New MG IM5 is faster and cheaper than a Tesla Model 3
The IM5 takes MG into the premium electric saloon sector for the first time
MG might be better known for producing relatively humble, affordable cars these days, but the Chinese-owned British firm has firmly set its sights on the more premium end of the market with its new IM6 SUV and this: the IM5 saloon.
Pitched as competition to not just the Tesla Model 3, but also the Kia EV4, BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 6, sales of the IM5 will begin in September. After our impressive first drive of MG’s all-electric saloon, we expect it should worry its rivals.
There will be three variants of the IM5: Standard, Long Range and Performance. The IM5 Standard comes in at £39,450, undercutting the cheapest Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive by £540; the Long Range is priced from £44,995 and the range-topping Performance model costs from £48,495.
The IM5 comes pretty well equipped as standard. You get a 20-speaker sound system, there’s a 10.5-inch touchscreen on the centre console and a 26.3-inch infotainment display on top of the dash. Other features include: a double-glazed panoramic roof, double-layer soundproof glass all around, ambient lighting, a wireless smartphone charging pad, ventilated and heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. There are two interior ‘themes’ to choose from, with white or grey artificial leather colourways.
There aren’t any MG badges on the IM5 (or the IM6 for that matter), because the ‘IM’ part of the name comes from IM Motors, which is a premium electric car brand owned by MG’s Chinese parent company, SAIC Motor. Initially the IM brand was going to launch by itself in the UK, but now its cars will be pitched as higher-end MG models.
The IM5 is too new to be found on the Auto Express Find A Car service, but there are plenty of excellent all-electric saloons, from personal contract purchases on BMW’s i4 to leasing a Tesla Model 3.
The IM5 will already be familiar to Australians, because it’s been on sale in Down Under since the start of the summer under the far less catchy banner of ‘IM Presented by MG Motor’. Just as in other markets, the IM5 and IM6 for the UK share very similar design language: a low front to promote aerodynamic efficiency, smooth surfacing along the body, and a thin rear lightbar. Four launch colours will be offered on the IM5 in the UK: Arctic White, Nevis Blue, Rembrandt Grey and Black Pearl.
With a completely new 800V platform underpinning it, the IM5 is like nothing else we’ve seen before from MG. The entry-level IM5 Standard has a 75kWh battery, which in other markets is good for 304 miles of range. As you’d expect, the Long Range offers the best efficiency in the line-up, with a larger 100kWh battery offering a claimed 441 miles – five miles more than a Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. The Performance is less efficient, despite also having a 100kWh battery, because while the others come with a single e-motor powering the rear wheels, this version has a dual-motor all-wheel drive layout, with range limited to 357 miles. Using an 800V architecture, the IM5 can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 17 minutes, thanks to a maximum recharge rate of 392kW.
We found the IM5 pretty pacey in single and dual-motor forms during our initial test. The Standard Range’s 291bhp rear-mounted electric motor helps it sprint from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 124mph. The Long Range comes with 402bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds, topping out at 136mph. If you’re really wanting supercar levels of acceleration, we found the IM5 Performance more than adequate, with its astonishing 741bhp and 3.2-second 0-62mph time. It also can reach speeds of up to 166mph.
There’s also rear-wheel steering that can pivot by 12 degrees to reduce the IM5’s turning circle to 9.9 metres. MG has apparently worked hard on making sure the IM5 delivers an engaging drive, too. David Allison, MG’s UK head of product and planning for MG, said: “Exhilarating performance and dynamic handling, which MG will always have a passion for, comes with a digital chassis and truly potent acceleration.” To achieve this, MG developed the IM5 and its IM6 sister model further at Longbridge, in Birmingham, to suit European driving tastes.
Two wheel sizes are offered on the IM5: a 19-inch ‘aerodynamic’ style for rear-wheel drive models and a 20-inch ‘sporty’ rim for the dual-motor Performance. The smaller wheels come with Hankook tyres as standard, while Pirellis are offered on the larger wheels.
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