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IM's largest and most luxurious model to date, the LS9, could be sold in Australia, but only if there is enough interest in the big SUV.
MG’s premium sub-brand IM is looking to launch the massive LS9, or IM9 as it might be known, but needs Australia’s help to do so.
Making its local debut at the 2026 Melbourne motor show in April, the IM9 is the brand’s biggest model to date, measuring 5279mm long, 2000mm wide, 1806mm tall, and with a 3160mm wheelbase.
Speaking to Drive, IM Motor regional general manager for Asia Pacific Steven Xu said the Melbourne motor show was used to gauge customer interest in the flagship model.
“Because this was the first time we showcased the LS9, actually we want to hear the Australian customer voice, which is especially very important to us,” Xu said.
“The features, the seats – five seats, six seats or seven seats – we want to first hear the Australian customer’s voice, like whether the LS9 is too long for this country or 5.1m like the [smaller] LS8 is more suited for them.
“We do a lot of investigating, we get the conclusion, then we decide what the next stage or next step is for the export version.”
Fitted with an extended range electric vehicle powertrain, the IM9 features a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with two electric motors for all-wheel-drive traction.
Combined outputs hit 390kW/670Nm, enabling a claimed 4.9-second 0-100km/h acceleration time, while the 66kWh battery is good for a CLTC-rated 402km of all-electric range.
A top-spec Hyper version is also available in China, which adds an additional electric motor for total output of 550kW, but the electric-only driving range is slashed to 308km.
However, while the IM9 is still up in the air for Australia, the related LS8 – or IM8 – will make its way to local showrooms in the first half of 2027 to satiate large SUV buyer needs.
The IM8 features the same powertrain, but its slightly smaller dimensions at 5085mm long, 2000mm wide, 1807mm tall, and 3060mm wheelbase means its all-electric range is boosted to a claimed 430km.
The IM8 has been shown in five- and six-seat configurations, with a seven-seater expected to break cover later this year.
However, it has been confirmed the IM8 will sit above the IM6 in terms of pricing, meaning a figure north of $60,990 drive-away.
If the IM9 were to make it to Australian showrooms, expect to pay closer to $100,000 for the full-sized flagship SUV.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
