Business 385
Chinese makers rush plug-in hybrids into EU before quota
MG launches IM5 EV in Britain to challenge Tesla Model 3
MG's premium electric brand IM has launched the IM5 in the UK, a low-slung hatchback saloon priced against the Tesla Model 3, with claimed range of up to 441 miles and rapid charging.
By Eleanor Ellington · 4 min read
MG has brought its premium electric brand IM to the UK with the IM5, a low-slung hatchback saloon priced directly against the Tesla Model 3. The Long Range test car costs £45,495, while the Standard Range starts from £39,950. That places the Long Range roughly £500 above an equivalent Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel-drive car, and around £10,000 below the Volkswagen ID 7, which the IM5 is also positioned against. For buyers weighing a premium electric saloon, the gap between the MG and the Tesla is narrow enough to make the comparison the central question of the launch.
Under the skin, the IM5 uses a 96.5kWh usable nickel-manganese-cobalt battery on an 800V architecture. MG claims peak charging of 396kW and an official range of up to 441 miles. The rear motor produces 402bhp and 368lb ft of torque, giving a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds. Standard rear-wheel steering is fitted to help with urban manoeuvres, a feature that matters in the tight streets and car parks where a car of this size is most often used.
In a group test, the IM5 finished third, behind the Model 3 and the Mercedes CLA. The reviewer found the ride could feel jittery on worn surfaces, although the cabin was judged to feel premium, with soft synthetic leather upholstery and comfortable seats. The interior is dominated by a 26.3in display alongside a 10.5in central screen, with relatively few physical controls. That approach will suit buyers who are comfortable operating most functions through touchscreens, though it leaves less to reach for without looking. The reviewer nonetheless found the car surprisingly easy to drive in London, where its rear-wheel steering and manageable dimensions help in traffic.
Real-world figures recorded so far are less generous than the official claim. The car returned a range near 370 miles from an 80 per cent charge, and highway efficiency of around 3.4 to 3.8 miles per kilowatt-hour, with air-conditioning use noted as a factor that reduces it further. Its 400kW charger takes the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in about 17 minutes, at a cost of 59p per kWh on the MFG network. The charging session, however, stopped early at 86 per cent, and the charge port locks if the car is locked while plugged in, a quirk owners will need to learn early on.
Other points raised include a driver attention monitor that produced false alerts when the driver wore sunglasses, a feature that can frustrate drivers on bright days. Pre-conditioning was found useful in summer heat, helping to bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature before a journey, and the car offers a Nap and Scene mode. Boot capacity is 457 litres, although the opening is narrow and rear visibility is poor, which may make loading bulky items more awkward. Rear seats are comfortable but offer limited underfloor foot space, a trade-off that affects passengers on longer trips.
The reviewer's long-term test continues, with further updates to follow as the car accumulates more miles. The question of how far the IM5 resembles the Model 3 remains unresolved, and the answer will depend on how the car performs over a longer period of ownership and everyday use. For now, the IM5 stands as MG's direct challenge to Tesla in the premium electric saloon market, offering a competitive price and ambitious specification against a rival that has set the benchmark in the segment.
Source: autocar.co.uk
3
