One can say that the MG ZS is the model that helped find the British-Chinese automaker’s footing in the Philippines. It came in at the right time when more local consumers were looking for small crossovers, and more importantly, it carried the right price.
Now, there’s an all-new model, and it’s just been previewed for the first time in Southeast Asia. It made its local premiere during the recent Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS), and it could be an indicator that it might soon land in the Philippines.
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The model shown there was the Hybrid+ variant. In this form, it pairs a 1.5-liter engine to a single electric motor. The result is a combined power output of 193hp and a maximum torque figure of 465Nm. More importantly, MG claims a fuel consumption figure of 23.6km/L.
As this is a preview, the display unit might not necessarily be the final specification for the region. Still, it’s worth pointing out that the car that was in the show had neat features fitted standard. There’s the seven-inch digital driver’s display and a sizable 12.3-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a 360-degree view camera.
Other highlights? There’s six-way power adjustable front seats, so we reckon it’s the top-spec variant that was shown in Malaysia. An advanced driver assist system is included with features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise, and lane keep assist. Also standard is the MG iSmart app for mobile phone to vehicle connectivity.
The dimensions of the next-generation MG ZS are larger than that of the outgoing model. It now measures 4,430mm long, 1,818mm wide, 1,635mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,610mm. Its main competition are the Honda HR-V, Mitsubishi XForce, and Toyota Yaris Cross.
