Large crossover Leading Ideal L9: autopilot and range of 1200 km
The Chinese company Leading Ideal, founded by media magnate Xian Li, still produces only one model: a five-meter hybrid-powered Leading Ideal One crossover priced at $53,000. But the bet on this segment turned out to be correct: in 2020, 33 thousand cars were sold, and in 2021 – more than 90 thousand units! Thus, the second model of the company will not be a mass sedan, but an even more expensive and large crossover Leading Ideal L9.
It is based on the One model and shares with it not only the platform, but also the power structure of the body, and the fundamental structure of the power unit. But there are many differences. The Leading Ideal L9 has a wheelbase increased by 165 mm (up to 3100 mm) and an original design with a single strip of navigation lights across the entire width of the front. Almost all body panels have been changed, which increased not only the length (up to 5200 mm), but also the width (1998 mm) and height (1800 mm) of the car. The original wheels are 21 inches in diameter.
A hump appeared above the windshield, in which a lidar with 128 laser beams was installed. This is the main addition to the autopilot, which already had twelve ultrasonic sensors, five millimeter radars and twelve cameras (each with a resolution of 8 megapixels). At the initial stage, the system will comply with the same second level of autonomy as the One model, but with the possibility of upgrading to the fourth level: for now this is a software problem.
The interior is brand new and there are unusual solutions. There is no usual instrument display, and the main data (speed, mileage, energy consumption) are displayed on a small screen that is mounted on top of the steering wheel hub. In addition, these parameters are duplicated on a large projection screen.
To the right of the driver are two touch screens with a diagonal of 15.7 inches each: the central one is responsible for climate control, navigation and other settings, and the passenger screen is exclusively for the media system. The Dirac audio system has 21 speakers, four of which are built into the seat backs of the first and second rows. The total power is 2160 watts.
The interior has three rows of seats, and six seats are upholstered in nappa leather, electrically adjustable and heated. The front seats also have ventilation and massagers, while the second row seats have retractable footrests. Rear passengers are offered folding tables, a refrigerator in the central tunnel and a 15.7-inch monitor in the roof.
So far, little information about the technique has been declassified. Like the One model, the Leading Ideal L9 has a sequential hybrid layout, but instead of a 1.2 petrol “turbo engine” a 1.5 four-cylinder engine is installed under the hood, which operates on the Miller economic cycle and recharges the traction battery. The wheels are driven by electric motors. A full charge of the battery should last for 200 km, and the maximum range without refueling is 1,200 km versus 1,080 km for the latest version of the One crossover.
Other features will be revealed during the premiere at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show. Then they will tell you the price. According to preliminary data, in China, the L9 model will cost 70-75 thousand dollars. But it's still much less than what the Mercedes GLS or Range Rover are asking here, which Leading Ideal considers its main competitors.
