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MG’s small electric SUV gets an update, with a longer driving range, a new look and new tech.
The 2023 MG ZS EV electric SUV has received a facelift in Europe, with first Australian arrivals in the second half of 2022.
Whereas the current ZS EV is offered solely with a 44.5kWh battery delivering 263km of range (according to European WLTP protocols), the updated ZS EV can be had with a choice of 50.3kWh Standard Range and 70kWh Long Range batteries, offering up to 440km of WLTP range – an increase of 67 per cent.
The 440km range is achieved with the Long Range pack, which is paired to a 150kW/280Nm electric motor driving the front wheels (versus 105kW/353Nm in the outgoing model).
The 51kWh Standard Range battery is capable of 320km of WLTP range – a 22 per cent increase – and is connected to a 130kW/280Nm electric motor on the front axle.
Upgraded 92kW DC fast-charging (up from 50kW) allows a five to 80 per cent charge in approximately 40 minutes for the Long Range, joined by either 6.6kW or 11kW AC home charging capabilities with the smaller and larger batteries respectively, and new charging LED indicators behind the front-mounted charging flap.
MG Europe claims all models are capable of 0-50km/h acceleration in 3.6 seconds, 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds (up from 8.2 seconds in today’s car, given the additional weight), and top speeds of 175km/h.
On the outside, the facelifted MG ZS EV mixes the updated Australian-market ZST’s design elements with a bolder, more aerodynamic look, centred around a new front fascia with a blanked-off grille, new LED headlights (and daytime-running lights), and a side-opening charge port.
New 17-inch alloy wheels fill the arches, while at the rear there’s a new rear bumper and restyled tail-light signatures.
Inside, the ZS EV adopts the ZST’s 10.1-inch ‘iSmart’ infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio, plus a new 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, wireless smartphone charging, and support for the MG’s smartphone companion app.
The full MG Pilot safety suite is on offer, as before, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control (new), lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Automatic LED headlights are available in Europe, though it remains to be seen whether these make the journey to Australia.
The 2022 MG ZS EV facelift will go on sale in Europe this month, ahead of its Australian launch in the second half of 2022.
Australian pricing and specifications will be announced in the second quarter of 2022 (April to June), however prices in Germany will start from €33,990 ($AU54,600) before subsidies for the Standard Range model – up €2000 ($AU3200) over late 2020 pricing for the pre-facelift version.
Applying a similar six per cent increase to the ZS EV’s current $44,990 drive-away list price in Australia could take the new model to nearly $48,000 on the road – potentially unseating it as Australia’s cheapest electric passenger car (excluding the inbound BYD range).
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