MG's first plug-in hybrid has landed in New Zealand

Thursday, 26 August 2021

The MG HS Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t really look all that different to a normal HS.

MG Motor New Zealand's first plug-in hybrid has arrived, taking the form of the HS medium SUV.

The HS Plug-In Hybrid swaps the combustion-only powertrain of the regular HS for a new set-up combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a single electric motor. Combined output is 189kW/370Nm, enough for a nice 0-100kmh acceleration time of 6.9 seconds.

A high-spec digital interior is standard as well.

MG doesn’t specify the size of the battery, but its big enough for a claimed electric range of 63km, while combined fuel consumption is rated at 1.7L/100km and CO2 emissions are 39g/km. That range is based on the NEDC test cycle, however, and will probably come in closer to 50km in real world running.

A new ‘Intelligent Hybrid Energy Management’ system means the SUV can “intuitively identifies and adapts power output depending on the road conditions, whilst actively learning the operator’s individual driving style to adjust power and rationalise the battery ratio accordingly.

The HS is MG's latest offering in the medium SUV segment. We drive it.

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The PHEV can be had in the same shade of blue as the fully electric ZS.

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The plug-in HS is based on the top-spec Essence version, which means it gets all the good stuff as standard. That includes LED ambient lighting, LED daytime running lights and head/taillights, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 10.1-inch infotainment display.

MG’s full Pilot active safety suite is also bundled, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot detection, lane assist, and forward-collision warning.

It also comes in the same shade of blue as the MG ZS EV.

Peter Ciao, CEO, MG Motor New Zealand, said: “The new MG HS Plug-In Hybrid brilliantly showcases the intelligence and innovation we have available within our brand. It offers our customers the opportunity to experience new energy innovation, while remaining in the comfort of a true SUV that is equal parts stylish, sporty and spacious.”

“The MG HS Plug-In Hybrid is our first plug-in hybrid, our second new energy vehicle, and one that we’re delighted to bring to our New Zealand customers as part of our commitment to making new energy vehicles mainstream in New Zealand.”

The MG HS Plug-In Hybrid is available from $52,990 plus on-road costs and is backed with a 7-year, unlimited-kilometre battery warranty and a 5-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty. That price is eligible for a Clean Car Programme rebate of $5750, putting it down to $47,240 plus ORCs.

Compare that to the ZS EV’s post-rebate price of $40,365, but remember the HS is a size above the ZS.