They are rear-wheel drive cars as standard, but we offer a performance version for both models if you want a bit more power, which is an all-wheel drive. They have air suspension, 21-inch wheels, plus all the kit you’d expect in a car of this price point – it’s got everything, from heated and cooled seats to massage seats to a three-zone climate control system.
Both cars are packed full of technology and features, including a 15.5-inch touchscreen, which uses Android Automotive OS, and features a system we call ‘IQ drive’ which is our ADAS system. It’s got all the features you’d expect like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic jam pilot, parking assist, and a 360-degree camera.
The software is very responsive and quick and the car gets over-the-air updates – so when we launch new features or updates, it’s a simple download for the customer. We’re also in the process of getting our cars HW3 ready, which is a step towards autonomous driving.
The interior is very minimalist – we wanted to keep it as clean as possible. The dashboard is dominated by the large touchscreen, but apart from that it’s very clean and simple, with just a few buttons. We’ve used a lot of sustainable materials – there’s a lot of vegan leather, and the wood is all from sustainable sources.
On the safety front, these cars are packed full of features. We’ve got the first-ever airbag in the headrest. Ultimately, we want to keep our customers as safe as possible. We’re not at the point where we’re going to stop pushing the boundaries and looking at new technologies and new features to make our cars safer.
The cars are designed in Longbridge, engineered in Shanghai, and built in Nanjing. The Longbridge site is where we do all of our design work, and we have around 350 engineers working there. We also have a team of 12 engineers in Shanghai who work on design and engineering, and then we have a much larger team in Nanjing who builds the cars.
What are your expectations for the new models?
We’re not expecting to sell huge numbers of these cars, but that’s not the point. We want to build brand awareness, we want to build credibility. We want to show customers and the industry that we’re a forward-thinking, progressive brand.
We’ve got a lot of exciting things in the pipeline, and I think these cars are a great indication of where we’re going. We’re going to keep pushing the boundaries and looking at new technologies and new features to make our cars as safe, sustainable, and efficient as possible. We’re in a great position to do that, and I’m really excited about what the future holds for MG.
Overall, the IM5 and IM6 represent a bold step into the premium EV segment for MG, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. With impressive performance and cutting-edge technology, these models are sure to make a splash in the electric vehicle market.
As MG continues to expand its range and push the boundaries of automotive design, the future looks bright for this iconic British brand.
