Luxury performance brand unveiled by MG as a direct rival to Tesla's dominance
New Luxury Performance Brand IM Launches with Premium EV Offerings
Chinese car manufacturer MG has unveiled a new premium electric vehicle (EV) brand called IM (Intelligence in Motion or Intelligent Mobility). The IM brand offers two models: the IM5 electric sedan and the IM6 electric SUV.
The IM cars come with a host of premium features, including a large 26.3-inch screen and a secondary 10.5-inch screen, premium finishes, and a top-tier sound system with up to 20 speakers.
The entry-level IM cars come with a rear-mounted 217 kW motor, while the variants with the 75 kWh battery deliver a range of 550 km NEDC for the IM5 sedan and around 450 km for the IM6 on the WLTP cycle. The larger 100 kWh packs deliver more range on both models. For the IM5 sedan, it's 575 km on the Performance variant, while the Platinum gets up to 655 km of WLTP range.
IM cars' batteries feed RWD and AWD powertrains, with the Performance AWD variants delivering up to 572 kW of power. The IM5 Performance can do the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds in the Performance variant.
One of the key differences between MG's IM brand and its standard MG offering lies primarily in technology, performance, and market positioning. The IM brand, developed by SAIC Motor in partnership with technology firms like Alibaba, boasts advanced technology features not typically found in standard MG models.
IM vehicles come with four-wheel steering for better agility and handling, enhanced camera systems aiding night-time driving and advanced driver assistance, automated parking, "auto pilot" style assisted cruise control, active noise cancellation, and ultra-rapid charging capabilities with a high-voltage battery architecture (up to 800V for 100kWh versions).
The IM brand targets the premium EV market, aiming at Tesla rivals like Model 3 and Model Y, rather than MG's traditional budget/entry-level electric vehicles. Prices reflect this shift, with the IM5 starting around £39,450 and higher specification models reaching near £50,000.
Both IM models come with intelligent parking features designed for easier inner-city parking and "One Touch Reverse", a driver assistance technology that retraces the last 100 metres to help guide drivers out of tricky spots.
The IM models are now available for order from MG's dealers or can be configured online. The cars promise a range of around 500 kms and come with a seven-year warranty when serviced within the IM dealer network across the country.
References: [1] Autocar. (2022). MG IM5 and IM6 electric cars revealed. Retrieved from https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mg-im5-and-im6-electric-cars-revealed [2] Car Magazine. (2022). MG IM5 and IM6 electric cars revealed. Retrieved from https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/mg-im5-and-im6-electric-cars-revealed-76800 [3] What Car?. (2022). MG IM5 and IM6 electric cars revealed. Retrieved from https://www.whatcar.com/news/mg-im5-and-im6-electric-cars-revealed/168071
- The IM brand, a new premium electric vehicle offering from Chinese car manufacturer MG, is set to challenge the status quo in the automotive industry, specifically targeting rivals like Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y in the premium electric vehicle sector.
- With advanced technology features, high-performance powertrains, and a market positioning that distances it from MG's budget/entry-level electric vehicles, the IM brand promises a seamless blend of luxury lifestyle, technology, and transportation.
- Featuring innovative technology such as four-wheel steering, enhanced camera systems, automated parking, "auto pilot" style assisted cruise control, active noise cancellation, and ultra-rapid charging capabilities, the IM models promises to revolutionize the way electric vehicles are perceived.
- Priced competitively, the IM5 starts around £39,450, with higher specification models reaching near £50,000. The IM brand is now available for order, promising a range of around 500 kms and backed by a seven-year warranty when serviced within the IM dealer network across the country.
