Li Auto shrinks its L9 SUV to make L8 and L7

Li Auto, also known as Leading Ideal, a carmaker founded in China by entrepreneur Li Xiang, has unveiled two new SUVs called the L7 and L8. Both are based on the same hardware and tech as the L9 flagship that premiered this spring, but are smaller in size and lack some options.

The L8 is 5,080 mm long, making it 138 mm shorter than the L9. Its wheelbase amounts to 3,005 mm (minus 100 mm compared to the L9). The interior still seats seven people with a 2+2+3 formula. Despite having separate seats in the front row, the trim spec offers no premium features like folding tables or footrests. The only thing you can opt for here is a ceiling-mounted multimedia display.

The L7 is even shorter at 5,050 mm with the same wheelbase as the L8. It is a five-seater with a bench seat for three in the second row. Options include power adjustments and the multimedia screen mentioned above.

The driver gets the relevant info from a small steering wheel display and a heads-up display. Large touchscreens can also be found in the middle of the dashboard and in front of the front passenger.

Propulsion for both cars comes from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine acting as a generator for two electric motors rotating the wheels (serial/range-extender hybrid). The combined output is 449 PS (443 hp / 330 kW) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque.

Compared to the L9, which comes equipped with a 44.5-kWh traction battery, the L7 and L8 make do with a slightly smaller 42.8-kWh pack. Their CLTC-rated driving range in all-electric mode amounts to 210 km (130 miles), but filling the gas tank to the max gives you 1,315 km (817 miles) of range. The standard sprint time for both cars is around 5.5 seconds.