MG had a raft of recent fashions on show on the Melbourne motor present, however probably the most luxurious by far was an enormous new extended-range electrical SUV.
The IM LS9 is a big SUV from IM Motors, the premium division of Chinese language automotive large SAIC Motor which owns the MG model, and was first revealed in China in July 2025.
IM automobiles are at present bought through MG showrooms in Australia beneath the IM Offered by MG Motor banner. However whereas to this point solely electrical IMs are provided right here, the LS9 is an extended-range electrical car (EREV).
MG Motor Australia confirmed final 12 months it was planning to develop the IM lineup, and the LS9’s look in Melbourne suggests that is the mannequin it’ll import subsequent.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new automotive. Click on right here to get an important deal.
“Now we have already begun taking a look at alternatives, which can embrace a big SUV, for a 3rd mannequin in 2026 or past, beneath the IM Offered by MG Motor model,” the corporate instructed CarExpert final August.
The LS9 has an 800V electrical system and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the latter of which is used as a generator to energy both a 52kWh or 66kWh battery. This battery in flip powers the electrical motors – one at every finish of the car – to ship drive to the wheels.
Whole system outputs are 390kW and 670Nm, with mixed vary of as much as 1500km on the extra beneficiant CLTC cycle.
A Hyper variant detailed earlier this 12 months options three electrical motors, in addition to a brand new four-wheel steer-by-wire system.
Ought to the LS9 be launched right here, it could be the biggest SUV ever provided by MG in Australia.
The LS9 measures 5279mm lengthy, making it as much as 300mm longer than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Collection, in addition to 2000mm broad and 1806mm excessive, on a 3160mm wheelbase.
The MG QS massive SUV, in distinction, measures 4983mm lengthy, 1967mm broad and 1778mm tall on a 2915mm wheelbase.
It is unclear how a lot the LS9 would price in Australia. The MG IM6 at present tops out at $77,990 earlier than on-road prices in Efficiency guise, making it the second most costly MG behind the Cyberster electrical sports activities automotive.
The LS9 could be probably the most luxurious mannequin in MG showrooms. In China, it comes commonplace with four-wheel steering, dual-chamber air suspension, and electronically managed dynamic damping.
Inside, there is a 27.1-inch display forward of the motive force, a 15.6-inch display forward of the passenger, two 21.5-inch screens within the second row, Nappa leather-based upholstery, a 12.3-litre fridge with a heating perform, two 50W wi-fi cellphone chargers with cooling, and a 21-speaker sound system. The entrance seats characteristic heating, air flow, therapeutic massage and reminiscence.
It is also out there with 22-inch star-studded, mirror-finish alloy wheels and a 25-speaker B&O sound system.
IM has gotten off to a little bit of a sluggish begin in Australia.
Order books opened for the big IM5 liftback and IM6 crossover SUV final June, forward of first buyer deliveries in September.
MG delivered 164 IM5s and 260 IM6s in 2025. The Zeekr 7X, additionally a late-2025 introduction and a rival to the IM6, notched up 1206 deliveries.
Within the first three months of 2026, MG delivered 101 IM5s and 134 IM6s.
In China, the IM Motors model – based in 2020 – additionally affords the bigger L7 sedan and LS7 SUV, which slot in above the L6 and LS6 (aka the IM5 and IM6).
These all provide electrical energy, other than the LS6 which might additionally now be had as an EREV following a facelift in 2025.
IM Motors is busily increasing its EREV lineup, with the LS6 and LS9 joined earlier this 12 months by the LS8.
MORE: Discover the MG showroom
