MG LS7 electric SUV likely for Australia, F7/L7 sedans under consideration

China’s MG looks set to expand its electric vehicle line-up by 2026 in Australia with two new, more-premium options.

Wheels understands MG Australia will sell a rebadged version of the IM LS7 midsize electric SUV – a Tesla Model Y rival – and decide between the IM L7 and Rising Auto F7 electric full-size sedans, similar in size to the Tesla Model S and Volkswagen ID.7.

An MG Australia spokesperson said the electric LS7, and L7 or F7 sedans, are “under strong consideration for Australia and would be badged as an MG,” likely to keep the vehicles within a familiar and more-established brand.

IM Motors is a joint venture between MG’s parent SAIC Motor, Chinese tech company Alibaba, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Group, a research centre in Shanghai.

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The LS7, likely to wear the MG in Australia

Rising Auto is a sub-brand of SAIC’s Roewe – the successor to Rover – focused on electrified vehicles.

It also produces the Rising Marvel R electric midsize SUV, which is sold in Europe as an MG, but unavailable in right-hand drive for Australia.

Europe’s all-electric MG 5 wagon – unrelated to the petrol-only MG 5 sedan due in Australia imminently – is another Roewe-derived vehicle sold in China as the Roewe i5.

First launched in China earlier this year, the IM LS7 – likely for Australia with MG badges – has a 90kWh battery pack, with an estimated 600-kilometre driving range for the rear-wheel drive and 575km for all-wheel-drive variants on the less-stringent Chinese Light-Duty Vehicle test cycle (CLTC).

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The potential MG F7, wearing the FeiFan logo

It is powered by a 250kW rear-mounted electric motor for single-motor variants, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive has a 425kW/725Nm total system output.

Available features include a 26-inch dashboard display, massaging seats, height-adjustable air suspension, automatic front doors, a 24-speaker audio system, and a normal or yoke steering wheel design.

Chinese prices range between approximately AU$60,000 and AU$95,000, likely becoming the most expensive vehicle sold by a Chinese carmaker in Australia.

This title currently applies to the Great Wall-Haval (GWM) Tank 300, with the flagship Ultra Hybrid retailing for $60,990 drive-away.

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MG 4

However, the MG 4 Long Range electric hatch is dearer in some states when on-road costs are added – and the forthcoming MG 4 X-Power hot hatch will cost even more.

The IM L7 electric sedan has similar electric motors with an optional 445kW/730Nm “sports package” and, with a 118kWh battery, a CLTC-rated 1000-kilometre driving range.

Meanwhile, the Rising F7 electric sedan – also launched in China earlier this year – packs a 64kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery in entry-level form, or two NMC batteries at 77kWh or 90kWh in capacity.

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MG 4 X-Power

The flagship 90kWh variant has a claimed CLTC-rated 666-kilometre driving range

In China, the Rising F7 competes with the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal and Volkswagen ID.7 but with broader dimensions, measuring 5000 millimetres in length with a 3000mm wheelbase – 306mm longer than a Model 3, with an additional 125mm between the front and rear axle.

The flagship 90kWh variant has a claimed CLTC-rated 666-kilometre driving range, while the entry-level 64kWh model is lower at 500km.

Inside, the dashboard is strikingly similar to Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX Hyperscreen, with a 15-inch central infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch passenger display, and a Tesla-like 8-inch rear touchscreen.

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The MG LS7 electric midsize SUV is expected in Australia by 2026, while either the rebadged IM L7 or Rising F7 are tipped to arrive here at a similar time.

VFACTS new-car sales data released this week revealed electric vehicle sales in Australia climbed by 345 per cent in the first half of 2023, compared to last year.

June’s figures increased by an astronomical 871 per cent, as strong demand for the Chinese-built Tesla Model Y saw it surpass the Ford Ranger ute to become Australia’s second-best-selling vehicle – and the most-popular SUV and electric car year-to-date.