Range upgrade and new look for electric MG ZS

MG MOTOR has given its all-electric ZS SUV a new look, additional equipment, and crucially, much improved range courtesy of 51kWh and 72kWh battery options; up from the 44.5kWh capacity offered currently.

Due on sale globally next month and in Australian showrooms from mid 2022, the updated MG ZS EV models will offer respective WLTP ranges of 320 and 440km.

The vehicle is supplied with a Type 2/CCS charger to provide up to 7kW charging using the onboard AC charger, or up to 76kW via rapid DC charging.

Design changes for the refreshed ZS 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 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 Austraslia. The all-electric ZS also scored top safety marks from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in 2019.

Globally, MG Motor said recently it will double production capacity in preparation of its upcoming ZS update but cautions output may be limited by the world’s current semiconductor supply and shipping backlogs.

It is unknown if the shortage will affect Australian delivery of the ZS EV, the model already facing extended wait times in some of MG’s strongest markets.

In India, where the ZS is produced for local consumption under the Astor nameplate, MG has been struggling to meet demand.

Despite a solid order bank and increased production capacity, the marque is facing a waiting period of between three and four months, the global chip crisis and shipping backlogs forcing sales of the country’s second-best selling electric vehicle to stagnate.

“Our production is down by 30 to 40 per cent. Shipments are constrained because of the lack of containers and slow clearance at ports,” MG Motor chief commercial officer, Gaurav Gupta, told Australian media recently.

“Like everybody else we are also severely impacted by the chip shortage, and this has affected production. The situation is changing on a regular basis, and it is unpredictable.”