With grand ambitions to be an even bigger name in Australia, MG’s new IM5 and IM6 models are tasked with taking on established premium car brands.
MG Australia will look to strengthen its market position in Australia with the launch of its IM-branded products – high-end, all-electric vehicles that could be priced close to $100,000.
Two models – the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV – will spearhead the launch, due to arrive in local showrooms later this year, and both models share an electric-car platform.
The cars will wear ‘MG Motor’ badges on their tailgates – in addition to IM logos front and rear – and will be sold in MG showrooms alongside the brand’s other models, from MG 3 city hatchbacks to Cyberster sports cars.
Prices are due to be confirmed closer to the IM models’ showroom arrival – due mid-year – but the least expensive of the cars is planned to start from less than $100,000, MG has said.
Starting with the IM5 sedan, both rear- and all-wheel-drive models will be available exclusively in Platinum trim, powered by a 100kWh battery.
The IM6 SUV will also be offered in RWD and AWD configurations, though it also adds an unnamed rear-drive base grade with a smaller 75kWh battery, while 100kWh versions will be available with seven seats.
According to NEDC lab testing, the IM5 RWD features the longest claimed driving range of the bunch, with 755km, followed by the equivalent IM6 at 670km.
AWD versions of the IM5 and IM6 have a claimed 625km and 600km respectively, while the smaller battery in the entry-level IM6 is rated to travel up to 505km.
NEDC testing is more lenient than the more common WLTP protocols quoted by most electric-car brands, as well as real-world driving.
The 100kWh battery-equipped IM5 and IM6 models feature faster charging, able to boost their batteries from 30 to 80 per cent via an appropriate charger in 15.2 minutes, according to the brand, while the base 75kWh IM6 needs 20 minutes to do the same.
Aside from the driving range and recharge speeds, power and torque outputs also vary depending on drivetrain.
The base IM6 features a 217kW/450Nm electric motor for a claimed zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds, while Platinum RWD IM5 and IM6 models up the ante to 300kW/500Nm to cut the run to 4.6sec and 5.4sec respectively.
With an additional electric motor from the front axle outputting 200kW/302Nm, as well as an increase in power to the rear axle to 372kW, the AWD IM5 and IM6 are the most potent of the bunch, reducing the 0-100km/h sprint to a claimed 2.74sec and 3.48sec respectively.
As a large, all-electric sedan, the IM5 sizes up against the Mercedes-Benz EQE and BMW i5, measuring 4931mm long, 1960mm wide, 1474mm tall, and with a 2950mm wheelbase.
Boot capacity is listed at 457 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1290L with the rear seats folded.
Meanwhile, the IM6 goes up against large electric SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, BMW iX, and Cadillac Lyriq thanks to a 4904mm long, 1988mm wide, and 1669mm tall footprint.
The IM6 shares the same 2950mm wheelbase as the IM5, but as a taller SUV, it features a larger boot with a 665L quoted capacity, increasing to 1640L when the rear seats are stowed.
From launch, five exterior colours will be available – Ares Black, Athena White, Rembrandt Grey, Raphael Beige, and Nevis Blue – while customers can also opt for beige or grey interior trim.
Exact features are yet to be confirmed by MG, but the brand is touting rear-wheel steering available on both IM models, allowing for tighter turning at low speeds and increased stability when driving quickly.
A ‘crab mode’ is also available to the IM5 and IM6, allowing both cars to travel diagonally by rotating the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts at low speed.
Both new IM models will also be offered with automated parking, One Touch reverse (where the car will remember the pathway into a parking space and retrace its steps), and a Rainy Night mode to improve safety in low-light situations.
Coupled with this, a massive 26.3-inch display encompasses both infotainment and the instrument cluster, while an additional 10.5-inch screen is also nestled between front occupants for auxiliary functions.
MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao said the new IM models highlight the prominence the local market plays in the Chinese brand’s future, projecting to become a Top Five selling brand by the end of 2027 and a Top Three brand not long after that.
“Australia will be the second international market, outside of our domestic Chinese market, to launch the IM vehicles,” he said.
“This proves the importance of the Australian market to our brand globally and also the potential we believe the Australian market has when it comes to luxury electric vehicles.
“These are truly beautiful cars that will challenge the luxury electric vehicle segment. These models will begin arriving in Australia in the coming months, I can’t wait to see them on the road.”
Full pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the IM models’ market introduction.
The post MG Australia’s entry into luxury car market detailed with IM5 and IM6 appeared first on Drive.