Latest news with #MGZSHybrid+
Business Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
MG ZS Hybrid+ review: Hybrid hitman
[Shanghai] Some cars are just cars, but the MG ZS Hybrid+ was born to be an assassin. Its specific target, to hear MG's engineers and product planners tell it, is the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. That ought to worry the Japanese (not to mention, those who sell their cars). The small sport utility vehicle (SUV) with big sales is a showcase of what Toyota excels at, namely fuel efficiency, user-friendliness and fuss-free ownership. The fact that it's in the crosshairs of MG's parent, SAIC, is a clear sign that China's car giants are looking beyond glitzy electric vehicles (EVs) now, and are coming for Japan's hybrid heartland next. Fittingly, the ZS itself will go from being a pure EV offering in Singapore to a hybrid one when the new version arrives in the fourth quarter of the year. Its 1.5-litre petrol-electric setup is good for a gutsy 215 horsepower in other markets, but the interesting thing is that the MG can apparently run on electric power alone all the way up to 87 kmh. Nevertheless, MG is looking at how to detune the powertrain to let the car qualify for the cheaper Category A Certificate of Entitlement here. That means lopping off at least 40 per cent of its power output, which might not sound like much fun, but without it the ZS Hybrid+ would be dead on arrival. In any case, the MG's main selling point seems to be space. At 4.43 metres long, the ZS Hybrid+ is still a compact car, but it's a whole 25 centimetres longer than its Japanese foe. As a result, rear legroom is generous for the class, and the rear doors swing open wide enough that you can heave a child seat on board without dislocating a shoulder. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up I didn't have a baby stroller handy when I test drove the car at MG's private proving grounds, but to me the boot looked big enough to swallow one, maybe even two (strollers, I mean, not babies). Officially, the ZS Hybrid+ offers 443 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to a generous 1,457 litres when folded flat. Either way, there's plenty of room for luggage and groceries, in a class not known for cars with big boots. In a similar vein, MG's designers say there are 30 storage areas inside, so your kids will have no shortage of places to stash half-eaten boxes of Hello Panda biscuits. The cabin itself shows a bit of flair, with angular lines, a gear lever that looks like it was lifted from an airplane's cockpit and a crisp digital driver display screen. They suggest that MG is trying to catch the eye of younger buyers with the ZS, so I'm clearly not the target buyer. My favourite feature is the air-con vents, which are mounted nice and high, where they can actually do some good. I didn't get to play much with the 12.3-inch touchscreen, and one reason for that is that a row of physical switches lets you get by without jabbing at the screen like a fiend. The other reason is that I simply didn't spend much time behind the wheel. My test drive took place on a fenced-off patch of tarmac with enough room to show off the hybrid system's peppiness, but no real way to assess the ZS' handling (unless you count swerving around the stray dogs who wandered into the area). I also have no idea how the MG's suspension fares on real-world roads, how quiet the car is on the highway or whether the hybrid system is as fuel-efficient or smooth as Toyota's. But if first impressions count for anything, the ZS Hybrid+ is a promising car with a strong focus on the day-to-day practicality that buyers really look for in the small SUV segment. Priced competitively, this would-be assassin could have killer appeal. MG ZS Hybrid+ (as tested) Engine 1,495 cc, 16V, in-line four Electric motor 136 hp, 250 Nm Engine power 102 hp Engine torque 128 Nm System power 215 hp System torque 465 Nm Gearbox 3-speed auto Top speed 170 kmh (estimated) 0-100 kmh 8.7 seconds Fuel efficiency 4.7 L/100 km Price To be announced Agent Eurokars EV Available Now
NZ Autocar
4 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
The MG HS just got a performance and economy boost
A new Hybrid+ model joins the MG HS line-up overseas and is due here as well soon, though exact timing is unclear. In the UK, the MG HS comes with either a 125kW/275Nm 1.5 turbopetrol or a plug-in hybrid powertrain. In New Zealand we currently get the former only. However, it comes in three trim levels, Vibe, Excite and Essence. And price ranges from $35,990 to $42,990. Overseas the new Hybrid comes in SE or Trophy guise. Here the MG ZS Hybrid+ is available in Excite or Essence trim so likely as not the HS will too. Which would put it in the $45k-$50k price point, hazarding a guess. There's no official word as yet from MG New Zealand, except to say it's 'Coming Soon' on the website. The MG HS Hybrid+ powertrain comprises a turbocharged 105kW 1.5-litre petrol engine, and a 1.8kWh battery. The latter is the same as that in the MG3 and ZS Hybrid+. Its lithium-ion battery powers an auxiliary electric motor producing 145kW. The combined output is 165kW/340Nm. That allows the HS Hybrid+ to get from zero to the open road limit in a claimed 7.9sec. There's a two-speed automatic transmission that also features in the other Hybrid+ models available here. Fuel efficiency is more important than performance per se and is quoted at 5.5L/100km overall. That compares with 4.7L/100km for the ZS Hybrid+ and 6.9L/100km for the 1.5T pure petrol HS model. Externally the HS Hybrid+ looks the same as the other variants. Standard specification includes LED lights front and rear, 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a 'follow-me-home' light function. Expect also rear parking sensors, a six-way adjustable powered driver's seat, air conditioning, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function. Cabinside are two 12.3-inch displays. The central touchscreen comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The top model gets a 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone charging pad and an uprated eight-speaker sound system. A customisable driver's screen allows you to integrate sat-nav. The battery siting has no effect on the HS's interior or boot space. Like the petrol models, the Hybrid+ offers a 507L boot capacity, increasing to 1484 litres with the rear seats down. We will let you know as and when we hear from MG Motors New Zealand about the availability of this new HS addition.
