The Li Auto L9 Pro trim level launched in China one year after the Li Auto L9 Max hit the market. It looks like Li Auto continues the Chinese price war by launching a more affordable configuration of its flagship model. The L9 Pro has less self-driving functions, fewer sensors, and more basic chips. As a result, its price tag was lowered by 6.5% to just 429,800 yuan (59,860 USD). Let’s get to the Li Auto L9 better.
First, let’s talk about the Li Auto business in China. We will remind you that it is one of the first Chinese NEV startups, alongside with Nio, Xpeng, Weltmeister, etc. But in contrast with all the mentioned brands, Li Auto sells not electric vehicles but hybrid SUVs with ICE acting like a generator. They are usually called as ‘range extenders’.
The very first model of the Li Auto was the Li Auto One that has already left the market. Currently, the brand has three models: L9, L8 and L7. Li Auto sales are great in China. From January to July, they delivered over 173,000 vehicles. As for the July alone, over 34,000 units were delivered. Nowadays, Li Auto wants to increase the sales of its flagship SUV, the L9. So, this is why they have launched its cheaper version.
Li Auto L9 Pro
The Li Auto L9 Pro stays in line with the L9 Max in terms of dimensions, exterior and interior styling and powertrain. We will briefly remind you that the L9 is a full-size SUV with dimensions of 5218/1998/1800 mm and a wheelbase of 3105 mm. For clarity, the L9 is 37 mm longer, 220 mm narrower and 35 mm lower than the latest BMW X7. In terms of styling, the L9 has a signature 2-meter LED strip in the front end, retractable door handles and classy proportions. It is equipped with an air suspension.
As for the interior, the L9 Pro has a six-seat layout and a twin screen in the center console. It consists of two 15.7-inch monitors. As for the instrument panel, the L9 hasn’t got one. Instead, it has a small screen right on the steering wheel and an HUD. Worth mentioning that rear passengers have also got their own 15.7-inch screen mounted on the ceiling. You can operate it with speech and movements.
The powertrain of the L9 Pro is represented by two electric motors that generate 449 hp and 620 Nm. With them on board, it can speed up from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Under the hood, the L9 has a 1.5-liter ICE that acts like a generator. It powers the 44.5-kWh ternary (NMC) battery. Its usable capacity reaches 39.2 kWh. The L9 Pro can run up to 215 km (CLTC) on a single charge. As for the mixed range, it reaches 1,315 km (CLTC).
Li Auto L9 Pro self-driving system
As mentioned, the Li Auto L9 Pro is quite similar to the L9 Max. But its self-driving system was simplified. First, the L9 Pro has fewer sensors. It has one 8MP camera instead of six in the L9 Max. The L9 Pro also hasn’t got a LiDAR sensor, and it hasn’t got LED smart headlights. Speaking about the sensors the L9 Pro has, they are one 8MP camera, nine 2MP cameras, one millimeter-wave radar and twelve ultrasonic radars. As for the self driving chips, the L9 Pro has a single Journey5 processor from Hozon Robotics for 128 TOPS. We will remind you that the L9 Max got two Nvidia Drive Orin-X chips for 508 TOPS.
As a result, the L9 Pro has a less complex driving assistance system called AD Pro. So, its self-navigation driving works only on highways, while the L9 Max has the all-scenario self navigation driving function. Besides that, the L9 Pro stays in line with the L9 Max. As for the price difference, we have already mentioned that the L9 Pro costs 429,800 yuan (59,860 USD). As for the L9 Max, its price tag reaches 459,800 yuan (64,280 USD). So, the price of the new trim level is 6.5% lower.
According to various Chinese reports, complex self-driving systems have high demand in first-tier Chinese cities like Shanghai, Beijin, Guangzhou, etc. At the same time, less rich and populous cities have a lower demand for such systems. So, Li Auto makes its product more attractive to customers in smaller settlements. Worth mentioning that the Li Auto L9 is still seemingly more expensive than the L8. We will remind you that the L8’s price range is 339,800 – 399,800 yuan (47,500 – 55,890 USD).
Source: Li Auto, Li Auto Weibo
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