Who says European motor show – even if it is almost completely empty – now means the arrival of new Chinese brands on the Old Continent. On the occasion of the 2024 Geneva motor show, where the Renault 5 E-Tech electric plays the star, the Chinese group SAIC, which already markets MG Motor, announces the arrival of its IM brand (for Intelligent Mobility) in Europe. It was co-founded with the Alibaba Group, as well as Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.
This new 100% electric manufacturer aims to be more upscale than MG and in particular wishes to compete with Tesla by emphasizing technology. To do this, IM has a range of four models, including the L6 sedan which is being presented as a world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.
L6: a large sedan that doesn’t yet have an interior
The L6 is, in a way, IM’s Tesla Model S. It is a large sedan which measures 4.93 m long and which receives the latest technologies from its manufacturer. It is therefore equipped with a fairly flattering technical sheet. Its power increases to 579 kW (787 hp) in the 4×4 version with two motors, for a torque of 800 Nm, allowing you to go from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds according to IM. The 100 kWh of its battery would give it a range of around 600 km, on the WLTP cycle.
IM does not yet show the interior of its L6 sedan, which can however be glimpsed behind its windshield. We can notably see a steering wheel similar to Tesla’s Yoke, as already offered by the rest of the range, as well as a screen strip, again already seen on other IM models.
The interior of the L6 sedan.
Already two sedans and two SUVs, all very imposing
Larger than the L6, the L7 measures 5.10 m long and has a range of up to 500 km (90 kWh battery). IM does not yet detail whether all the models present on its stand will be imported to Europe, but we imagine that this very large sedan would not be particularly at home there.
Launched in 2023 on the Chinese market, the LS6 electric SUV measures 4.90 m long, only around ten centimeters less than its big brother the LS7, or a Tesla Model X. It offers 560 km of autonomy of its 100 kWh battery.
The brand’s cars are packed with sensors, including lidars, and offer sober interiors, where technology is at the center of the cabin.
The LS7, which measures 5.05 m long, is therefore the SUV counterpart of the L7 sedan. Its battery, however, reaches a capacity of 100 kWh, which allows it to display a maximum autonomy slightly greater than the sedan, with a range of 530 km.
We do not yet know the details of the timetable for the arrival in Europe of IM, planned from 2025. It remains to be seen whether France, often forgotten by Chinese brands when they invest their first European markets, will be entitled to the models. of IM from this deadline. The prices charged in Europe by the brand also remain the main unknown on the table.