Currently reading: MG takes on Tesla with new IM 5 saloon and IM 6 SUV for UK

MG confirms imminent UK launch for Model 3 and Model Y rivals, priced at £40k and £48k respectively

MG has launched a new brand in the UK that will rival Tesla with a high-tech saloon and crossover in the vein of the Model 3 and Model Y.

The new IM 5 and IM 6 – revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – are the first UK-bound models from the recently established EV marque IM, which launched in China in 2022 and now has a four-strong line-up of electric cars that closely matches that of its Californian rival.

IM (standing for Intelligence in Motion) was founded in 2020 as a tie-up between MG parent company SAIC, e-commerce giant Alibaba and R&D specialist Zhangjiang Hi-Tech. The brand made its debut at the Geneva motor show last year and is now confirmed to be heading to MG dealerships in the coming months - as previously reported by Autocar. 

The IM 5 (badged L6 in China) is a rakish four-door saloon with a maximum official range of 442 miles from a 100kWh lithium ion battery and its 800V charging architecture enables a 10-80% top-up in just 17 minutes, says MG.

The company has not given official specifications yet, but IM's platform – separate to that used by MG's existing electric cars – is said to support charging at up to 396kW - faster than any public charger currently installed in the UK.

MG has not confirmed whether the recently revealed IM 6 Lightyear Edition, with a 900V semi-solid-state battery and a peak charging speed of 400kW, will come to the UK.

The 5 will also be available as a shorter-range variant with a 75kWh battery – expected to give a range of around 330 miles – which will open the line-up at £39,450, thereby avoiding the Expensive Car Supplement that's applied to £40k-plus cars. The bigger battery bumps the price up to £44,995 and the more powerful Performance version comes in at £48,495, giving a line-up that closely matches the Model 3 in price and performance stats.

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The technically identical IM 6 will not be offered with the smaller battery but closely rivals the mid-rung Model Y with a starting price of £47,995 for the Long Range car and £50,995 for the Performance.

Full powertrain specifications have yet to be disclosed, but MG says the most powerful variants are equipped with a new generation of motor known as 'Hurricane', with the top-rung twin-motor powertrain producing 767bhp and 591lb ft. That's enough to give the saloon a 0-62mph time of as little as 3.2sec and the SUV 3.5sec.

The two cars are largely identical inside, with a huge, 26.3in wraparound infotainment display and 10.5in central touchscreen featuring in place of a physical control interface.

Both models will be offered with a panoramic roof, a 'rainy night' driving mode, automatic park assist and rear steering that, MG says, will cut the IM 5's turning circle to just under 10m.

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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Wingnut69 10 July 2025

William Morris will be turning in his grave. The Chinese have turned MG into the most laughable brand going and then they make it even worse by introducing a new brand called IM. I'm not sure who buys these cheap Chinese cars but it appears that there's a lot of people with no taste. Pairing up with Alibaba says everything you need to know 

Marc 10 July 2025

Another cheap Chinese car then...

Not too sure how the brand name will sit with the IM Group, guessing MG have already done their homework. 

cambuster 10 July 2025

A China car at those prices, bye-bye budget brand, SAIC must be making a fortune on every one sold.