IM Motors could add hybrid models to its Australian lineup following the introduction of a new extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain offering up to 1500km of total driving range – including an 450km electric-only range – in China.
The ‘Stellar super range-extender’ hybrid system from MG’s luxury IM brand combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 800V electric motor and a 66kWh battery to claim a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.07L/100km.
It’s now on sale in China in the IM LS6 premium SUV, which is set to arrive in Australian showrooms next month badged as the IM6 and employing a battery-electric powertrain.
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The range-extender system’s ‘Super Xiaoyao MAX’ battery, developed by CATL – the world’s largest battery supplier by volume – offers a 450km (CLTC) electric driving range and can be topped up with 310km of range in only 10 minutes, says IM.
As with Nissan’s e-Power system and several other EREV systems being developed, it’s a range-extender powertrain that employs a combustion engine only to generate power for its battery (not drive the wheels), but it can also be plugged in.
The Stellar system will debut in Chinese showrooms this month in the LS6 and has also been confirmed for the large LS9 six-seat SUV that’s scheduled to go on sale in China in the final three months of 2025.
No announcements have been made for Australia, where IM Motors is being launched as EV-only brand but could also offer hybrids to its lineup.
IM Motors was announced for Australia in April 2025 as an upmarket model range positioned above MG, to rival the likes of Zeekr, which is part of the Geely group, and the soon-to-launch Denza brand, which is owned by BYD.
Zeekr and Denza both offer hybrids as well as EVs overseas, while IM Motors will start here with a pair of “electric premium” EVs sold alongside MGs via the Chinese automaker’s Australian dealer network.
MG – which is owned by SAIC – has a more conventional plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain called the Super Hybrid system arriving in Australia in September for the MG HS mid-size SUV. It offers 120km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, and combined fuel economy of 0.42L/100km.
Local order books for the first two IM models to arrive here, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, opened in June ahead of first customer deliveries in September.
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