. Li Auto has emphasised practicality and refinement, equipping the car with superior suspension, clever help programs, and premium in-car options equivalent to zero-gravity seats and a 21-inch rear leisure display screen.
Pricing and market rollout place the i8 beneath the Mega MPV, focusing on households that need three-row flexibility with a sportier picture.
Exterior
The i8 encompasses a streamlined physique that reduces air resistance. The entrance fascia strikes the daytime operating gentle strip to the hood line, giving a minimalist look the place headlights appear hidden. Sign lamps are solely 7 mm tall, one of many thinnest within the business. From the aspect, the car resembles a teardrop, with flush surfaces and a progressively sloping roofline to enhance airflow.
In particular person, the silhouette is much less SUV-like and nearer to a big MPV, with a protracted cabin profile and upright glass areas that emphasize inside area over ruggedness. On the rear, the design is extra restrained in contrast with the Mega’s distinctive tail therapy. Black paint is utilized above the beltline, together with the roof and pillars, to decrease the silhouette visually.
Floor clearance begins low at parking peak however could be raised through the air suspension system to boost stance and usefulness.
Inside
The i8’s cabin retains Li Auto’s acquainted dual-screen entrance structure, now joined by a small steering wheel show and a big HUD. The decrease seating place and distant windshield create a extra car-like cockpit, with sportier seats that includes increased bolsters. Ambient lighting provides full-length LED strips, and a number of color themes, together with brighter tones, are supplied to focus on youthful patrons.
Within the second row, a zero-gravity seat with prolonged leg assist is operated by way of voice or display screen controls. A foldable tray, local weather show, and huge fridge add utility, whereas a 21-inch motorized roof show, with app and Bluetooth distant management, comes bundled with a streaming rearview mirror. The third row offers one of many extra pure seating positions within the section, with ample legroom, a flat ground, and a few headroom compromise from the sloping roofline.
Giant door openings assist entry, although sliding doorways are absent. The second row adjusts for legroom and recline, and its raised base leaves footwell area for third-row passengers. Cargo capability is reasonable, becoming a number of 20-inch suitcases, with restricted hidden storage. Folding the third row expands area however leaves a step within the ground reasonably than a flat floor.
Driving Expertise
In city driving, adaptive damping helps the car soak up damaged pavement and velocity bumps, although sharper ridges stay noticeable in contrast with conventional luxurious SUVs. Visibility is usually good, although the sloping roofline barely limits rear sightlines. Noise insulation is robust, preserving tire and suspension sounds in examine at city speeds and limiting wind noise round mirrors and pillars on expressways.
On highways, the Li Auto i8 feels secure and safe, aided by a large observe, rigorously tuned suspension, and well-balanced weight distribution. The twin-motor AWD model delivers brisk acceleration and robust passing energy. Steering is calibrated for confidence, providing clear suggestions with out being overly sharp, making long-distance driving secure and manageable.
Regenerative braking has been rigorously calibrated, with a number of ranges permitting each gentle deceleration and close to one-pedal driving. Transitions between regenerative and mechanical braking are clean. Vitality consumption averages round 17 kWh/100 km, and the i8 helps Li Auto’s 5C fast-charging community for speedy recharging on lengthy journeys. Whereas precise CLTC ranges should not confirmed, the SUV is positioned to satisfy household journey wants with environment friendly power administration and dependable charging infrastructure.
The i8 consists of Li Auto’s driver-assistance suite, masking lane-keeping, computerized lane adjustments, and automatic parking. The system performs reliably on highways, dealing with lane merges and site visitors eventualities successfully. In advanced city situations, equivalent to navigating bicycles, pedestrians, or irregular site visitors, help reveals some limitations, highlighting areas for future refinement.
Verdict
The Li Auto i8 is formally positioned as a family-oriented three-row electrical SUV, but in apply, its design and cabin structure lean strongly towards MPV traits. It prioritizes aerodynamics and effectivity whereas providing sensible options such because the zero-gravity seat, 21-inch rear show, and huge fridge. House utilization is efficient throughout all three rows, although cargo flexibility shouldn’t be class-leading.
Driving dynamics surpass the model’s earlier L sequence fashions, and effectivity paired with 5C charging enhances usability. Shortcomings embrace reliance on voice controls as an alternative of bodily seat buttons and restricted hidden storage. Total, the i8 consolidates Li Auto’s presence within the electrical people-mover section, delivering a product that blends SUV advertising and marketing with MPV practicality.
Keep tuned for subsequent week’s Sunday China Drive at Automotive Information China, the place you may learn extra first-person evaluations of Chinese language automobiles.
