MG Conquers Europe
The MG Motor Europe team has proudly unveiled its new 2022 range against an impressive backdrop of sales success, with the MG ZS at the heart of rapid European expansion. Uniquely, in mainland Europe, MG’s sales model is predicated on a pure electric model and even the MG HS petrol-electric hybrid sold there will probably be destined to fall away eventually as MG Motor Europe consolidates on an all-electric model range.
We described the new MG Marvel-R, effectively an MG-badged version of the Roewe Marvel-R sold in China, in detail earlier in the summer and now it promises to draw in a choosier customer clientèle who might otherwise frequent mainstream European brand showrooms. Size-wise, the MG Marvel-R is closest to the highly regarded Skoda Enyaq iV but at an attractive price-point not all that far above the smaller KIA e-Niro and Nissan Leaf. Price ranges from €39,990 (around £33,819) to €47,990 (£40,564) depending on how much power and luxury your budget can accommodate. However, you will need to be based in mainland Europe if you want to enjoy the pleasures of the MG Marvel-R, as it remains a LHD-only model; there are currently no plans to bring it to the UK.
Big Europe-wide sales success is anticipated for the facelifted MG ZS EV (the petrol-powered variant is confined to RHD markets) and, unlike the Marvel-R, the facelifted ZS EV has been launched in the UK as well as mainland Europe. The updated (and uprated) model boasts a simplified body-colour grille with a curiously offset charge point which you may either love or loathe (we’re sitting on the electric fence). There are LED headlamps, new wheels, a re-designed rear bumper and, inside, a much-improved cockpit. The previous, more conventional-looking, version is already leading the sales charts in its sector in Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and France as well as the UK.
Both the MG ZS EV and the MG Marvel-R benefit from the latest MG i-SMART technology, which includes smart-phone linkage, via a bespoke app, which facilitates remote monitoring and control. There seems little doubt that the well-priced and specified MG ZS EV will continue to do well, especially as MG Motor Europe is on a determined expansion spree, and European automotive media seem to rate it as an attractive purchase. The new, long-range model offers a WLTP range of 440km (273 miles) whilst the standard version now boasts a respectable 320km (199 miles); both an improvement on the outgoing version’s 263km (163 miles). In Europe, the MG ZS EV price (before local taxes) ranges from €30,999 (£26,205) for the ‘standard’ model to €34,999 (£29,588) for the longer-range version.
Also on show in October, but not on sale until the New Year, was the facelifted, European-specification MG5 EV Station Wagon which, like the ZS EV, has also had a nose-lift but one which more radically transforms its appearance, losing the rather over-done chrome horizontal bar grille of the existing model still on sale in the UK at the time of writing but no doubt destined to align with the Euro-facelift some time in 2022. The luggage capacity remains the same as before but the facelift brings the MG i-SMART infotainment system from other new models. The car's range remains the 400km WLTP (249 miles) introduced this year, whilst a cheaper variant, with a smaller battery and reduced range (320km/199 miles), reflecting the earlier MG5's capability, will follow sometime later in 2022. Although exact prices were not revealed at the launch, it is believed that MG Motor Europe is aiming for a sub-€30,000 (£25,364) entry cost.
The MG Marvel-R is a classy new SUV but only for mainland European customers. The nose of the MG5 receives a bold make-over for 2022.
Sales in Europe begin in January 2022 and in the UK soon after. The interior of the MG Marvel-R has a very smart ambience, notably the optional brown interior and large, touchscreen centre display.
The facelifted MG ZS EV, for European markets and the UK, features this new bodycolour nose panel and an offset electric charge point. The headlamps are LED units.