The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto has introduced the L9 Pro wallet-friendly luxury electric SUV that forgoes LiDAR technology in favor of a vision-based driving system. This bold move challenges the industry’s prevailing trend, where most car manufacturers are heavily investing in LiDAR for autonomous driving capabilities.

The Li L9 Pro, a sibling to the previously released Li L9 Max, retains most features of its counterpart but comes at a significantly lower price point. Priced at 429,800 yuan ( $60,173 USD), the L9 Pro is 30,000 yuan ($4,200 USD) cheaper than the L9 Max version, making it a highly attractive option for potential customers seeking a luxury electric SUV without breaking the bank.

One of the primary differentiators between the two models is the intelligent driving configuration. The  L9 Pro is equipped with Ideal Intelligent Driving AD Pro, powered by a single Horizon Robotics Journey 5 chip with a total computing power of 128 TOPS. This system relies solely on vision, leveraging 23 cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and ultrasonic radar for navigation, eschewing the use of LiDAR.

In contrast, the Li L9 Max features the Ideal Intelligent Driving AD Max, equipped with one LiDAR, two Nvidia Orin X chips, and a powerful total computing power of 508 TOPS. This system provides full-scene assisted driving capabilities, including high-precision mapping for NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) features.

Li Auto’s decision to offer two versions of the L9 model allows customers to choose between the cost-effective L9 Pro and the feature-rich L9 Max. Both models share other configurations, such as Li Auto’s Magic Carpet Air Suspension, Li Intelligent Space SS Max+ technology, three OLED screens, an in-car refrigerator, and over 100 other options for enhanced comfort and convenience.

Li Auto’s commitment to expanding its market share and staying competitive in the growing electric vehicle market is evident. The company aims to challenge a monthly sales volume of 40,000 units by the end of this year. In June and July alone, Li Auto delivered over 30,000 vehicles, surpassing its previous sales records.

The L9 Pro is now available for pre-order, with deliveries expected to begin in August 2023. The absence of LiDAR in this version may not make it a fully autonomous vehicle, but with its advanced vision-based driving system and competitive pricing, the Li L9 Pro undoubtedly presents an enticing option for those seeking a luxury electric SUV without the hefty price tag.

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