MG has ushered in its first plug-in hybrid with a new electrified variant of its MG Motor HS flagship SUV, available to order next month from £29,995.
The PHEV will be sold alongside the all-new 5 electric estate and the smaller ZS EV, as MG targets 50% of total sales being EVs and PHEVs by 2021. It currently claims to have the highest proportional EV mix of any mainstream manufacturer with a combustion offering.
The new HS Plug-in pairs a 160bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 121bhp electric motor for a combined output of 254bhp and a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec. Power is sent to the front wheels from both power sources through a newly developed 10-speed automatic gearbox that is claimed to “optimise power delivery and efficiency”.
A 16.6kWh battery pack gives an electric-only range of 32 miles and can be charged to full capacity in three hours using a Type 2 charger. Unlike the 5 and ZS EV, the HS Plug-in’s charging port is located on the opposite side to the fuel filler, rather than underneath the front grille.
Full economy figures have yet to be detailed, but the HS Plug-in emits 43g/km of CO2 on the WLTP combined cycle and can be expected to improve dramatically on the standard automatic car’s 36.2mpg consumption rating.
The interior is familiar from the standard HS, as is the simple trim level structure. Entry-level Excite cars get 18in alloy wheels, leather-style upholstery, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a 360deg camera, keyless entry and dual-zone climate control. Exclusive trim bumps the price up to £32,495 and brings an opening panoramic roof, an electric boot, leather seats, ambient lighting, LED headlights and sequential indicators.
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 currently accounts for around 20% of MG’s UK sales, and sales and marketing boss Daniel Gregorious said the new arrival will increase the model’s market share because “it’s a tremendously affordable package” that sits at a price point “comparable to some other manufacturers’ smaller internal-combustion-engine models”.
READ MORE
How MG Motor is driving its way back to the big time
Join the debate
Add your comment
The price isn't as
The price isn't as competitive as I was expecting. £29,995 seems pretty steep for a value branded PHEV, and brings it perilously close to the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, which starts from £32,980, albeit with a considerably meaner equipment specification.
Mini Countryman is not a competitor
The ZS is more of a rival to the Countryman. A nearer rival is the Peugeot 3008 which starts at £35830 with 225hp
A 16kwh battery...
gives just 32 miles range and probably just 25 in the real world. In a small to mid size 2wd car that is very very poor and a waste of a battery. Worth mentioning it would also cost 2 pound to charge. MG, stick to BEVs
Better than a Kia
kia Niro PHEV 30 mile range and combined BHP of only 139 is smaller but cost more. For the performance and specification offered seams like good value to me.