SAIC, Alibaba-backed EV brand IM begins presale of first model L7

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- At the Auto Shanghai 2021, IM, the premium EV brand SAIC Motor jointly develops with Alibaba and Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Group, announced that the “Angle Round” version of the L7, its first mass-produced model, is priced at 408,800 yuan ($62,690) for presale. The vehicle is expected for delivery in the first quarter of 2022.

IM L7; photo credit: IM

The automaker said the first 3,000 consumers that order the L7s will be the “Angel Round” users who can enjoy some special rights, such as the lifetime free subscription and upgrades of the IMAD intelligent driving function package.

Besides, an Angel Round user, who drive a L7 for over 5,000km per year without accidents, can redeem the data accumulated from the driving process for IM's next-generation LiDAR-powered intelligent driving system. After three years, the data can be redeemed for a battery pack with capacity of 120kWh or above that enlarges the range to over 800km.

IM L7; photo credit: IM

The L7 features a pretty slim car body and frameless doors. The automaker said its drag coefficient of 0.21Cd.

The car model measures 5,098mm long and has a wheelbase spanning 3,100mm, which are close to that of the long-wheelbase BMW 5 Series.

The standard-range version launched first will be equipped with a 93kWh battery pack that enables 655km of range under the CLTC (China light-duty vehicle test cycle). In the future, the high-spec version might be armed with battery pack with capacity of up to 118kWh. Additionally, the L7 will come with both the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive version. The latter will carry an electric motor that churns out 400kW and 700 N·m.

Using wireless charging function, the L7 can be charged with around 10.5 kWh of battery capacity per hour, which can offer NEDC-rated range of 70 to 80km.