LEADING THE CHARGE

The new IM5 EV is part of an upmarket sub-brand for MG, and while it is epic in terms of charging speed and comfort, it's not as polished as its rivals

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Since 2011, the now Chinese-owned brand MG has pivoted from a maker of saloons and sports cars into one of the best-known EV builders. However, the firm is now focusing on premium touches and refined driving characteristics with its "IM" sub-brand and new car, the IM5.

WHAT'S NEW?

IM stands for Intelligent Mobility, and although it may sound like a tech startup, it has been designed to differentiate from the wider MG lineup. The IM5 arrives alongside the IM6, a crossover-style model with the same selection of powertrains. Both cars get a high level of in-car tech and every feature you can think of.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?

The IM5 is available with a trio of powertrains including Standard Range, Long Range and Performance. We're testing out that middle setup, with the longest range of the three.

It can do 441 miles while a maximum charge speed of 396kW makes it one of the speediest you'll find on any EV today. In fact, the IM5's large 96.5kWh battery will go from 10-80% in just 17 minutes.

Performance-wise, the IM5 will manage zero to 60mph in 4.6 seconds. The range-topping Performance model will manage it in a scarcely believable 2.9 seconds.