MG Motor shows off updated ZS EV

MG Motor has now presented the details of the announced facelift of the ZS EV, which will arrive at European dealers at the end of November. Initially, only the larger of the two will be available – the ‘Standard Range’ battery will follow later.

++ This article has been updated. Kindly continue reading below. ++

As already announced at the beginning of October, the 45 kWh battery of the pre-facelift model will be dropped from the range. The new standard battery in the facelift model comes with 50.3 kWh, which should provide a range of 320 kilometres according to WLTP. A “Long Range” battery with 70 kWh (440 kilometres according to WLTP) is available as an option.

For those who want to get the ZS EV promptly, the more expensive ‘Long Range’ model is virtually mandatory: from the market launch, only the 70 kWh energy storage unit will be available at prices starting at 37,990 euros. According to MG’s press release, the ‘Standard Range’ battery with 50.3 kWh will follow – but the SAIC subsidiary does not give a date for this.

On the other hand, there are further details about the charging technology: the announced 11 kW onboard charger will only be installed in the ‘Long Range’, the standard model will have an onboard charger with 6.6 kW as before. For DC charging, however, both batteries will be able to charge at up to 92 kW. The stated charging times are also the same (albeit with different amounts of energy): a charging process from 30 to 80 per cent should take around 30 minutes, from five to 80 per cent MG states 40 minutes.

In addition, external consumers can draw up to 2.5 kW from the drive battery via a vehicle-to-load function. As examples, MG mentions electric devices such as air pumps, electric scooters and e-bikes as well as laptops. But other electric cars should also be able to be charged in this way via ICCB.

Both the standard model and the “Long Range” have an electric motor on the front axle; the ZS EV does not have the option of all-wheel drive – MG has only offered this on the larger Marvel R Electric so far. The two battery options of the ZS EV differ in terms of performance data – but in a different way than expected. The manufacturer specifies output of 115 kW for the ‘Long Range’ model, while the ‘Standard Range’ comes in at 130 kW.

The maximum torque of 280 Nm, however, is the same for both variants, and the driving performance does not differ either. MG specifies a sprint to 50 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds. The top speed is 175 km/h in each case.

The body is also identical: the ZS EV is 4.32 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.58 metres, 1.81 metres wide and 1.65 metres high. The boot capacity ranges from 448 to 1,166 litres. In addition to the new design with a closed front, the position of the charging port has also been slightly changed with the facelift: The CCS connection is no longer hidden behind the logo (because of the flap opening upwards, the charging connection was so difficult to access in the pre-facelift model), but is installed next to the logo – with a flap opening to the side.

Both engine versions have a towing capacity of 500 kilograms. Alternatively, luggage can be stowed in a roof box with a roof load of 75 kilograms.

The interior of the facelifted model has been upgraded: For example, the analogue speedometer will be replaced by a digital cockpit. The infotainment display in the centre console has also been enlarged and positioned slightly differently.

Update 07 February 2022

MG has expanded its ZS EV line-up in the UK by introducing a new Standard Range model. With prices starting from £27,495 after the Government’s plug-in car grant, the Standard Range model features a range of up to 198 miles. To compare, the Long Range version features a range up to 273 miles. The Standard Range ZS EV uses a 51.1kWh battery, which is 6.6kWh larger than the previous version.

Update 18 July 2022

MG has revealed UK pricing and specification of the upgraded MG5 EV estate, available to order now with the first deliveries expected before the end of 2022. Buyers can choose between two specifications, with the SE priced at just £30,995 and the Trophy at £33,495.

Source: Info via email, mgmotor.eu, carkeys.co.uk, autocar.co.uk, autoevolution.com (last three update), mg.co.uk (update II)