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By Jonathan Crouch

MG's IM6 is a surprisingly polished large EV crossover. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The most advanced MG ever made, this electric IM6 luxury SUV isn't really an MG, but that hardly matters. There's almost everything here a pampered executive making the EV switch could want in a large crossover. But a few of the usual Chinese brand downsides remain.

Backgroundword count: 145

Here, Chinese brand MG has set itself its biggest challenge yet. To gain for itself a significant slice of the territory for premium mid-size luxury EVs, a sector latterly dominated by Tesla with its Model 3 saloon and Model Y SUV. MG targets these two best sellers - and many others - with two cars from its IM executive sub-brand - the IM5 for the saloon Model 3 market; and our subject here, the IM6, to target the army of available Model Y-class electric SUV crossovers. IM (which stands for 'Intelligence in Motion') is, like MG, part of the brand portfolio of Chinese conglomerate SAIC - and this is very much an IM-engineered car rather than an MG-developed one. But perhaps that's reassuring. No executive wants a luxury car created by a budget brand. But plenty might like this one. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 313

You'd expect the engineering of this IM6 to duplicate that of its IM5 sibling - which it does, though with some significant differences. Unlike the IM5, there's no smaller-battery 400V entry-level powertrain on offer. Instead, all IM6 models use the more advanced 800V 100kWh drivetrain that features in more powerful versions of its sibling. Most IM6 customers will be happy with the base rear-driven '100 Long Range' model, which offers 402bhp and 388 miles of range. 0-62mph takes 5.4s en route to 146mph. The alternative is the all-wheel drive dual motor '100 Performance' model, which has a mammoth 742bhp and offers 313 miles of range. The 0-62mph time falls to just 3.5s en route to 148mph. We mentioned engineering differences over the IM5. Another of them is that it's only this IM6 that can be had in '100 Performance' form fitted out with adaptive damping and air suspension, though for that you'll need to spend more on the top '100 Launch Edition' model. The IM6 benefits particularly from the air suspension element and you'll appreciate why upon learning that this SUV variant rides on 20 or 21-inch wheels which are a size larger than those on the IM5. The other driving difference of note is the way that the IM6 seats you higher and more commandingly than its showroom sibling. As expected, both body styles share the same four-wheel steering system (which creates a turning circle as tight as a little MG4 EV hatch). And all IM models can 'crab walk' and perform 'One Touch' parking manoeuvres - like reversing perfectly for up to 100-metres along the line you drove in on. Across the range, you get five driving modes ('Super Eco', 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Custom'). And two regenerative braking modes ('Standard' and 'Low'). On the highway expect exceptional refinement, aided by a clever noise-cancelling system and the super-slippery 0.226Cd drag coefficient.

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