MG ZS EV

Under the arms of SAIC Motor Malaysia, the British-brand, MG has returned. Launched, the MG ZS EV, the second of its first two models.

The B-segment e-crossover (electric compact SUV) is based on the facelifted version of the ICE-powered MG ZS (2021) offered in other markets.

Fully-imported (CBU), the sole variant (Luxury) hailing from China is priced at MYR 125,999 (OTR, w/o insurance).

Each purchase includes a seven-year/150,000 KM vehicle warranty, and an eight-year/180,000 KM battery warranty (1-to-1 battery replacement - <70%).

Four exterior colours (Dynamic Red, Black Pearl, Monument Silver, Arctic White).

Seamlessly tiered, the dashboard of the new MG ZS EV is minimalistic and clean, draped in soft-touch panels (leather - second-tier, centre console). 

A Black theme with silver trims and red stitching, filling-in the layout is a centre-mounted screen (infotainment) and turbine-style air-conditioning vents (sides).

Overall, the symmetrical arrangement is fairly airy and non-cluttered, with every accessibility ergonomically-positioned and driver-centric.

Mounted is a 12.3-Inch LCD Virtual Cluster.

Plush and comfortable, the interior of the five-seater gets full leather upholstery in Black with Red stitching. 

Fitted are electronic-powered seats (driver - six-way), manual-adjustable seats (passenger), and a bench seat (rear - 60:40 split-fold).

Complementing the ambience is a panoramic glass sunroof (power - tilt, slide).

For a compact e-SUV, the interior provides comfortable seatings with generous head, leg and shoulder rooms for all five occupants. 

Mounted is a leather-wrapped steering wheel, in a three-spoke with a flat-bottom design, finished in Black with Red stitching.

Features are multi-function buttons (BTHF, media, vehicle telematics), and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Several practical spaces available. E.g., centre console caverned and partitioned spaces, a decent-sized glove box, and seat back and side door pockets.

Provided are four cup holders, two located at the front centre console and two at the rear seating’s centre armrest. Bottle holders, four with each located at the side door pockets.

Provided are one 12-V power socket (front), four USB ports (two-front, two-rear), and a wireless charger (front).

Also included is a 2.2 KW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function for powering of external devices. 

Accessing its manual-operated-tailgate, opens up to 448-Litres (seats up) and 1,187-Litres (seats down) of boot space.

Tipping the scale at 1,610 KG, the new MG ZS EV measures at 4,323 MM in length, 1,809 MM in width, 1,625 MM in height, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,581 MM.

Sleek and sporty with clean contours, its exterior parades a typical crossover SUV body with EV-specific essence.

Centre-focused, the front-end sees a sculpted bonnet, merged into a grille-deleted bumper with a central intake and corner-fitted L-shaped trims.

Filling-in the layout is the MG moniker, and lower body claddings (bumper, fenders, sides). The former in Metal finish, and the latter in Black.

A profile complementing the front, it furthers the styling by showcasing a sportily soft transition of contours.

Multi-layered, the rear-end sees a roof-edge spoiler, fairly muscular fenders, a smooth tailgate, and a sculpted bumper with corner-fitted vents and a silver diffuser.

Filling-in the layout is the MG moniker, and lower body claddings (bumper, fenders, sides). The former in Metal finish, and the latter in Black.

Headlamps are framed, slim and pointed, featuring the ‘Silverstone’ design inspired by the Silverstone Circuit.

Installed are full LED units, with arrow-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off, Follow-Me-Home function, and Intelligent High Beam Assist (IHBA). 

Wrapped-around, the tail lamps compliment the front, featuring its own ‘Phantom’ design. Installed are full LED units with arrow-shaped light graphics.

Body-coloured, the side mirrors are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with signal-indicators and Blind Spot Detection.

Mounted are ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes, incorporating an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Aiding the drive are three Regenerative Braking Modes (KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System - 1, 2, 3).

Latching it to the ground is a set of 17-Inch five-spoke two-tone alloy rims, rubbered-up in 215/55 R17 Michelin Primacy 3 ST tyres.

The new MG ZS EV features the MG Pilot suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). 

Grouped are Active Emergency Warning/Braking (AEB - Pedestrian/Bicycle Detection), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning System (LWDS), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Intelligent High Beam Assist (IHBA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA).

Others include Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and Hill-Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety comprises six airbags (driver-passenger, front side, front-rear curtain), seat belts (pretensioners, anchors, reminders), ISOFIX (outer rear seats), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (three-rear), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport). Also included are three Regenerative Braking Modes (KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System - 1, 2, 3).

Mounted is a 10.25-Inch floating-landscaped colour touchscreen. Features are Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), MG iSmart (‘Hello MG’ voice command, MG mobile app), and navigation.

Installed is a standard setup of four speakers.

Embedded in the new MG ZS EV is a front-mounted electric motor, producing 130 KW (174 PS) and 280 NM of torque.

Fused to the e-motors is a single-speed automatic transmission, featuring a rotary gear selector.

Power is transmitted to the front wheels, via a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) setup. Also present is Launch Control.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 8.0 seconds. Top speed caps out at 170 KM/H.

Juicing up the e-motor is a 51.1 KWH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery (LFP), providing 320 KM (WLTP) of driving range. 

AC charging (7 KW) takes 8 hours for a 10% to 100% State of Charge (SoC), while DC charging (50 KW) takes 54 minutes for a 10% to 80% SoC.

The new MG ZS EV features these conveniences. 

E.g., keyless entry (engine Start/Stop), MG iSmart (‘Hello MG’ voice command, MG mobile app), dual-zone automatic air-conditioning (rear air-vents, air purification system), electronic-powered seats (driver - six-way), panoramic glass sunroof (power - tilt, slide), steering wheel (BTHF, media, vehicle telematics, column adjustments, EPS), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system, LED interior lighting (reading, boot), automatic headlamps/wipers, wireless charger, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L - 2.2 KW) function, Intelligent High Beam Assist (IHBA), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).

Rear air-conditioning is provided.

Ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time. The e-SUV delivers a comfortable and light steering feel, smooth overall electric performance at all speeds.

Installed setup is Macpherson struts (front), and multi-link (rear) suspensions.

Good sound insulation with most of the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The ride is quiet, refined and the cabin is mostly serene.

This is also courtesy of the e-motor design, adopting a low-pressure casting technology (reduce - weight, noise, vibration).

The new MG ZS EV radiates a sporty and energy-filled outlook. A sleek design language that features strikingly continuous body contours.

Inside, its airy and premium-featured layout, provides a sense of comfort and easy connectivity to the occupants.

Ultimately, the build quality is satisfactory, and with its distinctive outlook and competitive pricings, the new MG ZS EV is truly a contender in its segment.