Car companies continue to make strides in the electrification of their vehicles.
One manufacturer to step up its power play is MG Motors (for Morris Garages), the Chinese owned former British auto industry mainstay.
Already the fully electric compact sports utility vehicle has made its presence felt on the EV world with the Excite and Essence models, the latter chipping in with a claimed maximum range of 320 kilometres.
Now this has been stretched to 440 kilometres with a new variant, loosely tagged Long Range, with the added plus over the Essence of a privacy rear window helping to maximise climate control, hence the comfort of occupants.
The 440km driving range comes from the switch to a 72.6 kWh battery, as opposed to the 320km courtesy of the lithium-ion 51.1 kWh battery.
The entry-level Excite has a comprehensive collection of features, including a range of drive modes, three regen braking modes, 360 degree camera i-Smart connectivity, satellite navigation, plus MG Pilot driver safety technology.
Upshift to the Essence brings to the table panoramic glass sunroof and roof rails, wireless phone charging and blind spot and rear-cross traffic alert.
A shopping list of accessories includes fabric boot mat and liner, boot lip protector and skid plate, chrome boot trim strip, dash mat, fabric or rubber floor mats, weather to four doors, printed bonnet protector, clear bonnet protector, LED scuff Plates and two door sills, towbar, roof racks, 7 kW Go Cable 22 kW rapid charge cable.
The Chinese sourced small SUV made a name as the cheapest electric vehicle on the market. Now, along comes a ZS with more mileage to offer – at a price ($11,000 to be precise).
Introduction to the new ZS electric vehicles comes with the entry-level Excite selling for $46,195, plus on-road costs, the mid-range Essence follows for a further $3000, while the Essence Long Range tops off the trio for $55,990.
The ZS Essence Long Range, the test vehicle, carries a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, as does the battery. MG’s so-called Precise Price Servicing also applies.
STYLING
No-cost paint colours are Dover White or Pebble Black, while the Brighton Blue Essence Long Range on test would set back a buyer an extra $700. All the MG EVs maintain the general shape of the petrol models with the upper radiator grille replaced by a solid surface incorporating a flap offering easy access to the charging point.
Headlamps and LED daytime running lights flank the front directly under the bonnet edge.
Propeller-style alloy wheel aero covers give the wheels a unique character.
INTERIOR
Leatherette seats, driver and front passenger positions heated, with crafted red stitching, lead the way for a premium interior feel, topped off (literally) with a truly panoramic sunroof flooding the interior with natural light.
In the rear, the 60/40 split reclining seats are surprisingly generous with leg room and give access to 359 litres of luggage space, while an under-boot cubby is reserved to take tyre repair kit and battery rapid charging tackle.
INFOTAINMENT
The ZS EV features a 10.1-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto access, allowing for integration with personal tech. However, the somewhat higgledy-piggledy layout of the info makes management fiddly, especially on the move.
Presentation of real-time vehicle performance comes with an upgraded 7-inch digital instrument cluster in direct driver field of vision. Keyless entry, wireless phone charger and six-speaker audio add to the in-cabin experience.
A signature addition to the new ZS EV is the iSMART app, allowing you to monitor and control vehicle functions remotely. For example, locate the vehicle, lock or unlock it, monitor vehicle status such as range and charge remaining.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
With 440km driving range from a 72.6 kWh battery, the new MG ZS Long Range leaves its predecessor (320km of range from the lithium-ion 51.1 kWh battery) behind. That’s not all.
In an MG first, powering external devices can be done using the ZS EV vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. Electronics can be operated on the go, or appliances such as camping gear powered using electricity stored in the lithium ion battery of an MG ZS EV.
SAFETY
The former MG ZS EV was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2019. The hallmark MG Pilot package has added adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with departure warning, traffic jam assist, intelligent cruise assist, intelligent headlamp control, speed assistance system, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert.
DRIVING
Powered by a liquid-cooled, lithium battery, with up to 72.6 kWh, delivering 280 Nm of instant torque and up to 130 kW of power, the maker claims the ZS Essence Long Range can go from zero to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds. All this with nothing but a gentle whirring of the motor.
Maximum combined energy consumption on the test touched 18 kWh per 100 kilometres. Fill her up? I topped up the ‘tank’ on a public fast charger from 60 to 80 per cent in 40 minutes at a cost of $6.83.
Designed to achieve optimum handling and chassis feel, the ZS EV’s powertrain has been packaged to achieve a low centre of gravity. Housed underneath the passenger compartment as part of the ZS EV’s flat-floor architecture, and an added bonus for occupant leg comfort, the balanced distribution of weight keeps the ZS EV planted through the corners.
The suspension appears a little firm. Braking response is good, although regenerative braking is not like some EVs with ‘single pedal’ driving. This one slows the vehicle only to a crawl, not to a halt.
With the MG Pilot willing to assist safe driving to a high level, the lane keep assist with departure warning tended to intrude too quickly and forcefully. Driving is a human activity, after all.
SUMMARY
MG has pushed out the kilometres for its small SUV EV, but is it enough for the market?
Meanwhile, the journey is set to continue even further – longer range, more technology, for fewer dollars, with MG4 rear-wheel drive hatch, which is due to arrive in the second half of this year.
RATINGS
Looks: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 5/10
Thirst: 8/10
Practicality: 5/10
Comfort: 6/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 5/10
