The IM 5 electric sedan looks sexy, is supremely comfortable, is easy to work and live around, and has terrific ride quality to match. Safe to say, it is really IMpressive
Singapore – With EVs becoming ever more commonplace, it’s easy to get lost in all the options and possibilities for car buyers in the electric vehicle market now. Since there’s no more differentiating cars by exhaust notes in these suave, silent EVs, we’re left with logos and body styles to tell us who’s who… Or perhaps there is more to an EV than a steering, and a screen.
In comes IM Motors, a joint venture between three Chinese titans – the state-owned manufacturer SAIC motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, a state-backed high-tech hub in Shanghai supporting and investing in technological developments.
A little over 3 months ago, IM Motors joined our local Leng Kee battleground. However, they showed no intention to do a Russell Crowe ’Gladiator’ story of brawling your way to the top. With unmistakably subtle but strong styling, they’re immediately reaching for higher echelons within the car hierarchy. We’ll soon see, it’s perfectly within their means to do so anyway.
Eye-catching Elegance
Amidst the competition, such as the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, or the Hyundai Ioniq 6, the IM 5 stands out rather uniquely. It doesn’t overdo the looks department. Its entire body shape is stately in a measured and dignified way, given its wider body stance, and the fact that it’s 4.9 metres long but doesn’t feel IMposing to you as much as it is IMpressive.
Speaking of not overdoing things, the IM 5 doesn’t do any excessive lines, sharp corners, or indents that make it look like a paper crane on wheels. That’s good because personally, I’m not into that. The electric fastback sports clean lines stretched over the front and across the shoulders, then pulled all the way to the rear for a neat presentation. That’s cool.
Irresistible Interiors
Opening the doors herald a light-coloured cabin that has both the wow factor and a sense of welcoming.
Probably the first thing to catch one’s attention is the presence of a 26.3-inch screen that stretches over more than half the dashboard. The right side being the driver’s display behind the steering wheel, while the left end is the touch-sensitive infotainment.
Second thing would be a 10.5-inch portrait touchscreen that sits all of the car’s controls. The controls in question include everything, so it’s pretty Tesla-like. This includes adjusting your air conditioning and seat ventilation, customising your sound system, and accessing your auto-parking, which never fails to make our lives a little more stress-free.
The only catch with the control screen is that it catches your fingertip marks over time, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a quick wipe of a cloth in a matter of literal seconds.
The infotainment system is responsive and transitions smoothly. Certain shortcuts are easy to access, such as swiping your fingers up and down to adjust air-conditioning speed and temperature. There are a number of menus to navigate around, such as controls, ADAS, driving, sound, etc., so it does take a couple extra seconds to remember where is what, but at the same time it doesn’t create an intimidating learning curve.
The panoramic sunroof is quite a huge plus as well. It further enhances the airy atmosphere in the cabin without turning your car into a sauna. All of the light with little heat – great for Singapore’s driving environment.
Storage spaces are sufficient for you to throw your barang-barang in all the compartments. All the nooks and crannies are neatly positioned but in plain sight so you don’t forget where you threw what – a sore weakness of mine that was thankfully resolved for those few days.
Boot space at 457 litres, is 57 litres larger than the BYD Seal. Therefore, it is easily sufficient for a couple luggages. A tiny drawback is the absence of a cargo cover, which means a lack of privacy, for when I do not want people to see how much instant coffee I buy during my grocery runs.
Praiseworthy Pliancy
Despite its length, the IM 5 is surprisingly easy to live with. Underneath the electric fastback sits the IM Digital Chassis, propped by a multi-link independent rear suspension and an aluminium alloy double wishbone front suspension. This empowers the IM 5 to deliver stellar confidence at taking corners or absorbing any bumps in the road. Pair that with a fantastic turning radius, appropriate steering weight, smooth power delivery, and IM’s Intelligent Four-Wheel Steering system to top things off, and you have all the ingredients necessary (tighter U-turns and smoother lane changes) for an excellent handling experience.
One of my passengers complimented that the ride quality felt “connected to the road but at the same time, it simply wafts”. This is in my books, quite an accomplishment for the IM 5, especially since my passenger was not even a car person.
Driven more enthusiastically, the IM 5 does not need much persuading to adapt – almost like it switches out of its classy Oxfords, and into a pair of Nike Vaporflys, with the tap of the screen. Stopping power comes in the form of high-performance Continental brakes, which inspire confidence. After all, at 2,180kg, the IM 5 is no lightweight.
Magnificent Motoring
With a 75kWh battery that showed me 420km of range when I first received the car, I had plenty to get by for around four days of driving. This Luxury variant, which produces 146hp and 450Nm, is built specially for the Singapore market, just so that it can beat our sky-high COE prices.
If you need more grunt, the electric fastback is also available in Sport and Performance trims. The Sport delivers 414hp and 500Nm, while the range-topping Performance model puts out a whopping 756hp and a near earth-turning 802Nm… which makes it 0.1 seconds quicker to 100km/h than the Porsche Taycan GTS.
I digress… Back in this more sensible Category A COE-friendly Luxury variant, it clocks 100km/h in a relaxed 10 seconds. However, thanks to a generous dollop of torque, I liked that the IM 5 Luxury felt rapid enough in reaching highway speeds, seemingly faster than how 10 seconds normally would feel in other cars.
Within the cabin, the street feels a little more distant, all thanks to the full double-glazed windows. This makes the car a truly pleasant place to be in.
Overall Outstanding
The IM 5 presents an exciting direction for electric mobility. It is indeed possible for EVs to create some kind of connection to the road and sprinkle in some driving fun. That is, while not compromising the utilitarian side of things, such as seating space, range, and practicality.
The IM 5 checks all those boxes and more, given its premium looks and touches, pampering comfort features, and superb handling.
With IM units hitting the streets, we’re concurrently seeing the bar raised on the standards of EVs as well. Look out, everyone else.
Text: Titus Tang
Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium-level comfort for both driver and passengers | No cargo cover |
| Excellent handling | Infotainment needs some familiarisation |
| Smooth and silent ride quality |
IM 5 EV Luxury RWD 75kWh
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Single Motor, Rear Drive |
| Motor power / torque | 146hp / 450Nm |
| Battery capacity | 75kWh |
| Efficiency | 19.2kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 440km |
| 0-100km/h | 10 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | Eurokars EV |
| Price | S$224,888 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Outstanding drive, luxury and value |
