MG is the first Chinese brand in Italy and raises the bar with the HS Hybrid+ and the S5 electric SUV

MILAN – MG wants to remain the first Chinese brand in Italy and unveils two new models after closing the first half of the year with a market share of 3.14% and almost 30,000 units sold: the full hybrid version of the HS SUV and the new high-wheeled electric S5 EV.

The HS Hybrid + is a car that was created to offer the advantages of a plug-free solution in the C SUV segment, combining the advantages of the 1.5T petrol engine (105 kW) with Miller cycle, combined with the electric motor (146 kW) and the large-capacity 1.8 kWh battery for a combined power of 165 kW (225 hp). The result? A 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds and consumption of up to 5.53 l/100 km in the combined Wltp cycle. Prices range from 31,490 euros for the Comfort version to 34,990 for the Luxury.

“After the rebirth of 2021, this month we can say that we have reached eighth place among the best-selling brands in our market. We are the first Chinese brand in Italy - underlines Andrea Bartolomeo vice president and country manager Saic Motor Italy -. If up to now we have communicated less, we are the ones who tend to achieve results more than the others”. MG, after all, has always followed a volume strategy in Italy and Europe. But it does not abandon full electric. Indeed, it relaunches with the new S5 Ev, an electric SUV with decisive shapes, with the front characterized by new double headlights and the rear part with a light signature inspired by the checkered flag. The car, although not sharing any technical or design element with the previous ZS EV, ideally collects its legacy, representing a conceptual evolution: a significant generational leap in terms of design and contents such as technology and construction quality.

With an overall length of 447 cm, the S5 EV is designed to be versatile, suitable for both everyday life and longer journeys. The cabin comfortably accommodates four adults with a 453-litre boot (expandable to 1,441 litres by folding down the 60:40 split rear seats). A space also designed for taller rear passengers: the MG Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), in fact, has allowed the use of an ultra-thin 110 mm horizontal cell battery under the floor, to the full advantage of the car's low centre of gravity and on-board space. A platform designed specifically for electric vehicles, with a lightweight chassis to improve range and driving dynamics, for which once behind the wheel we also give credit to the rear-wheel drive with 47:53 weight distribution and Five-Link rear suspension.

It is mandatory to set the driving modes - five available - as well as the regenerative braking calibrations - four - when the autonomy decreases. After all, the dynamics of the car are supported by reactive engines. Two powertrains are available: the Long range, with 231 hp, has a battery with a capacity of 64 kWh that guarantees approximately 465 km of autonomy; while the standard version, with 170 hp of power, has a 49 kWh battery and an autonomy of up to 340 km. And the most powerful version is also fun and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.

The braking system, developed by Continental, is quite good and works in combination with generously sized brake discs (321 mm at the front and 300 mm at the rear). The commitment to safety is noteworthy: the S5 EV has been awarded 5 stars by Euro NCAP, thanks to the 7 airbags as standard and a full complement of active safety systems, with the latest evolution of the MG Pilot system, which includes 16 advanced driver assistance devices.

On the technology front, like all BEVs on the market, it offers rapid interaction between the driver and the vehicle via their mobile device, although the "heart" remains the 12.8" central touchscreen: the graphics have improved and now there is wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with integrated apps such as Spotify, TikTok and YouTube, to offer a digital experience even to those sitting nearby. The digital display for the driver is 10.25", there is also wireless charging and other small touches to make life easier on board. Many buttons on the console remain physical, the central tunnel is clean, featuring only the knob for the gear shift. Note the disappearance of the car's on/off button. And with it all the adventures that unleash themselves when cars remain silently running.

The new MG S5 EV arrives on the Italian market with two available trims, Comfort and Luxury, which define the offer. The entry-level version, the MG S5 EV 49 kWh Comfort, is offered at 32,990 euros. For those who want greater autonomy, the MG S5 EV 64 kWh Comfort has a price of 34,490 euros. At the top of the range is the MG S5 EV 64 kWh Luxury at 38,990 euros.