Gasgoo Munich-IM Motors opened pre-sales for the all-electric LS8 NEO on October 29. The first five-seat flagship SUV developed under the company's NEXT·2028 strategy, the model is available in two variants, the 93 Max+ and 103 Max+, with pre-sale promotional prices starting at RMB 249,800.
Image source: IM Motors
Battery, powertrain and charging
The two battery options are paired with CATL cells produced at its Lighthouse factories. IM Motors says the cells undergo more than 7,000 quality-control checks and meet PPB-level reliability standards. The company also states that the battery can deliver more than 370 kW of power at a 20% state of charge, while technologies including reduced lithium consumption are intended to support long-term durability.
The SUV uses SAIC's latest NEO electric powertrain architecture and NEO Hurricane motors. According to IM Motors, the CLTC-rated energy consumption is as low as 15.2 kWh per 100 km. Its 800V high-voltage platform is claimed to add 529 km of range in 15 minutes and support more than 90% of public charging stations currently on the market. The automaker also reports a 95% battery charge-retention rate at -20°C.
Chassis and safety
IM Motors says the LS8 NEO is the only model in the RMB 250,000 price segment to offer a fully steer-by-wire chassis as standard across its lineup. SAIC began developing its by-wire technology in 2018 and says it has completed more than 10,000 tests and validation procedures. The automaker also describes itself as the only vehicle manufacturer in the industry with full-chain by-wire technology capabilities.
The Lizard Digital chassis-by-wire system uses three levels of safety redundancy, with IM Motors citing a 10 FIT reliability standard. The SUV also features the company's IM SynVector integrated by-wire vector torque coordination technology. According to the automaker, the system responds in 20 milliseconds and coordinates steering, braking and torque output in emergency situations to assist with braking and collision avoidance.
The chassis also includes standard rear-wheel steering with a steering angle of up to 24 degrees in both directions. IM Motors quotes a turning radius of 4.85 meters and says the system is designed to improve maneuverability in tight spaces. The steering ratio offers three adjustable settings to accommodate different driving preferences.
Driver assistance and intelligent cockpit
IM AD ZETA, developed with Momenta, uses models with L4-level capabilities to support the vehicle's L2-level driver-assistance functions and is adapted to Momenta's World Model. At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, IM Motors demonstrated the system navigating complex traffic at the Arc de Triomphe roundabout. The company says the LS8 NEO was developed to meet global standards and is scheduled to enter the European market in 2027.
The intelligent cockpit features IM Claw, an AI agent developed by IM Motors in collaboration with the Qwen large language model. It supports intent recognition, multi-agent task coordination and user-preference memory, allowing occupants to initiate multiple tasks through voice commands.
Interior and space
The cabin is equipped with a 4D mechanical massage function for the driver's seat, offering five massage modes. Standard equipment also includes a front passenger seat with an extended comfort configuration and powered rear lounge seats. The second-row seats use automotive-grade natural latex. Other standard features include a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 12.3-liter dual-door refrigerator with heating and cooling functions.
