IM Motors, a premium electrical MG sibling model that’s set to launch within the UK subsequent yr, will unveil its new L6 saloon on the Geneva motor present.
IM (Intelligent Mobility) was based in late 2020 as a tie-up between MG mother or father SAIC, e-commerce large Alibaba and R&D specialist Zhangjiang Hi-Tech – and it delivered the primary examples of its L7 govt saloon in late 2021.
The L7 can be joined in Europe by the L6 when IM arrives on the continent subsequent yr. The L6 saloon is claimed to ship a variety of 500 miles and canopy 0-60mph in underneath 3sec.
No different technical particulars have been revealed however it’s anticipated to make use of an identical set-up to the L7, which has a 93kWh battery for as much as 382 miles of vary, and undertake its 11kW wi-fi charging tech.
The model is anticipated to rival the likes of BYD and Tesla on arrival within the UK.
Since its creation, IM has launched the LS6 and LS7 SUVs, which compete with the Tesla Model Y and Model X respectively. They’re priced between £32,000 and £52,000 of their native China. It is just not but recognized if they are going to be a part of the saloons as a part of the agency’s European line-up.
The model made headlines final yr when it introduced a technical partnership with Audi, which can outcome within the German firm utilizing its platforms for a variety of Chinese-market EVs as a substitute for the Volkswagen Group’s delayed SSP architecture.
IM’s UK launch
IM already has a small, seen presence within the UK, with a automobile on present in MG’s flagship showroom in Marylebone. London, as a part of a bid to gauge public notion of the brand new model.
Its launch is more likely to come throughout 2025, after MG refreshes its line-up with the brand new MG 3 and MG HS, an up to date model of the 4 and the second-generation Marvel-R SUV.
It’s doable that SAIC would first want to ascertain its European manufacturing facility – which may be based in the UK – earlier than it may well profitably construct EVs for right-hand-drive markets.
It is not but recognized whether or not the brand new fashions would retain their IM branding within the UK or be badged as MGs.
Several fashions badged as MGs within the UK are literally from one other SAIC model: the MG 5 is the Roewe Ei5 in China and the next-generation HS is a restyled Roewe RX5.
Australian journal Wheels beforehand reported that the LS7 and L7 had been “under strong consideration” on the market in Australia – one other right-hand-drive market – with MG badging.
A spokesperson for MG Motor UK informed Autocar: “IM Motors are at present working in China promoting premium electrical automobiles. There has been no affirmation of a UK launch and MG Motor UK can’t touch upon the model at this level. SAIC Motors can be offering extra data on this in the end.”