MG enters luxury arena with IM5 and IM6 EVs

The premium carpark has a new entrant with the arrival of IM Presented by MG Motor.

Revealed today at the Melbourne motor show alongside a barrage of new products, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV introduce a new level of premium electric vehicles from Chinese-owned MG and more direct competitors to the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

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Built on the same Scalable Modular Platform as the popular MG 4 hatchback, the IM5 and IM6 are longer, wider, ride on an extended wheelbase and feature exclusive sheetmetal and powertrains.

While MG has yet to provide final pricing and specification details for the two models, it has outlined that both the IM5 and IM6 will be offered with the choice of either a single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive variants.

The IM6 will be available across two model grades – the eponymous entry-level IM6 in RWD with a 75kWh battery pack that’s powered by a 217kW/450Nm rear-mounted electric motor, and flagship Platinum specification.

The latter can be had in either RWD (with a 100kWh battery and 300kW/500Nm motor) or in a dual-motor AWD configuration with a 100kWh battery and maximum outputs of 572kW and 802Nm.

The IM5 sedan will be exclusively offered in the Platinum specification and with the 100kWh battery, but buyers have the option of either RWD (300kW/500Nm) or AWD (572kW/802Nm) configurations.

As for charging times and driving range, the 75kWh battery pack in the base-model IM6 can be replenished between 30-80 percent in just 20 minutes and delivers approximately 505km of range on the NEDC cycle.

All other variants fitted with the 100kWh battery can be recharged between the same capacities in just over 15 minutes and provide between 600km (IM6 AWD Platinum) and 755km (IM5 RWD Platinum) of range on the NEDC cycle.

Both models feature a host of innovative elements, including 12-degree bidirectional four-wheel steering that MG claims improves the vehicles’ low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.

It even includes a ‘Crab Mode’ that allows the vehicle to move diagonally, giving drivers the ability to easily glide sideways out of tight spaces and awkward angles.

It also uses artificial intelligence technology for One Touch parking features, such as the Side Parking which automatically corrects parallel parking manoeuvres and Reversing which retraces the exact route taken over the previous 100 metres of travel, essentially mimicking the driver’s inputs backwards.

The AI functionality also extends to the Rainy Night Mode, which uses the array of exterior cameras and sensors to detect potential blind spots, both in the A-pillar, side and rear blind zones, and displays real-time images of pedestrians or vehicles through the driver’s 26.3-inch touch screen when driving.

Speaking of which, both the IM5 and IM6 have a twin digital screen layout with a super-wide 26.3-inch unit that extends from in front of the driver across to the centre console with a second 10.5-inch screen in front of the passenger.

Both model grades feature a high quality 20-speaker sound system and voice control, while the dashboard features magnetic panels to which mobile devices such as tablets and phones can easily be attached.

IM Presented by MG Motor will offer a colour palette with six exterior choices – Ares Black, Athena White, Rembrandt Grey, Raphael Beige and Nevis Blue – and two interior trim choices, Dover Beige and Highland Grey.

The IM models are developed in partnership between MG’s parent company, SAIC, and a host of China’s leading technology brands, including Alibaba.

“We are very excited to bring IM Presented by MG Motor to Australia,” said MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao.

“The technology, the luxury, and the performance of the IM5 and IM6 will astound drivers. I can’t wait for Australian drivers to experience the four-wheel steering capabilities, the AI technology and premium finishes within the cabin and the performance of these vehicles, they are truly remarkable.

“Australia will be the second international market, outside of our domestic Chinese market, to launch the IM vehicles. 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.”