Sporty MG charges up electric ambitions

By Kingsley Wijayasinha 
The Nation Weekend

 

 

With an expected low price, along with fast-charging ability and network of stations for it, the UK brand’s EV meets the needs of busy customers

 

While the majority of auto brands have not yet launched full EVs (electric vehicles) in the Thai market, most offering just hybrids so far, smaller brands seems to be quicker in this department.

 

Hyundai, Kia and Nissan now offer EVs in Thailand, but all are imported, while locally produced EVs still look like golf carts in disguise.

 

Meanwhile, sports car maker MG will be the next brand to offer an EV model in Thailand, with the ZS EV crossover to be officially launched in Bangkok on June 20. Retail pricing will be announced then, but many are expecting it to cost around Bt1.5 million.

 

Like other EVs sold here, the ZS EV is also imported (from China), although MG has a plant at the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Chon Buri province that churns out right-hand-drive petrol-burning MGs for the Asia-Pacific market.

 

MG has been highly successful in Thailand in the past two years. Last year it sold over 23,000 vehicles and now has a five-year aggregate of 50,000 units. While top sellers include the MG3 and ZS, the ZS EV is expected to help boost sales further by attracting customers looking for an EV with more affordable pricing. The Nissan LEAF, for example, retails at around Bt2 million.

 

MG, owned by SAIC Motors of China, first showed the ZS EV concept at the Guangzhou Auto Show last November, and the crossover made its way to the Bangkok International Motor Show in late march.

 

According to MG, the ZS EV gets its power from a 44.5kWh water-cooled battery with rapid charging capability (0-80 per cent in 43 minutes). Normal charging from a 7kWh wall unit takes 6.5 hours (0-100 per cent).

 

Maximum output is claimed at 150 horsepower, and MG claims a range of as much as 428 kilometres (down to 335km according to the NEDC standard). This means that the MG ZS does not have to be charged daily, which is a plus for user convenience. Another plus is that the interior space has not been affected by the electrification process.

 

Although Thai specifications had not been released by press time, customers can expect similar packages offered in other markets such as the UK and China.

 

The exterior features LED daytime running lights, a roof rack and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there’s a six-way powered driver’s seat, 40/60 split rear seats and multi-function steering wheel. The large sliding panoramic sunroof helps give the cabin an airy atmosphere.

 

Safety features, apart from the regular ABS brakes and six airbags, include blind spot detection, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian alert control, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

 

The MG ZS is targeted at the younger generation (aka “Fast Forward” generation) so much importance has been given to connectivity.

 

There is an eight-inch colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth and navigation. And, of course, Thailand customers can expect the i-SMART Thai language voice command system and mobile application.

 

Meanwhile, MG has also been preparing charging stations for customers by teaming up with Energy Absolute PCL to jointly develop an EV charging network across the country.

 

Also expect the larger MG crossover, the GS, to come in 2020 with electrification in the form of a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with a short EV range.

 

MG ZS EV specs

 

Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous

 

Max power: 150ps (110kW)

 

Max torque: 350Nm

 

Transmission: EDU

 

0-100: 9.0 secs

 

Top speed: 150km/h

 

Steering: powered rack and pinion

 

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/disc

 

Dimensions (mm)

 

Length: 4,314

 

Width: 1,809

 

Height: 1,625

 

Wheelbase: 2,585mm

 

Wheels: 17-inch alloy

 

Tyres: 215/50 R17

 

Price: to be announced

 

Distributor: MG Sales (Thailand) Co Ltd

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Auto_ADO/30371146

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-16

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You may get a better idea of the actual real range if you view the UK sites on the same spec vehicle (released in UK Sept ) rather than what is an exaggerated claim in this news article of 428 Km, that being 270 Km on a full charge.  Still good but not too good if you want to drive from Bangkok to Udon where there are as yet no charging stations I believe.

The MG brand and glory stopped being the pride of the british motor industry long, long time ago and was sold to the,, you have guessed it, the Chinese, so effectively you're buying a Chinese designed and made...

The British mark "MG" is sporty, the Chinese "MG" is not..????

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

The MG brand and glory stopped being the pride of the british motor industry long, long time ago and was sold to the,, you have guessed it, the Chinese, so effectively you're buying a Chinese designed and made...

Totally wrong !

It's joke right. Who in their right mind would buy an electric car at present. No distance per-charge and NO charging points. Might be fine if you lived in say BKK and never went anywhere. You probably wouldn't get to say Pattaya and back. So what's the use of them.

 

I might be interested if they get one with around 800km even then there would have to be many charging points. I'll stick to the 2/3 minutes to fill up my tank with diesel if it's ok with everyone. Not even going down the 1.5 mil cost they predict.

4 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

Totally wrong !

I think you'll find if you care to look it up that he's correct and you the one that is wrong. In the 60's everyone desired an MG in the UK.

1 minute ago, fredob43 said:

I think you'll find if you care to look it up that he's correct and you the one that is wrong. In the 60's everyone desired an MG in the UK.

Not talking about the 60's but there is a place in the UK called Birmingham where they design and fettle MG's - now

13 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

Not talking about the 60's but there is a place in the UK called Birmingham where they design and fettle MG's - now

I think you'll find they are copies. The MG logo is now owned outright by a Chinese company.

EV vehicles are going to be water tight right? Could be troublesome come flood time and electrocuting the whole family.

Why the ridiculous costs also? Much cheaper to produce than petrol cars ive read despite what so e claim and the reason to tax them is because the gov cant make money from fuel? Stupid backwards country. 

27 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

Not talking about the 60's but there is a place in the UK called Birmingham where they design and fettle MG's - now

There they sit and design stuff, but the car is 100% Chinese. If it were a British MG it world not cost peanuts as it is now.   If you tap any of the panels you will see/feel/hear why it is a cheap car..

35 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

Not talking about the 60's but there is a place in the UK called Birmingham where they design and fettle MG's - now

MG is a 100% chinese Company who manufacture in many Countrys in the World also in GB. 

52 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

Totally wrong !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_Motor

 

Read this and receive enlightenment

 

55 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

It's joke right. Who in their right mind would buy an electric car at present. No distance per-charge and NO charging points. Might be fine if you lived in say BKK and never went anywhere. You probably wouldn't get to say Pattaya and back. So what's the use of them.

Its trendy & the progressive/lefties think they are saving the world, what is used to recharge them is beyond their comprehension? 

3 hours ago, fredob43 said:

I think you'll find if you care to look it up that he's correct and you the one that is wrong. In the 60's everyone desired an MG in the UK.

What an outlandish statement that "in the 60s everyone desired an MG".  Total BS.

1 minute ago, geoffbezoz said:

What an outlandish statement that "in the 60s everyone desired an MG".  Total BS.

Well I did, hence my MGB Roadster with wire wheels...????

53 minutes ago, transam said:

Well I did, hence my MGB Roadster with wire wheels...????

Hate damned SU's and Lucas. Had to deal with my father's late, unlamented TR's. Give me Webers and Veglia any day.

I was also skeptical about this car and brand.

Until I did a test drive last weekend. They let me drive it on the big empty street. And even let me floor it.

The power: usual for electric, instant acceleration, like a big Diesel, without the delay. Not mind blowing but nice.

The feeling of the interior is ok. All the nobs and buttons feels intuitive. Didn't have issues. Very powerful air-conditioning. That's all I could hear... Just the freaking air-con...

Very quiet, very very quiet, I love that. Perfect for podcast while driving.

 

It has everything electric, seats are fully electric, sun roof as well. Folding mirrors when turned off, fully electric adjust.

 

The range in the city with slow speeds should be 300-330km

Once in the highway it will drop drastically to 250-270.

The great thing: free home wall charger rated 7KW with free installation at your house, with very thick cables from the main power. It can fully charge in 6.5 hours, and the first 50% I believe can be done in 3 hours.

Fast charge at the EV Anywhere and PTT takes 30 minutes to reach 80%.

To fully charge at home after 9pm costs 104 baht. The same 300 km cost 800 baht on my gasoline 1.8L Honda.

I'd say around 5000 baht a months saving for me. It I go to work every day with it. Even better, there is an EV Anywhy station at my work with 12 spots. 120 baht to fully charge this car if want to while working.

This is why I booked it. 5000 baht.

The first 1000 people to book gets 8 years unlimited KM for battery warranty and 4 years 120K car warranty, definitely more than most cars.

There are charging stations pretty much every big city now. Only issue is waiting time thou.

 

Maintenance should be pretty low, only break fluids, both coolant for engine and for the battery (they are separated) and CPU checks. And of course those tires will wear off really fast with that torque. Michelin thou, so pretty good for stock.

 

Another thing: there are not spare tire, just a repair kit, and very good storage space.

I can still Change my mind until September...

 

On 6/16/2019 at 7:43 AM, ezzra said:

The MG brand and glory stopped being the pride of the British motor industry long, long time ago

I don't believe it ever was.

 

The sports cars were acceptable in the absence of any competition, but anything else was simple badge engineering. 

On 6/16/2019 at 11:44 AM, canopus1969 said:

Not talking about the 60's but there is a place in the UK called Birmingham where they design and fettle MG's - now

 

On 6/16/2019 at 11:59 AM, fredob43 said:

I think you'll find they are copies. The MG logo is now owned outright by a Chinese company.

"MG Motor UK Limited (MG Motor) is a British automotive company headquartered in Longbridge, Birmingham, England,^[2] and a subsidiary of SAIC Motor UK, which in turn is owned by the Shanghai-based Chinese state-owned automotive SAIC Motor. MG Motor designs, develops and markets cars sold under the MG marque" 

3 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

I don't believe it ever was.

 

The sports cars were acceptable in the absence of any competition, but anything else was simple badge engineering. 

https://mg.co.uk/about-mg/history-heritage/

3 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

 

"MG Motor UK Limited (MG Motor) is a British automotive company headquartered in Longbridge, Birmingham, England,^[2] and a subsidiary of SAIC Motor UK, which in turn is owned by the Shanghai-based Chinese state-owned automotive SAIC Motor. MG Motor designs, develops and markets cars sold under the MG marque" 

Thanks for that, but you have just confirmed what I said it's owned by a Chinese company.