On October 17. Li Xiang, CEO of Li Auto, posted several photos of the Li Auto MEGA on social media with the caption, "Guess the drag coefficient directly." The tone and context of the post almost overflow with a sense of smugness. From the comments of many netizens, especially Li Auto fans, it's clear that they are full of praise for the design of the Li Auto MEGA, with some even calling it a high-speed train's front end.
Indeed, looking at the real car pictures, the entire front end of the Li Auto MEGA closely resembles the bullet train-style design commonly used on high-speed trains. The sleek, rounded curves extend from the front to the rear of the car, with a large protruding windshield and a steep windshield angle. Theoretically, this should result in lower drag. Additionally, this train-like appearance gives the car a very unique and stylish look.
However, in reality, this bullet train-style design might not be too surprising for seasoned car enthusiasts, as such designs have appeared on MPVs from brands like Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet decades ago. It’s not particularly innovative but rather a new exploration in a previously treaded path.
It's also worth noting that the design of the Li Auto MEGA has sparked controversy online for allegedly copying the bullet train design of Hyundai's Staria MPV. The Hyundai Staria was released earlier and won a Red Dot Design Award in 2022. Some have even suggested that the MEGA's design bears a striking resemblance to a 20-year-old concept MPV from BYD, the MPV-ET.
Despite these controversies, the industry remains focused on and anticipates the Li Auto MEGA. According to current information, the Li Auto MEGA will feature a self-developed 800V high-voltage pure electric platform and CATL’s 5C charging-rate cells, achieving “9 minutes and 30 seconds of charging for a 400-kilometer range.” Li Xiang has also stated that the Li Auto MEGA is confident of becoming the top-selling model above 500.000 yuan, regardless of vehicle type or powertrain.
From a market competition perspective, the arrival of the Li Auto MEGA is likely to pose a threat to mid-to-large MPVs like the Wey Tank, Denza D9. Lantu Dreamer, and Zeekr 009. At present, it seems that, at least in terms of buzz, the Li Auto MEGA is already ahead of the game.
