When is a car more than just a car? That’s the question IM Motors is asking with its flagship LS9 SUV. Forget just getting from A to B. The LS9 wants to know if you’d like a shower and heated floors when you get there. Launched in China, this six-seat hybrid isn’t just stirring up dust with its tires, but with a wild set of lifestyle options that have the market talking.
IM Motors, part of the SAIC group, rolled out the LS9 with a starting price of 322,800 yuan (about 44,900 USD). It’s an [EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle)], meaning it uses a gas engine as a generator to charge its 66 kWh battery. This setup delivers a respectable 402 km of pure electric driving and a massive combined range of up to 1,508 km, perfect for long trips. But it’s the optional extras that are stealing the headlines.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | 322,800 | CNY | ≈ 44,900 USD |
| Battery capacity | 66 | kWh | Powers the “Stellar” extended-range system |
| Pure-electric range | 402 | km | Combined range up to 1,508 km |
| Powertrain | EREV | — | Extended-Range Electric Vehicle |
A Spa Day on Wheels?
For an extra cost, buyers can add two particularly unusual features. The first is a graphene-based underfloor heating system, designed to bring the cozy comfort of a heated home floor to your car. The second, and far more controversial, is an “outdoor-luxury” pack. This package includes a hidden 10-litre heated water tank, a shower head, and a privacy curtain.
The reaction was immediate. Critics jumped on the features, calling them impractical gimmicks. They argue that ten liters is barely enough for a quick rinse, not a proper shower. Plus, adding plumbing to a vehicle introduces complexity, eats up valuable space, and drains the battery. For them, a car should focus on driving dynamics and transport, not trying to be a rolling bathroom.
Niche Needs or Clever Marketing?
On the other side, supporters argue that these amenities could be genuinely useful for a small but dedicated group of buyers. Imagine finishing a muddy hike or a day at the beach and being able to wash off before getting in the car. For families with young kids or avid campers, it’s a convenience that no other SUV offers. Likewise, the underfloor heating could be a dream for drivers in China’s frigid northern regions.
This kind of bold experimentation is becoming a signature of the [Chinese auto market], where automakers are constantly looking for an edge. It’s a strategy that echoes the success of brands like [Li Auto], which built a loyal following by turning its SUVs into luxurious family command centers on wheels.
The View From the Engineer’s Seat
IM Motors’ CTO stepped in to defend the design choices. He acknowledged that from a pure engineering standpoint, adding a shower might seem “childish.” However, he insisted the ideas came directly from studying user behavior and demands. He pointed out that many potential customers in northeast China have heated floors at home and would appreciate that seamless comfort in their vehicle.
He framed it as offering flexibility for daily life and travel, not replacing the SUV’s core function. By making the features optional, IM is letting the customer decide. It’s a bet that for the right person, these “gimmicks” are game-changing conveniences that deepen the connection between owner and vehicle, even competing with [market leaders like BYD].
So, is the IM LS9 pushing boundaries or just pushing a gimmick? While most drivers probably won’t be taking daily showers in their SUV, the debate itself proves that the definition of a car is changing. In a packed market, IM Motors isn’t just selling a vehicle, it’s selling a lifestyle, one heated floor and ten-liter shower at a time. It’s a bold move, and in today’s EV landscape, bold moves get you noticed.
