MG is not a car brand I think very much about, with their products always feeling a little quirky to me, but they certainly got my attention today.
MG Motor Australia has announced the Australian pricing for the GS ZS EV, at just A$43,990 driveaway, it’s one of Australia’s cheapest EVs. The starting price is actually Australia’s cheapest EV so far, at A$40,990 + on-road costs.
The MG ZS EV features a 44.5kWh battery, good for a very healthy 353Nm of torque and 104kW of power. This translates to a combined range of 262 km (WLTP) and when we now have fast-charging options almost every 150km, that’s a fairly viable range. City range is rates at 371 km, thanks to the benefits of regenerative braking, feeding power back into the battery.
One of the biggest questions in buying an EV is always charging. The new MG ZS EV features a CCS DC fast charging or Type 2 AC charging. When taking a longer trip, the MG ZS EV can be rapidly charged to 80% in around 40 minutes from a 50kW DC fast charger.
Most owners will likely opt to charge overnight at home on a 7kW domestic charger, where a full charge can take approximately only 7 hours.
In terms of deploying that battery energy, there’s choice of 3 drive modes, Eco, Normal and Sport. As you’d expect the sporty driving gives you a faster acceleration, which consumes more power. If distance is your focus, Eco mode is perfect for you.
When it comes to entertainment, the 8″ touchscreen features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, ticking a couple of important checkboxes for new car buyers. This pairs with a six-speaker surround sound audio system, along with other tech like satellite navigation and keyless entry.
MG Motor’s are also commitment to safety, including MG Pilot, a full suite of driver safety technologies which include Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Collison Warning, Emergency Braking, Speed Assist and Lane Departure warnings in the MG ZS EV.
We can also confirm the Panoramic Stargazer Sunroof, covering 90 per cent of the roof comes standard.
Until now, buyers have had to pay a premium price for an EV. This has meant that only a small portion of the public can afford to buy an EV. Our vision at MG Motor is to change this situation by making electric vehicles available and accessible to everyone.
By removing the affordability barrier, we are seeking to fast track EV adoption in Australia and New Zealand.
The first cars are arriving in dealers now and our business plan is designed to make EVs more affordable and available to everyone. Our retail network is excited to be part of a movement that seeks to make EVs a mainstream choice.
Yet, this is just the beginning of our next chapter. 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.”
Peter Ciao, CEO, MG Motor Australia and New Zealand
What’s great about the ZS EV, is that as an affordable SUV, some will consider an EV like this for their next car, perhaps for the first time. Transporting a family is possible, thanks to the 359L bootspace to carry luggage, or the weekly shopping. For those times where you need to move larger items, you can fold the rear seat down and get a massive 1166L.
Of course, the best thing about buy an EV is the lower running costs and dramatically lower service costs. With an electric vehicle, there are simply far fewer components that need maintenance and that can fail due to wear over its life.
The reference to ‘Electric for everyone’ stems from MG Motor’s parent company, SAIC Motor, which has invested heavily in electric vehicles. This also includes new energy vehicle technologies, processes and battery production, making it one of only a handful of auto manufacturers to own its EV supply chain.
In 2019, that expertise resulted in the production of more than 185,000 electric vehicles, making it one of the top five EV producers globally by volume. MG Motor now brings this experience to the local market, enabling it to deliver state-of-the-art EV technology at the best value and packed with features.
Standard features include:
- One variant/Trim level
- Two tone 17-inch alloy wheels
- MG logo with charging breathing light
- Diamond radiator grille
- London eye headlamps
- Lipped waistline
- Synthetic leather flat bottomed steering wheel
- 360-degree Turbo vents
- Soft touch dash material
- Rotary Gear Selector
- Electric Parking Brake
- 3 Regenerative Braking Modes (Light, Moderate, Heavy – S-Pedal)
- 3 Driving Modes (Eco, Normal and Sport)
- Centre Armrest
- Panoramic Stargazer Sunroof
- 8-inch colour touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite Navigation
- Synthetic leather upholstery with French double-stitching
- Silver Roof Rails
- MG Pilot – Driver Safety Technology
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Intelligent Cruise Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Speed Assist
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automated Emergency Braking
- Intelligent Headlamp Control
Exterior Colours
- Clipper Blue, metallic paint (Exclusive to MG ZS EV)
- Diamond Red, metallic paint
- Regal Blue, metallic paint
- Dover White
- Pebble Black
Dimensions of the MG ZS EV
We know some of you love the detail, so below are the physical specs of the vehicle.
| Length | 4,314mm |
| Width | 1,809mm |
| Height | 1,644mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,585mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,532kg, 50kgs more than MG ZS |
| Maximum trunk space | 1166L |
The MG ZS EV is backed by an 8 year, 160,000km battery warranty, 5-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty, and 5-year roadside assist.
More information is available at https://mgmotor.com.au/models/mg-zsev/
