IM5 and IM6 electric vehicles to be joined by more models like LS8, LS9, and a people mover that will be offered with hybrid power.
Electric Cars
IM, MG’s premium sub-brand, is set for a major overhaul in the next 12 months that will better position it to take advantage of Australia’s growing electric vehicle appetite.
Presenting in Shanghai, IM Motors co-CEO and overseas business general manager Liu Tao acknowledged the growing appetite for EVs locally.
“Geopolitics problems have made oil prices unpredictable and unstable,” Tao said.
“In places like Australia and Thailand, the higher fuel price push customers to try EVs like never before.”
And IM is hoping to capitalise on this via a new product rollout aimed at capturing key market segments in Australia.
In the second half of the year, IM will introduce updated versions of the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV.
Called the Middle Cycle Enhancement (MCE) in IM parlance, the new models will be unveiled later this year, and are expected to sport a small number of hardware and specification changes.
However, with the IM5 and IM6 only launching in Australia last year, existing customers will also be able to score new features via an over-the-air (OTA) software update that has already begun rolling out.
Some features include an expanded automated parking function, allowing cars to self-park nose first, as well as a smartphone-controlled remote parking feature.
Next, IM will release its first three-row SUV, known overseas as the LS8 but could be simply be called IM8 in Australia.
The large luxury SUV will also be IM’s first range-extender electric vehicle, adding a 1.5-litre petrol engine to act as a generator for the battery in extended driving scenarios.
IM specifically calls out its 91RON petrol compatibility and extensive circa-1500km claimed combined range as key features designed to appeal to the Australian market.
An EV version will also be made for overseas markets, but it remains unclear if the all-electric IM8 will also be made available in Australia.
Outside the IM8, the LS9 – or potentially IM9 – is also under consideration for Australia.
Making its Australian debut at the 2026 Melbourne motor show, the LS9, is another large SUV, measuring 5279mm long in overseas markets.
However, it is understood the LS9, which could be rechristened IM9, is currently under study to see if such a large model would find enough customers in Australia.
Further afield in 2028, IM will debut new-generation versions of the IM5 and IM6, with the latter also set to gain a range-extender powertrain alongside the all-electric version.
Little is known about the new cars, but IM is looking to introduce new and updated technologies such as a wider-angle rear-wheel steering system for better manoeuvrability, a high-speed blowout stability control function, and brake-by-wire technology.
Finally, the last model set for a 2028 introduction is IM’s own people mover to take on the likes of the Denza D9 and Lexus LM.
Outside its body style, little else is known about the people mover, but its chances of coming to Australia remain slim given the small market share of MPVs.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
