Sister ship to S5 seemingly set for one trim level, one battery choice more power and all-wheel-drive option.

POST-June arrival has been promised for the MG brand’s rival to mainstream electric family SUVs.

Expected to compete against the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr, the MG S6 has yet to price but will provision in long range rear and all-wheel-drive configurations, MG New Zealand’s boss has confirmed at a media function today.

That comment from Dean Sheed suggests a model with a 77kWh battery and 180kW/350Nm and a WLTP range of 529km in rear-drive, and 266kW/540Nm a WLTP range of 484km and 0-100kmh in 5.1 seconds, so 2.5s faster.

Another rear-drive with a 62kWh battery appears discounted from NZ selection.

The AWD automatically engages the front motor when traction is limited. Both versions are electronically limited to 200kmh.

The model’s acceptance for this market comes hot on the heels of its unveiling for sale in Australia, also later in the year.

Acceptance became a formality and a regional opportunity after it achieved Australian government approval and a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test score.

Built on MG’s Modular Scalable Platform, already used in the MG4, the MG S6 is all about space, family-friendly practicality, refinement and sharp handling, according to international information from the brand.

It is essentially a larger, better equipped offspring of the MG S5, a rear drive car running a 125kW electric motor, and a choice of either a 49kWh or 62kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, in entry Excite and higher-trimmed Essence, pricing from $44,990 and topping with a $10,000-dearer flagship.

The S6 comes with extra room and more powerful motor combinations.

The car has a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a suite of active safety features.

Tenor of comment from Sheed suggests NZ will go for a fulsome provision, which likely means swapping the 19 inch alloys for 20s and including a fixed glass roof with an electric blind, a head up display, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger and a upmarket 11-speaker stereo.

It is 4708mm long with a 2835mm wheelbase, whereas the S5 is 4476mm long, sitting on a 2730mm wheelbase. The S6 boot capacity quoted at 674 litres (tp to 1910 litres with the seats folded), against the S5’s 450, and it has a 124 litre frunk.

All models support rapid public charging from 10 to 80 percent in 38 minutes and offer five drive modes plus five levels of energy regeneration, including One-Pedal driving.

Seven airbags are standard, supported by the MG Pilot driver-assistance suite, which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, blind-spot detection, lane-keeping, Intelligent Speed Assist and a driver-monitoring system. Drivers can also customise assistance features through MG Pilot Custom.

MG says it collaborated with Continental on a new integrated braking booster for sharper brake response.

The car’s styling is described as being technical and influenced by MG's Cyberster convertible.

There’s a split front grille, new LED lighting signatures, load-bearing roof rails and a full-width rear light bar designed for both aesthetics and improved aerodynamics.