People movers are hot property in China, and electric models are becoming increasingly common.
Fledgling Chinese brand Li Auto is now entering the fray, and the boldly styled Mega looks like nothing else in this segment.
The seven-seater boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.215, not far off the 0.20 figure of the slippery Mercedes-Benz EQS.
It’s plain to see how Li Auto has achieved this, with the Mega boasting smooth lines, minimal detailing, and a decidedly dramatic roofline for a people mover.
The company likens it to a high-speed train, with its airy cabin – with 8.26m3 of glass – intended to evoke the sensation of riding a sightseeing train in Europe.
As with other Li Auto models, there’s a small screen in the steering wheel, and a large screen assembly stretching from the centre of the dashboard over to the passenger side.
The Mega measures 5350mm long, 1965mm wide and 1850mm tall on a 3300mm wheelbase. For reference, a Kia Carnival is 195mm shorter, 30mm wider and 75mm lower on a 210mm shorter wheelbase.
Li Auto claims energy consumption for the Mega is just 15.9kWh per 100km.
It uses an 800V electrical architecture and a Qulin 5C 102.7kWh ternary lithium battery sourced from CATL, with claimed peak charging power of 520kW and the ability to add 500km of range in just 12 minutes.
The Mega uses a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain with 400kW of power and 542Nm of torque, good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds.
It rides on front double wishbone and rear H-arm multi-link suspension, with dual-chamber air suspension and continuously variable shock absorbers.
The Mega will be priced below ¥600,000 (A$127,564), with deliveries set to begin in China in February 2024.
Li Auto is named for its founder Li Xiang, with its first vehicle – the plug-in hybrid One SUV – entering mass production in 2020. It has subsequently been replaced by the L7, L8 and L9 SUVs, all of which use plug-in hybrid powertrains.
MORE: Brand overview: Li Auto
