MG ZS News

The IM Motors L6 sedan is the first production electric car to use semi solid state batteries and its full, frankly astounding, statistics have been revealed at its China release. The massive 133kWh semi solid battery pack isn’t on sale now – it’ll arrive in October – provides a claimed 1000km of driving range in the CTLC protocol (equivalent to around 800km WLTP) and 400km of range added in 12 minutes of charging are very enticing. It’s not just big batteries, with SAIC-owned and Alibaba-backed IM Motors (a peer of MG) also touting its ‘Digital Lizard’ active chassis technology that got the sedan through the ‘Moose Test’ swerve and recover manoeuvre at 90.96km/h, faster than any other vehicle on record. The IM L6’s test results can’t be considered official, though.Popularised by Swedish outlet Teknikens Varld, the ISO standard stipulates the test must be completed with a full complement of passengers and luggage on board to be considered valid. The 1997 Citroen Xantia Activa’s 85km/h effort remains on top for now. IM’s active suspension tech is interesting though, said to offer ‘three axes’ of control including vertical (though there’s no literature to say it uses air springs). It appears to have active anti-roll bars, four-wheel steering and ESP functions integrated into a module said to aid response, stability and manoeuvrability – you can watch it in action hereSingle and twin motor variants of the IM Motors L6 will be offered in China with a range-topping L6 Max Super Performance variant features a 100kWh battery and twin ‘Hurricane’ motors for 579kW/800Nm, a 0-100km/h sprint in 2.74 seconds and Audi e-tron GT-beating top speed of 268km/h thanks to IM’s 21,000rpm motor speed.To give some context to the IM L6’s figures, here is how it stacks up against a BYD Seal sedan.At 4.9 metres long it’s bigger and pitched as a more luxurious option than the Seal - a BMW i5 M60 rival really – but this should help illustrate its figures. The L6 Max Lightyear will launch later with a 900V architecture and 133kWh semi solid state battery supplied by Qingtao (Kunshan) Energy Development Group.IM Motors is planning a European launch in 2025 with ambitions to compete with luxury brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.Australian plans are unclear but MG Australia, who would be the natural importer of the SAIC-owned IM brand, has shown an interest in the sedan and LS6 medium SUV previously as a Tesla Model Y rival. “The process is quite a complex process around why a specific variant is selected or not selected, so as we do with all our range, we will proactively work with our engineers locally and internationally as well as product, marketing, sales teams, dealer network and customer feedback to understand and cater our offering to their ongoing needs and wants", an MG spokesperson said.  Taking into account shipping, taxes and margins (rather than direct conversion), it’s possible the L6 line-up could be priced from around $70K for a long range single motor variant with the flagship 133kWh ‘Lightyear’ potentially under $100K if it does arrive.

Good news for anyone considering an MG hatch or SUV as the Chinese brand has lowered its drive away pricing for some popular models as confirmed on its website.

Kia Australia says “economic increases” are behind price rises for three of its most popular models, the Cerato small sedan and hatch, Seltos small SUV and mid-size Sportage SUV.

Australia's new-car market boomed in 2023, with the result defying any talk of interest rates or a cost-of-living crisis, with a total 1,216,780 vehicles delivered during the year.It was massive result, and the biggest ever.

As the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reports new car sales in Australia having surpassed a million sales year-to-date by October for the first time, the gaps between the top brands' positions are changing.

Normal new-car broadcasting returned to Australia in August, with the Tesla Model Y slipping out of the top five, and the Tesla Model 3 falling out of the top 10, with ute-beaut favourites like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max dominating the sales charts.

Are you ready to pay more than $100,000 for an MG? The Chinese-owned British brand certainly hopes so, with plans for a premium expansion underway for the current price-led player.

While concerns around rates and spending remain at the forefront of discussion, Australia’s new car market quietly notched up the best July of sales on record.

MG has adjusted some of its drive-away pricing in Australia, but there’s good news for prospective buyers of some of its more popular models.

Australian new vehicle sales for the first six months of 2023 are up a solid 8.2 per cent compared to the first half of 2022, and part of the reason may - at last - be improved supply.