MG’s Marvel R not on NZ agenda

Might large successor to a model from sister brand Roewe show as a premium model from yet another sibling marque?

MOVES by more Chinese car makers to target the luxury electric vehicle segment seem probable – but the push into right-hand-drive countries likely won’t include MG’s latest.

While Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) – which holds the now Chinese-made British-born MG marque in its stable, has discounted its large Marvel R from being available to New Zealand, it might yet have another card to play.

In the wake of rival Geely announcing it will launch a new premium EV brand, Zeekr, SAIC has also indicated it will have an upscale marque in the mix as well – known simply as R.

Zeekr and R both plan to offer models all around the globe – and the first concept, the R ES33, appears to be a development of the Marvel.

The concept is said to have 33 sensors on board, including a 4D imaging radar, Luminar lidar, laser radar, and an ultrasonic radar.

That’s a higher technical load than comes with the Marvel R, which a spokesman for MG Motor New Zealand has indicated is unlikely to steer into this market, saying it is primarily designed for sale in Europe.

''Information about the new MG Marvel R SUV relates to European product and launch timing.  We don't have any announcements to make at the moment with regards to the local market.”

Marvel is a name already familiar to Shanghai Automotive followers, though previously it has been presented as a product of another of its brand, Roewe. A Roewe Marvel was brought to NZ by MG Motor here to demonstrate SAIC’s technology level. 

The MG Marvel R hitting Europe soon would conceivably serve similar purpose.

There will be two versions; one will have two electric motors on the rear axle, and the other will have a third electric motor on the front axle, making it four-wheel drive.

The four-wheel-drive model’s three motors generate 214kW and 665Nm of torque, and can accelerate the Marvel R from 0-100kmh in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 200kmh.

 The brand claims it has a WLTP electric range of 400km, which is less than class-leading, but recharging is fast. The batteries can be topped up from empty to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, using a fast charger. The model also features a V2L (vehicle-to-load) system, which allows the car’s batteries to power an external device, such as an air pump, or even to charge another electric vehicle.

At 4674mm long, 1919mm wide and 1618mm tall, the Marvel R is slightly larger than the Roewe Marvel. It has a 2800mm wheelbase.

The boot offers 357 litres of space, rising to 1396 litres with the rear seats folded down.

PHEV wars – MG HS coming to rough up Outlander

Brit-by-birthright, Chinese-by-ownership, international-by-intent MG is about to release a competitor for the country’s favourite new plug-in hybrid. 

 MG’s flagship sports utility, the medium-sized HS, will come on sale here in April in a plug-in electric format for $52,990.

The first plug-in hybrid brand model from MG owner SAIC is also the marque’s second electric car here. 

It stands as a big brother to the $4000 cheaper and physically smaller pure electric ZS EV, also a front-drive five seater, whose position as the country’s cheapest fully electric new car has seen it capture strong sales since release four months ago.

The HS will present in a high level specification with a primary target seemingly being a car that has basically had this sub-sector all to itself, the popular choice Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, though potentially the Toyota RAV4 Prime coming later will also become another rival.

 The face-off between the HS and Outlander in present formats will likely rage for all of 2021, because even though the current Outlander is set to be replaced this year, the version with a PHEV format is not arriving until 2022.

They seem sure to become intriguing rivals – for the past year the Outlander has had a 2.4-litre petrol engine, replacing the original’s 2.0-litre, and updated to a higher capacity battery. It sells for $52,490 in XLS and $58,990 in VRX – the latter having a spec level that the MG is set up to match.

MG’s drivetrain pairs a 119kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor for a combined output of 209kW and a 0-100kmh time of 6.9 seconds.

 The MG has a claimed full electric range of 52kms – just 3kms short of the Outlander’s optimal - from its liquid-cooled 16.6kWh battery pack and is claimed to narrowly beat the Japanese offer on overall economy.

Thrift of 1.7 litres per 100km, calculated using the updated WLTP cycle, was quoted at today’s online link to a media conference held in Australia. Mitsubishi reckons Outlander will achieve 1.9L/100km. The HS CO2 count is 39 grams per kilometre.

The HS can be operated in full electric that mode until the battery exhausts; replenishment is by Type 2 plug, with a from-empty recharge on the 7kWh wallbox MG will also sell taking five hours, or fully overnight if plugged into a normal three pin socket.

 Power is sent to the front wheels from both power sources through a newly developed 10-speed gearbox. This involves a six-speed orthodox automatic gearbox while the electric motor uses a four-speed drive unit. Outlander, of course, has a CVT. Unbraked towing is 750kg.

Equipment levels are high. The car takes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry and climate control, a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, leather upholstery, ambient lighting and LED headlights.

Safety features equipped as standard across the range include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning and blind-spot detection. The HS has already achieved a full five-star safety rating from ANCAP. 

The HS PHEV is backed with an 8-year, 160,000-kilometre battery warranty and a 5-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty,

Speaking at the launch, Peter Ciao, MG Motor New Zealand’s chief executive 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.”

While MG has so far based its market presence around petrol cars, the corporate aim is to go increasingly electric.

Even so, MG also added two other HS editions, the Excite and Essence X, which respectively place at $39,990 and $45,990. These have all-wheel-drive.

MG ZS EV our first sub-$50k electric car

The cheapest new electric car in the market just got cheaper

INTENT to establish the MG ZS EV as the country’s cheapest new electric car has seen the distributor move yet again on the pricing, clipping $7000 off the tag it had only recently set.

A repricing to $48,990, announced today, means the model becomes the first sub-$50,000 brand-new fully electric car and also means it retails for $1000 less than the ‘special introductory price’ that was offered to the first 50 orders, when that book was opened a year ago.

Once that count was fulfilled, MG revised the price to $50,100 for the next 100 pre-orders. Then, when the car ultimately landed, it debuted with an official sticker price of $55,990.

MG has not yet clarified if any remuneration cheques are in the mail.

The new pricing allows even more space between this model and others that could be conceived as rivals, though those cars - the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq EV and Volkswagen’s e-Golf - were still more expensive when the MG held its previous price. The e-Golf is really out of the hunt anyway, as supply of that model exhausts at the end of the month. 

The MG’s price drop could well raise its allure with the Government, which has recently signalled interest in accepting the models as a potential fleet car.

The electric MG comes with an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty plus a five year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and five year roadside assist package.

“The first cars are arriving in dealers now and our business plan is designed to make EVs more affordable and available to everyone,” said MG Motor Australia and New Zealand chief executive Peter Ciao. 

“We are making a commitment that each electric vehicle sold by MG locally will offer value that encourages mainstream adoption. MG wants to make zero-emission motoring add up for the first time for customers locally.

“An attainable electric vehicle is the first step in creating demand in market which will lead to better infrastructure, something that MG Motor is a proud champion of.”

The ZS EV’s 44.5kWh battery pack is larger than that in the Leaf and Ioniq, but claimed combined range of 262 kilometres is less than for the Hyundai. MG says the car will achieve 370km at urban pace. The electric motor creates 105kW of power and 353Nm of torque.

Eighty percent charge is expected to come in 40 minutes when the MG is plugged into a 50kW CCS charger.

MG also recently put up interesting argument about the relevance of the products mixed heritage; being a ‘British’ brand now in ownership of China’s largest producer of electric cars, Shanghai Automotive.

Auckland-based country manager Antony MacLean conjects any reputational stigma is unwarranted and that a vehicle's country of origin is no longer relevant. 

Cars these days are international products, he says. As example, MG’s safety systems are from a German company, Bosch. He also reminded that as much as Apple is perceived as an American brand, it was common knowledge iPhones were only made in China.

MG confirms second electric car, for early 2021

A competitor for the country’s favourite new plug-in hybrid is coming. 

AN electrified variant of MG’s flagship sports utility, the HS, will arrive here in early 2021 to become the second model in an increasingly battery-involved product strategy.

Unveiled just yesterday, the HS EV will present here from the first quarter in highest-trimmed Essence spec with a primary target being a car that has basically had this sub-sector all to itself, the popular choice Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The models’ facedown in present formats will likely rage for all of 2021, as even though the current Outlander is set to be replaced next year by a new generation car, with greater involvement from technology partner Nissan. The next PHEV is more likely arriving in 2022. 

They seem sure to become intriguing rivals.

For the past year the Outlander has had a 2.4-litre petrol engine, replacing the original’s 2.0-litre, and updated to a higher capacity (13.8kWh) battery, sells for $52,490 in XLS and $58,990 in VRX, has a claimed full electric range of 55 kilometres, achieves fast charge replenishment in 25 minutes and delivers 1.9 litres per 100km optimal fuel burn, according to the factory. 

No price has been set for the HS yet and the local specification has not been finalised, however the drivetrain is known – it pairs a 119kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor for a combined output of 189kW and a 0-100kmh time of 7.5 seconds.

 Power is sent to the front wheels from both power sources through a newly developed 10-speed gearbox. This involves a six-speed orthodox automatic gearbox while the electric motor uses a four-speed drive unit.

A 16.6kWh battery pack gives an electric-only range of 51km and can be charged to full capacity in three hours using a Type 2 charger. It and emits 43g/km.

Equipment levels are high. The standard car, which is not being considered for introduction, takes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry and climate control. The flagship trim adds a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, leather upholstery, ambient lighting and LED headlights in the specification offered in the United Kingdom, the car’s first right hand drive market. Whether the NZ spec will mirror the British market’s remains to be seen.

Safety features equipped as standard across the range include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning and blind-spot detection.  

While MG has so far based its market presence around petrol cars, the corporate aim is to go increasingly electric. How well that realises in New Zealand, however, will ultimately rest on political interest in battery driving, country manager Antony MacLean says. 

“The groundwork is there but at the moment it seems the country has taken a breath in respect to deciding what to do next.

“I think no-one (among political parties) has quite decided that so the election and its outcome is going to be interesting.”

MG here has, of course, already started its electric journey with the MG ZS EV, a smaller crossover car that will go on sale soon. That model has already attracted Government interest as a potential fleet car; the HS is also already on the all-of-Government list, from which tender vehicles are selected.

The medium crossover will release for $55,990 plus on-roads, a sticker that will make it the country’s cheapest wholly battery-driven car – a title presently held by two contenders, the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf. Both currently listed at $61,990.

The only potential hindrance to acceptance, if more than local driving is intended on regular basis, is range: A factory-cited 262kms betters the Golf but bows to size-equivalents the Leaf and Hyundai Kona. 

Though full economy and ultimate range figures for the HS EV have yet to be given, MacLean is confident it will be the model that assuages any such concerns.

He also sees the car as having a very solid volume potential. “I’m really excited about this product … it will do an excellent job bridging the gap between pure electric and petrol cars.”

Also potentially available to MG here but unlikely to be taken up unless market conditions change is another full electric, the MG5 (above), which is spun off a fossil-fuelled station wagon sold by sister brand Rowe.

The front-wheel-drive electric edition is powered by a 114kW electric motor and features a 52.2kWh battery, giving a range of 344km. It can accelerate from 0-100kmh in just over eight seconds and can be charged from zero to 80 percent in 50 minutes using a rapid charger.

A large luggage capacity of 580 litres is a positive, but MacLean is wary of offering a station wagon in a strongly SUV-centric market.

 “My feeling is that we are an SUV market and ZS EV is better suited. However we are always looking for opportunities so if customers show preference, who knows.”

China's cheapie on Govt EV menu

MG Motor’s first electric car stands chance of becoming the pride of the state fleet.

GOVERNMENT has joined private buyers in showing interest in the first electric car offered here by a Chinese brand.

Getting onto the an all-of-Government fleet tender system, from which Government department drive choices are made, was recently acknowledged by Anthony MacLean, country manager for the car’s maker, SAIC Motor, and is a big green tick for the MG ZS EV.

The medium crossover will release in November for $55,990 plus on-roads, a sticker that will make it the country’s cheapest wholly battery-driven car – a title presently held by two contenders, the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf. Both currently listed at $61,990.

Though the price-leader status is not necessarily indicative of electrics suddenly becoming cheaper to build – in that this model is still almost double the price of the most expensive of the four petrol versions – the EV’s placement will surely hold appeal to taxpayer-funded fleets that have been tardy to follow policy to buy more electrics, mainly because it has struggled to afford them.

The five-seater model is from MG, which through its background of British birthright, prefers to see itself an international entity, though it’s ownership by Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) rates it as a pukka Chinese automotive industry success story.

As sharp as the launch price might seem, the car was even cheaper for the 120 Kiwis who pre-ordered. 

Fifty who put their dollars 12 months ago benefitted from an early bird $49,990 buy-in that achieved target within a fortnight of announcement. 

Conceivably, if the Government gives it a go, then the purchasing process will seek to extract an even cheaper deal. 

Expectation of discounts of up to 30 percent off RRP are often cited when the industry lets slip about the State’s bulk purchase processes.

The car is an intriguing opportunity. With a 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery, a 110kW/350Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor, and a NEDC-based electricity consumption of 13.8kWh per 100km, it seems set to offer reasonable performance.

Whether it will raise range anxiety has yet to be seen. In respect to how far it goes on a charge, with a factory-cited 262kms it tops the Golf but bows to size-equivalents the Leaf and Hyundai Kona.

MG Motor New Zealand itself has set a slightly lower range expectation of 250km based on driving in Auckland, mixing with urban traffic but excluding motorways, with the air conditioning on and with a driver and passenger. It says this trial was undertaken to validate real world range versus WLTP testing data, not to confirm or claim motor efficiency.

How it might perform at a steady 100km has yet to spelled out. But there’s good reason why the brand is reminding its customer base that the national recharging network is in reasonable shape, with a public charging point of some kind available every 70kms of main national highway on average.

The CCS Combined and Type 2 charging ports in the grille are compatible with the national charging infrastructure.  The car can be powered up to 80 percent in 40 minutes using a 50kW fast-charger, seven hours with a 7kW charger unit of the type that can be installed at home - or simply trickle charged using a standard three-point plug.

SAIC Motor makes its own charging boxes, but MG here has opted to use a third party supplier, TransNet, to supply and install a Wallbox range of home chargers in customers’ homes. 

MG has also announced a T edition of the ZS in 1.3-litre turbo petrol format, featuring the MG Pilot driver safety provision that packages a spread of assist functions, including forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, a traffic jam assist and adaptive cruise with an intelligent capacity.