MG ZS EV vanishes from website

MG MOTOR has officially sold out of its popular all-electric ZS SUV, the model quietly disappearing from the importer’s website earlier this week. 

The affordable zero-emissions five-seater is due to be replaced before the middle of the year, MG Motor public relations and communications manager, Tim Robson, telling GoAuto News that the new model is already highly anticipated among prospective customers.

“Simply, we’re out of stock (of the current model). There are a couple of examples remaining in dealer stock, but not enough to warrant keeping the model listed as ‘available’ on our website. That said, the MCU (mid-cycle update) of the ZS EV is due here before the end of H1, and we’re currently working on specifying that model for our Australian customers,” Mr Robson told GoAuto News.

“The new model will introduce a number of new features to the ZS EV range, and we’ll talk about those closer to the model’s arrival. But I can say that there’s already a lot of interest in the car, so we’re working very hard to make sure it delivers everything our customers want.”

Mr Robson said the updated ZS EV is already available in markets including China, parts of Europe and the UK, and that feedback from those markets is overwhelmingly positive. As well as new looks and features, the ZS EV is updated for 2022 with improved range courtesy of 51 and 72kWh battery options, up from the 44.5kWh unit offered previously.

Due to arrive in local showrooms midyear, the updated MG ZS EV will offer respective WLTP driving ranges of 320 and 440km. The vehicle will arrive with a Type 2/CCS charger to provide up to 7kW charge using the onboard AC charger, or up to 76kW via a rapid DC charger.

“Sales of the ZS EV, in particular, have brought their own momentum to the brand. We’ve got a lot of cars on the road now and a 90-plus-strong dealer network that is really working in our favour. It’s allowed us to really ramp-up our after-sales support and our customers – and dealers – tell us they’re really happy with the brand,” Mr Robson said.

“Without giving anything away, I’m confident in saying the updated ZS EV will definitely make customers happy. We’ve got good supply coming and I think our customers will really like the look of it too,” he added. 

Design changes for the refreshed ZS EV include a streamlined frontal treatment that MG says is more in keeping with the model’s battery-electric drivetrain. The front-end retains the charging port of the outgoing model but is distinguished by new LED lighting.

New alloy wheels and a reprofiled rear bumper round out the exterior changes.

Inside, the updated MG ZS EV receives a new infotainment system dubbed MG iSmart. The 10.1-inch touchscreen runs new software that can accept over-the-air updates and features updated graphics plus remote smartphone connectivity offering charging status and climate control features.

The 2022 model also scores a fully digital instrument panel and wireless device charging pad.

Although pricing is yet to be released, GoAuto News understands MG will work hard to keep the ZS EV affordable – and perhaps improve its position as the second-best selling EV in Australia behind the Tesla Model 3.

The current MG ZS EV is priced from $44,990 driveaway while the petrol range currently starts from $21,990. It sits between the smaller, petrol-powered MG3 hatch and MG HS medium SUV that has a choice of plug-in hybrid and petrol drivelines.

MG says it will continue to offer is entire passenger vehicle range with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia. 

To the end of January – and despite stock limitations – the MG ZS sold 1588 examples, or 16.4 per cent of the Small SUV under $40K segment. Overall, the MG brand sold 3538 units during the first month of 2022, its MG 3 topping the Light Car segment with 1551 unit sales (38.7%) and its mid-sized HS SUV selling 399 units (3.2%) nationally.