Key facts
- Li Auto launched its 2026 L8 extended-range SUV on June 23.
- The new L8 features an in-house developed 5C range-extender battery.
- The vehicle is available in Ultra and Livis configurations, with prices starting at 359,800 yuan ($52,900).
- The revamped L8 has a five-seat layout and advanced intelligent driving systems.
- Sales of the Li L8 have declined year-on-year in China over the past 12 months.
Chinese electric-vehicle maker Li Auto Inc. launched its new extended-range hybrid L8 model on June 23, featuring an ultra-fast-charging battery developed in-house. This move highlights a broader trend among Chinese automakers to design and manufacture their own batteries to secure supply, cut costs, and reduce dependence on dominant suppliers in an increasingly competitive market.
The 2026 Li L8 is a five-seater SUV available in two configurations: the Ultra and the Livis. The Ultra model starts at 359,800 yuan ($52,900) and the Livis at 419,800 yuan ($61,700), with official deliveries scheduled to begin this week. The exterior design incorporates a dynamic fastback silhouette, full-width front and rear lighting, and a high-gloss black rear diffuser. The vehicle measures 5,135 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,045 mm.
The Ultra model is equipped with the Mach intelligent driving assistance system, powered by a single Mach M100 chip with 1,280 TOPS of computing power, seven 8-megapixel cameras, and an ATL-P high-performance LiDAR. The Livis model elevates the experience with dual Mach M100 chips, totaling 2,560 TOPS, and includes seven 8-megapixel cameras, an ATL-P high-performance LiDAR, and three solid-state variable-focus LiDARs.
The cabin features a 29-inch 6K panoramic screen and a 21-inch 4K mobile screen. Comfort features include front-row zero-gravity seats and a five-seat, six-zone intelligent air conditioning system. The audio experience is delivered through a 4,720 W sound system with 27 speakers.
The refreshed Li L8 is powered by a 72.7 kWh 5C range-extender battery, providing a pure electric range of 430 km and a combined range of 1,670 km, with a fuel consumption rate of 6.2 L/100 km. The Ultra model comes standard with a wire-controlled "Magic Carpet" chassis, featuring dual-valve continuously variable damping shock absorbers, steer-by-wire, and rear-wheel steering, resulting in a turning radius of 5.1 meters. The Livis model is equipped with an 800V active suspension system and EMB (Electro-Mechanical Brake) wire-controlled braking.
Over the past 12 months, Li L8 sales in China have been falling year-on-year; in May, it sold 421 units, a year-on-year decrease of 92.1%.