MG ZS (crossover)

The ZS was launched in China in March 2017 and revealed at the 2017 Auto Shanghai Motor Show. It was also shown at the 2017 London Motor Show for the British market, and launched in Australia later that year.[8][9]

At launch, the ZS came in two variants, with the entry-level Soul and flagship Essence. An entry-level Core trim was released in 2018.[10] Engine options available were a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated engine producing 84 kW (114 PS; 113 hp) and 150 N⋅m (15.3 kg⋅m; 111 lb⋅ft), and a top-grade model with a 1.0-litre turbo unit offering 82 kW (111 PS; 110 hp) and 160 N⋅m (16.3 kg⋅m; 118 lb⋅ft).

In 2020, the ZS was introduced alongside the MG 5 and HS in Mexico, marking the return of the MG marque to the Mexican market after 15 years.[11]

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  2018 MG ZS (pre-facelift, United Kingdom)
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  2019 MG ZS Limited Edition (pre-facelift, UK)
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  Interior (pre-facelift)

In 2019, the facelifted ZS was revealed in China, it features a redesigned front fascia with new headlamps that are now disconnected from the grille which has been reshaped. At the rear, it gets a new rear bumper and redesigned taillamps. Its updated dashboard now has a larger 10.1 inch infotainment screen.[12]

The facelifted ZS was revealed on 24 March 2020 in Thailand, featuring 1.5-litre SAIC NetBlue Blue Core Power Technology I4 engine, eight speed CVT stepless, along with a package of driver assistance systems, six airbags and a 360-degree view monitor.

On 3 July 2020, the facelifted ZS was launched in the United Kingdom. It was shown to have a revised grille, new LED headlights, sportier front bumper and new front fog lights. The 1.5-litre engine with the five speed manual gearbox produces 105 hp (106 PS; 78 kW) and 141 N⋅m (14.4 kg⋅m; 104 lb⋅ft) of torque. 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) takes 10.4 seconds, with a top speed of 109 mph (175 km/h).[13][12]

In September 2020, MG launched the ZS facelift as the MG ZST in Australia. The 'T' letter denotes the newly introduced turbo engine which is a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine with 6-speed automatic gearbox and MG Pilot safety features.[14][15]

In September 2021, the facelift version was introduced in India as the MG Astor and will be sold alongside the ZS EV. Several adjustments were made for the Indian market, such as a redesigned grille.[16]

In 2023, the MG ZS in facelift model were launched in the Taiwan market by importing to the country from China by China Motor Corporation, and later being locally assembled. The Taiwanese-market ZS engine is only 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine mated to a CVT. It has a Level 2 driver assistance (MG Pilot) equipment in a single specification.

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  2020 MG ZS (facelift)
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  2020 MG ZS (facelift)
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  2021 MG Astor (India)
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  Interior (facelift)

The ZS has two petrol engines options, an updated SMTC developed version of the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre as found in the MG3, known in this guise as the NSE Plus (formerly just NSE) the updated engine is tuned differently in each market based on locally applicable emission regulations.

In China, for example, the engine is tuned to deliver 120 PS (118 hp; 88 kW) and 150 N⋅m (15.3 kg⋅m; 111 lb⋅ft) torque. In the United Kingdom, where the emission regulations are more strict, the engine delivers 106 PS (105 hp; 78 kW) and 141 N⋅m (14.4 kg⋅m; 104 lb⋅ft) of torque.

The second engine is a new turbocharged three cylinder engine, developed by SAIC in conjunction with General Motors. In China, it produces 125 PS (123 hp; 92 kW) and 175 N⋅m (17.8 kg⋅m; 129 lb⋅ft) torque, but in the United Kingdom, it produces 111 PS (109 hp; 82 kW) and 160 N⋅m (16.3 kg⋅m; 118 lb⋅ft) torque.[8]

An all electric version made its debut as EZS at the 2018 Guangzhou Auto Show, featuring a 44.5 kWh battery, and a front positioned motor producing 143 PS (141 hp; 105 kW) or 150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) and 350 N⋅m (35.7 kg⋅m; 258 lb⋅ft) to the front wheels.[17][18] It is available in the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, Thailand, China, India, New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan. Except for China, the electric SUV is officially named as ZS EV, while the official name in China is EZS.[19]

It was revealed in Australia in November 2020 as the cheapest electric car in the market of all time. MG Australia predicted a sales target of 3,000 unit for the 2021 model year.[20]

In fall 2021, a facelift version arrived in Europe; it is scheduled to arrive in the UK in November 2021. Besides styling changes, it is also equipped with a larger, 72.6-kWh battery. At least in some markets, the manufacturer intends to introduce a smaller, 51-kWh battery version later.[21][22][23] It was also launched in India on 7 March 2022.

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  MG ZS EV (pre-facelift)
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  MG ZS EV (pre-facelift)
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  MG ZS EV (facelift, Germany)
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  MG ZS EV (facelift, Germany)
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  Interior (pre-facelift)

A hybrid electric version was released in Thailand in July 2022 as the MG VS HEV. The VS features a redesigned front fascia and an updated dashboard design adapted from the Chinese market Roewe Lomemo. Total system output is rated at 177 PS (175 hp; 130 kW).[24][25]

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  MG VS HEV (Thailand)
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  Rear view

The MG ZS scored a three star safety rating in the crash tests organised by Euro NCAP in December 2017,[26] while the electric MG EZS received a five star safety rating.[27][28]

Euro NCAP test results MG ZS (2017) Test Points % Overall: Adult occupant: 27.3 71% Child occupant: 25.1 51% Pedestrian: 25.1 59% Safety assist: 3.5 29%

Euro NCAP test results MG ZS EV (2019) Test Points % Overall: Adult occupant: 34.5 90% Child occupant: 41.7 85% Pedestrian: 31 64% Safety assist: 9.2 70%

2020 MG ZS C+ (2 airbags) ASEAN NCAP scores[29] Overall stars Adult occupant 32.27/36.00 Child occupant 40.96/49.00 Safety assist 15.28/18.00

In 2021 and 2022, the MG ZS was the best-selling small SUV in Australia.[30][31]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MG ZS (China).

• Official website