IM is a new sub-brand under China’s SAIC Motor and MG, and the marque is looking to expand its reach into the premium EV market with the IM6.
This is a 767bhp electric SUV with rear-wheel steering, active noise cancellation, and more tech than a CES showroom.
Impressive, right? On paper, it reads like the perfect cocktail for the company-car crowd: big battery, big space, big ambition. But, how would it fare in our increasingly congested EV market?
Performance That Terrifies… Then Disappoints
The range-topping Performance variant you see here delivers a seismic 767bhp and 800Nm of torque figures that would make an Audi RS Q8 blush. The century sprint is done and dusted in 3.5 seconds. Not bad for something that weighs more than a lorry with cargo.
But all this power comes without proper grace. Nail the throttle and the IM6 lunges forward like a caffeinated greyhound, but once the thrill of acceleration fades, you’re left with a ride quality that’s more punishment than performance. Even with air suspension and adaptive damping, the car simply can’t iron out the jitteriness. Over broken pieces of tarmac, it crashes and thuds like a clumsy ballet dancer.
Drive it hard, and the IM6 begins to protest. Turn in, and you’re greeted by understeer. Lift off, apply more lock… and you repeat the sequence like a poorly coded video game. It’ll keep pace with a 911 GT3 in a straight line, sure, but corners? That’s where the dream dies.
Interior of the Future
Step inside and you’re immediately greeted by a cinematic 26.3-inch display paired with a secondary 10.5-inch touchscreen below.
Everything is digital. Everything. Even the air vents are touchscreen-controlled. There are barely any physical buttons left.
The interface is vaguely similar to another American brand, in both form and function. At least you can control settings without distracting the main infotainment screen on top, but due to the large labyrinth of menus and placement, you will need some time to acclimatise behind the wheel, if not the smaller screen ends up becoming a distraction too while driving.
The Space Frontier
If there’s one thing the IM6 does well, it’s space. This is a proper full-size SUV. You get 665 litres of boot space plus a 32-litre frunk, and backseat passengers are treated to ample legroom and a panoramic sunroof that opens up the cabin like a Japanese ryokan.
The driver’s seat also comes with massage functions, and the carpets are plush enough to sleep on. If you blindfolded someone and placed them in the car, they would more than likely think this is one of the ‘established’ premium European brands. That’s how good it is.
Charging Ahead
The IM6 uses a 100kWh (96.5kWh usable) NCM battery running on an 800V platform, which allows for blistering fast charging up to 396kW DC. That’s enough to take the battery from 10–80 per cent in just 17 minutes. If you can find a charger in Singapore that supports it, that is.
Range-wise, it promises up to 624km in the Long Range variant. That puts it on par with rivals like the long-range Tesla Model Y. With battery tech advancing at such a blistering pace, you can at least be reassured that the IM6 has future-proofed itself for the next few years.
A Valiant First Attempt
The IM6 is fast, big, and packed with enough tech to keep you occupied for days. The marque has tried to play in the big leagues; in size, it matches the BMW iX and Mercedes EQE SUV. In price, it undercuts them by a fair margin. But, while most of the package is there, it would still need a few minor updates to keep pace with established rivals.
Overall, as a first foray into the premium EV space, expect great things from IM in the near future.
Technical Specifications
IM 6 Performance
Engine: Dual Electric Motors
Powertrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 572 kW (767 bhp)
Torque: 802 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0100km/h: 3.48 Seconds
Top Speed: 239 km/h
Battery Capacity: 100 kWh
Drive Range: 505 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 4.3 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$337,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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