MG Australia eyes luxury Tesla Model Y rival, $100,000 sports cars

MG has identified a new luxury electric SUV – which could rival the Tesla Model Y for price and features – as being under consideration for the Australian market.

And along with the forthcoming Cyberster sports car – due in showrooms late next year – it could pave the way for a $100,000 MG in Australia.

It would be the most expensive model ever sold in Australia by the company, which since re-launching here in 2016 under Chinese ownership has built its sales on budget-priced, $20,000 to $25,000 city hatchbacks and SUVs.

Speaking to Australian media at the recent launch of the MG 4 electric car, local boss Peter Ciao said the IM Motors LS6 is on his wish list for an introduction into MG Australia showrooms.

IM Motors – a luxury-car brand in China – is a joint venture between MG’s parent company, the state-owned Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), and Chinese tech giants Alibaba (known for its online shopping website) and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.

As part of a deal recently signed by SAIC, the underpinnings of the IM LS6 – as well as the larger IM L7 sedan and LS7 SUV – are set to be adopted by future models from German luxury-car maker Audi.

Mr Ciao said plans to bring a model from IM Motors to Australia are still being finalised – and he could not provide a definitive answer as to which models are coming, and when.

However, he said the LS6 mid-size SUV – which is yet to launch in China – is part of his plans for the Australian market.

“I’m still working on that, and today I can’t give you a clear answer. But I plan to import one, middle-size SUV – the LS6. I have three options, but I’m aiming for the LS6 first,” he said.”

When asked if the vehicle would be badged as an MG in Australia, Mr Ciao said: “I’m still negotiating with the factory, but I trust the MG brand is very necessary.”

Data published by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) – as reported by Car News China – the IM Motors LS6 measures 4904mm long, 1988mm wide and 1669mm tall.

This makes it larger bigger than the Tesla Model Y in every direction – and closer to the Tesla Model X, which is no longer sold in Australia.

Other specifications quoted by Car News China includes 800-volt charging technology, a 2915mm wheelbase, and a power output of up to 379kW from dual electric motors.

Also around the corner for MG Australia is the Cyberster electric convertible – its all-new sports car in nearly three decades – which is due between October and December 2023, with a similarly-high price to the IM Motors cars.

When asked whether the MG brand would be able to sell a $100,000 vehicle in Australia – in the same showrooms as a $20,000 MG 3 city hatch – Mr Ciao pointed to the British origins of the company as a sports-car manufacturer.

“We relaunched in Australia [in 2016]. The business decision was to survive at first, so we focused on affordable prices – under $20,000 and under $30,000.

“But I always remind my whole team, that doesn’t mean MG is a cheaper brand. MG next year will have 100 years of history – this is a premium brand, a very good sports brand.”

“For this brand, the price range I trust is very, very wide. It’s very easy to get over $100,000. I don’t think that’s a challenge.”

When asked whether the forthcoming MG Cyberster could cost $100,000, Mr Ciao described the speculation as a “good forecast.”

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