Since my short test drive of the L8 in Changzhou, I’ve been most curious about the core differences between the L8 and L9. Why do some people wait for the L8 instead of buying the L9? Conversely, why do some people opt for the L9 after seeing the L8? And why do some choose the L8 PRO over the MAX? With these questions in mind, I returned to Guangzhou and acquired a test drive L8 to reassess.
When parked side by side, the L8’s look is identical to the L9’s in almost every way, making it an excellent choice no matter the variant – whether it’s the L8 PRO or MAX. Initially, this caused some controversy over why different-priced cars would look the same. However, once you understand Apple’s approach to pricing and configuring their iPhone models, you’ll see the brilliance in this strategy. Users just need to consider the configurations, rather than the different models. Behind the L-series’ varying digits is a complex configuration system reduced to simple symbols. However, why does the L8 have two variants – PRO and MAX? Let’s see.
To differentiate between the two cars, you can look at the bottom reflective decoration of the rear end. L9 has it while L8 doesn’t. In addition, the triangular windows at the back of L9 are larger and have a more rounded angle, while those on L8 are slightly smaller and have a sharper angle.
This light strip reminds me of the Ideall ONE, and the L-Series inherits this family design philosophy. Even under the strong sun of the day when I took these pictures, the upgraded light strip technology still makes it bright and eye-catching. L8 has the title of the new-generation Ideall ONE, and I feel it is a car that bridges L-Series, with L9 being the first one released, and the new generation Ideall ONE as its successor. So to sum up, L8 MAX is a closer match to L9, while L8 PRO is an upgraded version of Ideall ONE.
If you choose L8 MAX, you can add a 21-inch wheel hub to make it almost identical to L9. The benefit of selecting the wheel hub option is that there are no issues with illegal modifications in the future.
Even sitting inside, the visual impression still makes one doubt that it is a L9, until one notices that there is no refrigerator in the car and a second row entertainment screen becomes the biggest difference between L8 MAX and PRO. I think users who choose L8 MAX more or less want a smaller L9, and envision themselves and their family enjoying better entertainment experience in the back seat.
If the appearance and interior of the two cars make it difficult to distinguish between L9 and L8, the moment I sit in the second row of L8, I can feel that it is an ideal ONE that I am familiar with. I can clearly feel the difference in space. L9 is indeed larger and more spacious than L8. It is hard to imagine that the difference between the two cars is only 138mm, but L8 is still 50mm wider than ideal ONE, enough to make me habitually cross my legs when sitting in the second row unconsciously. I even deliberately put away the rear center entertainment screen, making this MAX look like a PRO. I suddenly realize that choosing PRO is actually choosing the original ONE, a purer ONE, the ONE that we are still satisfied with even without so many high-end configurations.
Even if you sit in the third row, you need to raise the backrest. This is the beautiful legacy of the ideal 6-seat spacious layout. Compared to the Ideal ONE, which is already high-end, the third-row seats of the L-series models have added electric angle adjustment as a standard feature.
During my last test drive, I mentioned in a video that I can hardly feel any difference in driving experience between the L8 and L9. Later, when I talked to some car enthusiasts, some thought that the L8 is more flexible, probably because its body is smaller. This is also the reason why many people choose the L8 and feel that the L9 is too big and not as convenient to drive. From a driving feel perspective, I think there is really not much difference, and I believe that most people will not feel any difference except in extreme tests. The L8 is 138mm shorter and 40kg lighter, while the L9 has a closer to 50:50 body ratio. With the same three electric parameters between the two vehicles, you can experience the same driving and ride quality of the flagship L9 at the price of the L8. This is a super cost-effective experience.
During this test drive of the L8, I specially experienced the NVH of the entire vehicle running at high speeds in fuel mode. The noise control of the L9 when running at high speeds in fuel mode impressed me during the National Day holiday. This time, the L8 did not disappoint me either. At a speed of 120km/h, the four-cylinder turbocharged engine produced a deep and mellow sound, no longer carrying the derogatory name of a tractor engine. It was even quieter than a gasoline engine running at the same speed. As for the fact that the L8 is 0.2 seconds slower than the L9 in the hundred-kilometer acceleration, I am not too concerned. At this price and this level of experience, it is sufficient among the same level of vehicles.
Let’s take a look at the fuel consumption at last. As this is a media test drive car, the teacher who drove it before might not have driven it lightly. Combined with our power consumption, the car has a power consumption of 20 degrees per hundred kilometers, which is not low.
But if I tell you that this is the power consumption of L8 with this photo, you will believe it, because both cars have the same interior and dashboard. Haha, this is the daily power consumption of my L9, and 17 degrees is the normal value. I forgot to take a picture of the fuel consumption. Many people tell me that the ideal fuel consumption is high. I always tell them that the ideal fuel consumption is the lowest among the cars I have driven.
As an ideal L9 user, I sincerely suggest to friends who think L9 is too big and have been waiting for Ideal ONE for a long time that now is the right time to buy L8. Blindly pre-ordering without regrets and before October 31st, there are 5000 optional equity golds to offset the optional configuration. After picking up the car, you will find that you didn’t just buy a car, hehe, more fun will be shared slowly in the future.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.