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Discover the Affordable Marvel from China Giving Tesla Model 3 a Run for Its Money

Jan 14, 2025 feyree

The IM L6 is a competitively priced automobile with dimensions similar to Tesla’s Model 3 and boasts extraordinary performance and an impressive list of features. The Chinese market offers a multitude of reasonably priced electric car options, revolutionising the traditional auto industry and the constant competition sparked is leading to a survival-of-the-fittest scenario. 
Consequently, Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are substantially less expensive than their American counterparts but still provide immense value. A prime example of this is the IM L6, a high-speed fastback competing with Tesla’s Model 3, equipped with a wide array of features and seemingly unmatched performance. 
IM Motors is a collaborative effort between China's state-run SAIC Corporation, Alibaba Group, and investment firm ZJ High-Tech. They came together in 2020 to rival Tesla, Nio, and other burgeoning Chinese brands. 
The L6 stands out as it is among the first cars, particularly in China, to include a semi-solid-state battery (SSB) pack. IM Motors alleges that the premium variant of the L6 features a 133 kilowatt-hour SSB, attaining a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) as per China Light-Duty Test Cycle (CLTC) standards. 
YouTube channel, Out of Spec Reviews, hosted by Kyle Conner and friend to InsideEVs community, recently had the experience of driving the L6 in China. Conner seemed to have tested the Performance model, directly rivaling the Model 3 Performance within the Chinese market. 
Conner commended the astounding software, exceptional performance and the inclusion of unique features like crab walk and lidar, not typically found in the U.S. Model 3 price range. The IM L6 Performance version is priced at 305,900 yuan ($42,300) comparatively less than the Model 3 Performance valued at 335,900 yuan ($46,000) in China. 
The initial impression of the L6's packaging left Conner underwhelmed. Despite its unique EV framework, the L6’s frunk is minimum and trunk space doesn’t quite measure up to the Model 3. However, the driving experience is fundamentally divergent. 
The L6 provides an optional airplane-like steering yoke and three broad screens adorning the dashboard, offering seamless operation and a rapid refresh rate. The vehicle’s software is driven by superior automotive processors and chips: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 and Nvidia Orin X. 
The interior might not be exceptional, with products like the Xiaomi SU7 offering a more premium feel, according to Conner. However, from a software and driving perspective, the L6 is truly unique. 
To begin with, the Performance variant utilises a 900-volt architecture, all-wheel drive, and its engines deliver 776 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It includes a Track mode with adjustable power distribution between front and rear. Also, the traction control and dampers are adjustable. 
Conner reported an extremely comfortable ride. Yet, with a simple button press, the car's demeanor can change completely from a relaxed sedan to an unruly beast. 
The video-game-like user interface allows for the activation of a launch mode that, according to Conner, makes it faster than Tesla. (The Model 3 Performance claims a 0-60 miles per hour time of 2.9 seconds. The L6 reportedly accelerates to 62 mph from a complete stop in just 2.74 seconds.) 
Check out the video above. It beautifully exhibits intriguing (and honestly desirable) developments in China’s EV market, showing their formidable advancements in producing software-driven vehicles that are both economical and cutting-edge.

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