IM Motors presents an extended-range power solution, similar to installing a conventional engine in a Tesla Model Y electric vehicle.
IM Motors Introduces Extended-Range Electric Vehicles with Hengxing System
IM Motors, the Chinese automaker, has made a significant stride in the electric vehicle (EV) market with the unveiling of its extended-range system, dubbed the Hengxing System. The system was unveiled in November 2024 and is set to power two new SUVs: the IM LS6 and the flagship IM LS9, launching in 2025.
The IM LS9, a large six-seat SUV, boasts a 65.9 kWh battery pack, providing an electric-only range of approximately 318 km. The vehicle also features a 1.5-liter 112 kW petrol engine as a range extender, combined with dual electric motors totaling 390 kW (160 kW front + 230 kW rear), producing around 673 hp. This combination results in a total driving range of up to 450 km.
The Hengxing system supports 800-volt high-voltage fast charging, enabling a peak charging power of up to 268 kW, and enabling 310 km of range in just 15 minutes of charging. The system can provide a range of up to 1,500 kilometers when fully fueled and charged.
In comparison, the Tesla Model Y, a popular EV, typically offers an electric-only range between approximately 480 km to over 525 km on a single charge. However, it lacks a range extender, which is where IM Motors' Hengxing System comes into play, offering a middle ground by blending pure EV driving with gasoline backup, providing ultra-long total range and competitive power output.
The NIO Onvo L60, another premium Chinese EV in the same segment, offers a reported pure electric range of 400-500 km, but it focuses more on full battery-electric models rather than extended range hybrids.
IM Motors' first vehicle equipped with the extended-range system is the new LS6 SUV, which will begin pre-sales on August 15. The company has planned at least 5 EREVs, according to a report, with another model equipped with this system, the LS9 large six-seat SUV, launching in the fourth quarter.
The Hengxing system is developed by SAIC Motor's electric vehicle unit. The 66-kWh battery pack is the Max variant of CATL's Freevoy battery, currently the largest battery pack in the EREV segment. The average capacity of battery packs for PHEV models in China was 29.1 kWh in June 2024, exceeding 29 kWh for the third consecutive month, according to CABIA.
The entry-level Model Y currently sold in China is equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of only 62.5 kWh and a CLTC range of 593 kilometers. However, IM Motors claims that its system can provide three times the range of Tesla Model Y with the same battery pack capacity.
In conclusion, IM Motors' Hengxing system offers a promising solution for those seeking the benefits of electric vehicles with the added assurance of a gasoline range extender. The system's high-performance charging capabilities and competitive range make it a compelling choice in the EV market.
- IM Motors, with its Hengxing System, innovatively combines electric vehicles (EVs) with range extenders, showcasing a startup's potential impact on the automotive industry.
- The Hengxing System, powering two new SUVs from IM Motors, promises an extended-range of up to 450 km with its 65.9 kWh battery pack.
- The IM LS9, a large six-seat SUV by IM Motors, boasts a 1.5-liter 112 kW petrol engine and dual electric motors, resulting in a competitive 673 hp power output.
- The Hengxing System supports 800-volt high-voltage fast charging, enabling rapid charging of 310 km in just 15 minutes.
- IM Motors' Hengxing System offers a middle ground by blending pure EV driving with gasoline backup, providing ultra-long total range and competitive power output compared to Tesla's Model Y.
- The Hengxing system is a development from SAIC Motor's electric vehicle unit, featuring a Max variant of CATL's Freevoy battery, the largest battery pack in the extended-range EV (EREV) segment.
- IM Motors claims that its Hengxing System can provide three times the range of the Tesla Model Y with the same battery pack capacity, challenging the market leader in the EV landscape.
- The introduction of the Hengxing System exemplifies China's growing influence on the automotive technology and transportation industry, shaping the future of energy and lifestyle choices.
- The new LS6 SUV by IM Motors, equipped with the Hengxing System, is set for pre-sales on August 15, with plans to release at least 5 EREVs, including the LS9 large six-seat SUV by the end of the year.
- The average battery pack capacity for PHEV models in China has exceeded 29 kWh for the third consecutive month, indicating the growing interest and support for extended-range EV technology in the region.
- With the Hengxing System, IM Motors positions itself as a player in China's rapidly growing EV market, ready to cater to the evolving needs of consumers seeking increased range and performance without compromising on the benefits of electric vehicles.
