MG has officially launched a new brand in the UK that is set to compete with Tesla in the electric vehicle market. The new brand, IM, unveiled its first UK-bound models, the IM 5 and IM 6, at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed. These models are designed to rival Tesla’s popular Model 3 and Model Y.
IM, which stands for Intelligence in Motion, was established in 2020 through a collaboration between MG’s parent company SAIC, e-commerce giant Alibaba, and R&D specialist Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. The brand originally launched in China in 2022 and now boasts a lineup of four electric cars, mirroring that of its Californian competitor.
The IM 5, also known as the L6 in China, is a sleek four-door saloon that offers an impressive official range of 442 miles thanks to its 100kWh lithium-ion battery. With an 800V charging architecture, the IM 5 can achieve a 10-80% charge in just 17 minutes, making it a convenient option for electric vehicle owners.
While official specifications have not been released yet, the IM platform is said to support charging speeds of up to 396kW, surpassing any public charger currently available in the UK. Additionally, the IM 6 Lightyear Edition features a 900V semi-solid-state battery and a peak charging speed of 400kW, although its availability in the UK has not been confirmed.
The IM 5 will also be offered in a shorter-range variant with a 75kWh battery, providing an estimated range of 330 miles. Priced at £39,450, this variant avoids the Expensive Car Supplement applied to cars priced at £40k and above. The larger battery option increases the price to £44,995, while the Performance version is priced at £48,495, placing it in direct competition with Tesla’s Model 3 in terms of price and performance.
With the upcoming arrival of IM models at MG dealerships in the UK, electric vehicle enthusiasts can look forward to a new player in the market that promises cutting-edge technology and impressive performance. Stay tuned for more updates on IM’s expansion into the UK market.
