When the doors open at the Melbourne Motor Show on April 5 and 6, punters at the event will get the first in-person glimpse of yet another Chinese EV brand, this time in the form of the IM luxury line-up.
Offered in Australia by SAIC sibling MG, IM is an EV joint venture between the Chinese auto maker and technology companies like Alibaba Group. The name stands for Intelligence in Motion, and the vehicles are synonymous with premium finishes and high performance.
In Australia, the brand will be known by a rather lengthy moniker: IM Presented by MG Motor. The new offering will join other unveilings by a variety of Chinese brands, including JAC, who currently only sell the T9 ute in Australia.
They’ll be adding an electric version of that very vehicle, which will be showcased alongside a rather cool concept sports GT from the same brand. Known as the DE-FINE, it’s powered by an 800-volt electrical system that sports a 460kW silicon-carbide motor.
Featuring 6-way active control, with the capacity for electric and hybrid power, as well as rechargeable and exchangeable energy sources, its design is flexible, providing both two and all-wheel drive options. It has 15 advanced driver assistance safety technologies.
Inside, a Skyline Intelligent Cockpit boasts a panoramic 50-inch forward-mounted curved screen and a 15.6-inch central screen for a vibrant and interactive multimedia display. The T9 EV dual cab 4×4 shares its platform with its combustion engine sibling.
The vehicle has been modified to house an 88kW LFP battery in the floor and dual electric motors with combined outputs of 220kW and 516Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds, and has a driving range of 330km.
Offering both AC and DC charging, it can replenish from 15-80 percent in just 40 minutes. It also has an external power socket for Vehicle-2-Load (V2L) applications, such as powering electric tools on-site. The JAC T9 EV’s payload rating of 900kg.
The Melbourne Motor Show event will also see MG will showcase the MG4, the ZS EV, which will soon be replaced with the MGS5 EV, and its first all-electric roadster, the Cyberster. These vehicles will be joined by dozens of other car brands.
