Chinese Automaker Ideal Announces Unified Configuration for i8 Electric SUV, Price Reduced to $5,334
South China Morning Post (author/Li Rizhikin) August 5, Chinese automaker Ideal announced a configuration adjustment for its pure electric SUV, Ideal i8. The original Pro version and Ultra version with prices of $10,344 and $12,644, respectively, have been discontinued, leaving only the Max version available at a reduced price of $5,334.
According to Ideal, since the i8 was officially launched on July 29, 98% of customers have chosen the Max version or Ultra version. In response to customer feedback, Ideal has decided to unify the configuration and offer the i8 Max as the standard configuration, with a price reduction from $5,334 to $4,334, while also providing a 10,000-yuan platinum audio system and a rear-seat entertainment screen as an option.
Ideal has announced that customers who originally chose the Ultra version will only need to pay $5,334 for the entire configuration. Customers who chose the Pro version will be given the option of either downgrading or upgrading.
As of August 20, the i8 will officially begin delivery. Prior to this configuration adjustment, the i8 was available in three configurations: Pro ($10,344), Max ($5,334), and Ultra ($12,644). Each version is equipped with a large-capacity ternary lithium battery, dual-magnetic air suspension, front and rear electric motors, and supports 5C ultra-fast charging.
However, as a family-oriented car, the i8's entry-level configuration did not meet user expectations. To get "a refrigerator and TV," customers had to choose the $12,644 Ultra version. The Max version does not provide a 21.4-inch 3K rear-seat entertainment screen, while the Pro version does not offer an intelligent cold and warm dual-use refrigerator, resulting in lower-than-expected orders for the Pro version.
Supplementary Information: Ideal i8 Core Parameters
The Ideal i8 is positioned as a mid-to-large-sized pure electric SUV, with a 2+2+2 six-seat layout. The vehicle's dimensions are 5085x1960x1740mm, and the wheelbase reaches 3050mm.
In terms of power, the i8 features a dual-electric motor system with a combined output of 400kW (544 horsepower), and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
The Ideal i8 is equipped with a 97.8 kWh ternary lithium battery, which offers a CLTC range of 720 kilometers. The vehicle also supports full-area high-voltage charging and 5C ultra-fast charging technology, allowing it to recharge up to 500 kilometers in just 10 minutes.
After this configuration adjustment, the Ideal i8 will only offer one advanced driver assistance system, AD Max, which uses a Nvidia Drive Thor-U chip (700 TOPS processing power) and ATL laser radar to provide full-scenario NOA navigation assistance, covering city roads, highways, and parking lots.