You don't have to be a great connoisseur to know MG and its old convertibles. But that was before. Before the bankruptcy of 2005, before the takeover by the SAIC group, and the "strategic withdrawal". Because no, MG has never completely disappeared. The manufacturer had just retired to its homeland, where it has always continued to sell a range since renewed: city, compact family and, inevitably, the essential SUV. These new models were designed in Longbridge, England but, since 2016, all of them have been built… in China! In addition to being the first MG that we have seen on the continent for 15 years, the ZS is therefore also the very first Chinese car imported to us through official channels.
Chinese, not "Low Cost"
Distrustful of a Chinese woman? Remember: MGs are created for the English market, which shares almost all of its standards with the rest of Europe. Example: the MG ZS received 5 stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests.
In addition, Chinese does not necessarily mean low cost. The model is certainly quite cheap - especially for an electric car - but we are not in the Dacia universe. In the cabin spacious enough for 5 adults, the materials are of good quality (we even find VW elements, SAIC's partner in China), and everything is assembled with seriousness. It's just ... it doesn't sound like. Because the look is very classic, without any real search for style or modernity. The remark also applies to exterior design, it must be said. The ZS is very "generic", gives an impression of deja-vu. But he has many other arguments ...
Prices without competition
First, its 140hp electric transmission, which claims a range of 263 km (WLTP). It may seem weak a priori, especially against the designated competitors that are the Peugeot e-2008 and the Hyundai Kona electric, but for a wagon intended for (peri-) urban use and the role of second car of the home, it is much more than is necessary. Then his equipment. And there, we say long live China!
There are two finishes, the entry level Comfort of which receives air conditioning as standard, multimedia system (GPS, DAB radio, Apple Carplay and Android Auto), electric driver's seat, rear view camera, blind spot monitoring, active assistance with lane keeping, intelligent cruise control, semi-autonomous driving on motorways, automatic high beams, etc. Price: € 29,990! The only other finish is the Luxury at 2,000 euros more, which adds the leather interior, the heated seats, a panoramic sunroof and other details. Only one option: metallic paint. All this, remember, in an electric car, expensive by definition. The same in a Hyundai Kona Electric or a Peugeot e-2008? It will be 5,000 to 7,000 euros more, please! Add that to put the odds on its side during this launch period, MG brings the ecological bonus to € 7,000, takes your car at the end of its life € 5,000 minimum, and offers you the domestic charging station. Serious traders, these Englishmen. Or these Chinese. Well, we don't know anymore.
Priority to comfort
Finally behind the wheel, we can still feel that the vehicle has been developed to please the English, among the most demanding in terms of behavior. On the soggy roads of the French Ardennes where we discovered it, the ZS held the pavement perfectly and even reacted to some of our "provocations" with a touch of dynamism, supported by an engine which, in Sport mode, offers very high performance. pleasing. But the credo of this MG is rather comfort. To the silence of the electricity, we must add good soundproofing to the aerodynamic and rolling noises, as well as very considerate damping.
Online
Do you itch? So it is better to be open to changes in habit, because if there is indeed a first concession in Paris, MG plans for the moment to favor the sale and the reservation of test online, via its website. However, a maintenance network will obviously be quickly set up throughout the country.
Okay, an Anglo-Chinese SUV is not the MG we dream of. But the mix of skills is rather convincing and this English made in China has the indisputable merit of participating in the democratization of the electric car. And let the nostalgic reassure themselves: a new sports coupe (electric) is already in the making. It should arrive in 2022.
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The MG ZS EV in a few figures
- Motor: electric; 140hp; 353Nm.
- Transmission: to the front wheels.
- Gearbox: auto 1 report.
- L / W / H (mm): 4.314 / 1.809 / 1.644
- Curb weight (kg): 1.491
- Boot capacity (l): 470 - 1,166
- Batteries (kWh): 44
- 0-100 km / h (sec.): 8.2
- Maximum speed (km / h): 140
- Mixed consumption (kWh / 100km): 18.6
- WLTP range (km): 263
- Price (€): 29.990
- China
- Peugeot
- Road safety
- Electric car
- Automobile