Upgraded MG ZS EV coming soon

MG Motor Australia has confirmed it will release an upgraded version of the country’s top-selling electric vehicle, the MG ZS EV, “within six months” and install up to 3000 public EV chargers around Australia to support owners.

The multi-million-dollar commitment includes the rollout of EV chargers at up to 1000 metro and regional locations over the next three years and MG says the first 300 to 1000 will be delivered within 12 months.

Apart from confirming the local release of the facelifted MG ZS EV, which was recently released in the UK, the blossoming Chinese brand also said it would rebrand all future hybrid models, including the plug-in MG HS PHEV mid-size SUV, as ‘Plus EV’ models.

In addition, it said MG’s answer to the top-selling Toyota Corolla, the MG5 launched in China in late 2020, would arrive in Australia by the end of 2022, but the all-electric version of the small hatchback is yet to be confirmed for local release and the Marvel R Electric SUV has been ruled out for Australia in this generation.

Nor has MG Motor Australia confirmed it will release the recently leaked MG One crossover SUV, which remains a China-only left-hand drive model, the MG6 XPower sports sedan, the MG Cyberster sports car, for which MG Australia is studying a business case following confirmation of RHD production, or a replacement for Australia’s cheapest new model, the long-running MG3.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao said the rollout of accessible charging infrastructure across Australia, including hotels and resorts, was central to the company’s new ‘EV for everyone’ campaign.

“In Australia, purchase price is the biggest barrier to adoption of electric vehicles, closely followed by concern at the lack of public charging infrastructure,” he said.

“When we launched the MG ZS EV in late 2020, we offered the model at a price that delivered great value to customers. This has, in turn, changed the conversation about pricing of electric vehicles in Australia.

“We have achieved our ambition of delivering value and driving discussion. Now, we take the next step by supplying charging hardware that can be used by many electric vehicle owners in Australia.

“This initiative underlines MG Motor’s commitment to the Australian community which has supported us.”

Based on MG’s own Aurora charge hub, the new EV charging network will be donated to venue operators across the country and available to owners of all EV models. Prospective applicants can submit their expressions of interest at mgelectric.com.au.

Also today, MG Motor announced drive-away pricing and a seven-year, unlimited-km warranty with roadside assist for New Zealand from December 1, bringing it into line with Australia.

MG has now renamed its current HS Plug-In Hybrid as the HS Plus EV with immediate effect and the front-drive medium SUV continues to be priced at $47,990 drive-away and powered by both a petrol engine and an electric motor, providing up to 63km of EV range, CO2 emissions of just 39g/km and official combined fuel consumption of only 1.7L/100km.

“By renaming our HS electrified vehicle as Plus EV, we can provide greater clarity to the market,” said Ciao. “The renaming of the HS Plug-In Hybrid to Plus EV makes it clear to the buyer that they are purchasing an electrified vehicle.

Meantime the smaller MG ZS EV, pricing for which increased by $1000 to $44,990 drive-away on July 1, will receive similar upgrades to the ‘premium’ ZST line-up, which will continue unchanged alongside a single ZS Excite 2WD 1.5-litre auto variant (currently priced from $21,990 drive-away).

No local specs have yet been announced for the MY22 MG ZS EV, but in the UK the upgraded small SUV is available in two trim levels – SE and Trophy – that score fresh front and rear designs, LED headlights, new wheels and a new iSMART infotainment system with 10.1-inch touch-screen.

But the headline act is a new 72kWh Long Range battery pack that increases range from 262km to 440km (WLTP) and will be joined by a smaller 51kWh battery offering 320km of range.

MG says the long-range 72kWh battery can be charged from zero to 100 per cent in 10.5 hours via a standard on-board 7kW AC charger, or as little as 42 minutes using a 100kW fast-charger.

Currently in Australia, the MG ZS EV comes with a 44.5kWh battery that’s good for 263km (WLTP) between charges and takes 40 minutes to take an 80 per cent charge via a 50kW fast-charger.