Li Auto, a moderately popular electric carmaker in China with less than a decade in business, has introduced its first pure-electric vehicle, having previously offered only range-extended EREVs.
Luxury electric MPV
The luxury electric MPV, known as Mega, is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most expensive electric vehicles available.
The Li Auto Mega, or simply Li Mega, is priced at 559,800 yuan ($78,700/PKR 21.99 crore) and is aimed at rich families in China.
Li Auto
Li Auto claims that the Mega is the world’s largest mass-produced passenger electric car, measuring 5,350mm in length, 1,965mm in width, 1,850mm in height, and with a 3,300mm wheelbase.
In comparison, the new Kia Carnival premium MPV measures 5,155/1,995/1,775 mm and has a 3,090 mm wheelbase.
Despite its massive size, the Mega, branded by Li Auto as a “highway bullet train” because to its streamlined bullet-style design, stylish styling, and remarkable drag coefficient of 0.215 Cd, is a very agile machine.
Acceleration
The Li Mega can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds thanks to dual motors totaling 400 kW of power (a 245 kW synchronous permanent magnet e-motor at the rear axle and a 155 kW asynchronous induction motor at the front axle) and 542 Nm of torque.
Battery
The Li Mega is powered by CATL’s Qilin 5C ternary NMC battery, which has a cell cycle life of more than 50%. The 102.7 kWh battery provides 710 km of CLTC range (575 km WLTC).
The Mega’s rated charging power is 400 kW, with a peak charging capability of more than 520 kW. As a result, the Mega will be able to restore 80% of its energy within 12 minutes.
7 Seaters
Inside, the Mega provides excellent accommodation for seven passengers in a 2+2+3 configuration. Li Auto makes use of its spacious interior by installing sofa-like seats with built-in massagers, providing passengers with comfortable journey experiences.
Furthermore, to keep guests refreshed during their voyage, the vehicle includes reclining captain chairs, fold-flat seats, a 17-inch rear fold-down movie screen, and even a built-in fridge.
The centre console features Li Auto’s unique screen configuration, which includes two 15.7-inch displays, a small touch screen on the steering wheel, and a big AR HUD. The heads-up display can project images from the side-view cameras.
This multimedia system is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8295P SoC. Other notable features include 21 speakers, two 50 W wireless phone charging pads, first and second-row seats with a 16-point massage function, a driver’s seat with an adjustable cushion hardness and side support, and heated seats.
Autopilot (NOA) system
Li Auto Mega is outfitted with the AD Max autonomous driving technology, which consists of two Nvidia Orin-X chips with a total computational capability of 508 TOPS.
It also has a LiDAR sensor from Hesai, 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, and a millimetre wave radar.
The Li Auto Mega’s sophisticated hardware enables full-scenario navigation on the Autopilot (NOA) system.
It can drive itself on city streets and highways. The vehicle has nine airbags, and its torsional rigidity is a remarkable 44,000 Nm/degree.
Mass production has already begun, and Li Auto has announced that Mega deliveries will begin on March 11.
The model’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for the carmaker, which became profitable for the first time in 2023. The company supplied 376,030 units in 2023, exceeding its yearly sales target of 300,000 units.
To read our blog on “Chinese automaker BYD reveals a floating vehicle,” click here