All-new MG ZS Hybrid teased ahead of 28 August reveal
MG’s popular small SUV will come with hybrid power with the all-electric ZS EV set to be replaced by a new model
After hinting to Auto Express that a new MG ZS is on the way, the maker has teased the second-generation small SUV online, with a reveal date of 28 August.
Since February, MG has introduced the MG3 hybrid supermini, Cyberster electric sports car, and HS mid-size SUV. The new ZS will complete the revised line-up and continue to rival cars like the Dacia Duster and Citroen C3 Aircross. MG has decided not to renew the popular ZS EV this time around; an all-new model based on the MG4 will fill that gap in due course.
As for the new MG ZS, we can see plenty from a new official teaser photo and video. The prominent and wide front grille is something we’ve seen on MG’s new HS and MG3 supermini – as are the angular headlights that flow into the nose. There’s a contrasting section of the lower bumper designed to look like a skid plate, plus further air intakes to the side to give the ZS a more imposing front end. The side profile is similar to the old car's with an expansive glass house which should make the cabin light and airy. The rear end showcases a similar set of tail lights to the new MG3 and there's a rather sporty set of twin exhaust shrouds in the bumper.
The ‘ZS HEV’ plate matches recent confirmation from MG UK’s head of product and planning, David Allison, who told Auto Express that the new ZS will feature the same full-hybrid powertrain as the award-winning MG3 Hybrid+. A pure-petrol version will join the range early next year.
The MG3 Hybrid+ is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, one electric motor and a 1.83kWh battery – and the HS is expected to share this set-up. In the supermini, this setup can return 64.2mpg and produces up to 192bhp – as much as 134bhp coming from the e-motor, along with 250Nm of torque. Plus the larger-than-average battery allows for more pure-electric driving, which should apply to the new ZS too.
Allison also said: “I've got to say, putting Cyberster to one side, of all of the cars that we’re launching or will have launched this year, as an overall package I think the new ZS is actually the best of them all. It’s packaged really well, the interior is lovely and It drives extremely well.”
First examples are expected to arrive in dealerships by October, but that might not be soon enough, as MG is running out of stock of the outgoing car. “We've literally ordered as many as the factory could build us and we'll probably be out by the end of August,” Allison said.
Once that happens, MG hopes to be able to steer buyers interested in the current model towards the new one, and to do so the firm will “probably announce pricing and open orders a little bit ahead of ordinarily we would do,” according to Allison.
“That's purely because by that point we'll be pretty much gone of the existing car,” Allison said. “So at least we'll be able to say to people that if you can hold on for another month or six weeks there is another one coming.”
Are you excited for the new MG ZS? Let us know in the comments section below...
