2026 Stelato S9 gets Huawei’s most advanced ADS 4

28 October 2025

Technology giant Huawei continues its push into the EV market, not just as a supplier, but as a core partner. The latest effort from its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) is the 2026 Stelato S9, a large sedan that just received its first update.

Stelato, one of several brands under Huawei's guidance, is rolling out this refreshed S9 with an official launch planned for November. The update polishes a few existing details and, more importantly, packs in Huawei's latest self-driving hardware.

At first glance, the new S9 doesn't look radically different from last year's model. It keeps the same large, flowing shape as the previous model. The front end still features its "Universe Headlight" design, but now includes a new "Universe Star" emblem. The headlights themselves get a new name: "Brilliant Star River." These names suggest Stelato's marketing department is quite fond of astronomy.

More practical changes include new wheel designs and the option for electronic exterior mirrors, replacing traditional glass with cameras for customers looking for a more futuristic look. The taillight bar, a must-have item for modern electric cars, has been redesigned into a "Nebula Through-type" cluster. A new chrome strip sits above it, adding a touch of premium feel.

In a classic design shuffle, the "Stelato" brand name, which used to sit above the taillights, has now been moved to the space below them. It's a small change, but it's the kind of detail designers love to debate. What hasn't changed is the S9's significant size. This is a large sedan, clearly built for comfort and executive presence.

Just how big is it? The Stelato S9 measures 16.93 ft long, 7 ft wide, and 4.89 ft tall, and the wheelbase is a generous 10.01 ft. These dimensions translate directly into a spacious interior cabin, a key selling point for the luxury EV market. This is a large cruiser designed to compete with other premium electric cars where back-seat legroom is just as important as battery range.

The real headline for the new Stelato S9 isn't the shiny new emblems. It's the brain. The sedan gets an upgraded Huawei Qiankun ADS 4, the company's advanced intelligent driving assistance system. This is where Huawei flexes its technology muscles.

The hardware list starts with four LiDAR sensors, a distributed 4D mmWave radar matrix, and it ends with a total of 36 high-precision sensors. This extensive sensor suite is designed to create a highly detailed, 360-degree view of the car's surroundings, powering sophisticated driver aids with higher levels of autonomy.

Stelato gives buyers two distinct powertrain choices, both heavily featuring Huawei technology. The first option is a pure electric vehicle built on a modern 800V platform, which should allow for very fast charging speeds. This version uses a single drive motor with a maximum output of 227 kW - about 304 horsepower. Stelato claims this pure EV model will have a range exceeding 497 miles.

The second option is an extended-range electric vehicle. The EREV model uses Huawei's "Xuexiao" intelligent range-extender system - a small gasoline engine that acts as a generator to recharge the battery, never driving the wheels directly. This setup is for drivers who want the EV experience without the range anxiety, and Stelato claims a combined CLTC range of over 808 miles.

Via