The Successor of Li Auto MEGA? Li Auto i8 Officially Launched
On July 29, Li Auto officially launched its second pure electric vehicle — the Li Auto i8. As a 6-seater pure electric SUV, the new model arrives in three configurations, priced from 321,800 to 369,800 RMB. With a maximum electric range of 720 km, the i8 enters the market aiming to shake things up in the premium EV segment. But does it have what it takes to lead?
Catalog
✨ Futuristic Exterior Design: A Blend of Tech & Fashion
Unlike the design language used in Li Auto’s range-extender SUV series, the i8 showcases a brand-new, futuristic aesthetic. Its front fascia bears resemblance to the Li MEGA, with a raised hood and sharp contour lines that convey muscular strength.
The iconic Star Ring LED light strip, crafted with micro-curved optical tech, delivers stunning welcome and lock animations. Below it lies a closed front grille trimmed with matte metal accents. The dual-lens arrow-feather LED headlights offer adaptive high/low beam functionality, enhancing night-time driving safety.
One of the key hardware highlights is the roof-mounted next-gen ATL LiDAR, supporting the i8’s advanced autonomous driving capabilities.
🚗 Side & Rear Styling: Muscle Meets Elegance
On the side, a sculpted waistline stretches from the front to the rear, slightly rising at the door handles to create a powerful stance. The i8 comes standard with 21-inch closed forged wheels featuring a radial five-spoke gunmetal design, matched with Michelin e·Primacy 2nd-gen silent tires for optimized NVH performance and a smoother ride.
At the rear, the i8 continues the full-width taillight design, echoing the Star Ring motif from the front. The 3D light guide inside the taillights offers a progressive lighting effect when braking, increasing nighttime visibility. A black diffuser panel at the bottom echoes the vehicle’s side trim, tying the design together.
With dimensions of 5085 x 1960 x 1740 mm and a wheelbase of 3050 mm, the i8 delivers a spacious and comfortable cabin experience.
🛋️ Interior: Family-Oriented Yet Sophisticated
Inside, the i8 retains Li Auto’s signature family layout while upgrading key details. A new ring-shaped ambient lighting system stretches from the dashboard to the door panels, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere.
Air vents have been repositioned toward the top to free up more storage space below. The cockpit adopts a dual-screen layout for driver and passenger, eliminating the traditional instrument cluster. Instead, key driving data is shown via a steering wheel display and HUD (Head-Up Display).
The center console is both functional and refined, featuring integrated storage, a car refrigerator, wireless charging, and a hidden physical control panel.
🧠 Tech & Intelligence: Leading the Way in Smart Driving
Beyond its standard LiDAR, the i8 debuts Li Auto’s VLA Driver Large Model, built on the next-gen MindVLA intelligent driving platform. It’s powered by NVIDIA’s Drive AGX Thor-U chip, delivering a staggering 700 TOPS of computing power. This enables highly advanced autonomous driving performance.
Other premium features include dual-chamber air suspension and Continuously Damping Control (CDC) for enhanced ride comfort and driving stability.
⚡ Powertrain: Built on 800V Platform for Speed and Efficiency
The i8 sits on an 800V high-voltage architecture, equipped with Li Auto’s self-developed silicon carbide motors and dual-motor all-wheel drive across the entire lineup. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
The vehicle is fitted with a 5C ternary lithium battery pack, offering a maximum CLTC range of 720 km. Even more impressively, it supports ultra-fast charging, delivering 500 km of range in just 10 minutes — a game-changer for long-distance EV travel.
🧐 Final Thoughts: Will the i8 Redeem the MEGA?
While the Li MEGA struggled to find strong market traction last year, the new i8 appears to offer a much more well-rounded package, with competitive specs, refined design, and advanced smart features. It just might be the breakthrough Li Auto needs in the all-electric space.
So, what do you think? Could the Li Auto i8 be your next electric SUV? Please explore our blog for the latest news and offers from the EV market.
