MG's Electric Surprise: Europe's New SUV is Here to Party!
Image Credit: MG.
Let's talk about the automotive equivalent of a well-timed punchline: the new MG MGS5 EV. Yes, another electric SUV is about to grace (or perhaps, invade) the European market, and I think the competition is reaching for the chamomile tea.
MG, the British-badged, Chinese-owned company that's been giving European automakers a serious case of the jitters, is back with a new electric SUV. Based on the same platform as the beloved (and budget-friendly) MG4 hatchback, the MGS5 EV promises to be bigger and, dare I say, "premium." Oh, the audacity!
Image Credit: MG.
MG has been teasing us with darkened images, which, let's be honest, is a bit like showing me a box of chocolates and not letting me have any. But after a little bit of digital magic (and a strong cup of coffee), we can see a few things. That rear light bar? Oh, it's a beauty! A fat, illuminated LED strip with a glowing MG logo. It's a disco ball for your rear end! Those Y-shaped taillights are very chic. And those rims? If you squint just right, you might see a hint of those classic Rostyle rims from the good ol' 70s.
The MG4, the MGS5 EV's sibling, comes with a range of options, from a 168 horsepower single-motor setup to a wild 429 horsepower dual-motor, all-wheel-drive beast. And while MG hasn't spilled the beans on the exact specs for the MGS5 EV, we can safely assume they'll be offering something similar. Think about it: a family SUV that can outrun your average sports car? Yes, please!
Me being me, curious and all, I scoured the interwebs for some more info and quickly realized the “new” MGS5 EV is in fact the MG S5 (see what they did there?) already on sale in China and Nepal, and few other places. For those markets, the MG offers two battery options - 49.1 kWh and 62.2 kWh. There is only one electric motor pushing measly 99 kW - I hope when it lands in Europe it’ll be a bit more spritely. The Luxury version with leatherette upholstery goes for equivalent of $66,450 - which is quite steep I think.
Here's the bit I'm a little skeptical about: MG promises a "premium" cabin. If you've ever sat in an MG4, you'll know that "premium" isn't exactly the first word that springs to mind. But I'm optimistic! Maybe they've hired a team of interior designers who actually know what good taste looks like. One can dream, right?
Now, unfortunately for my American friends, this little gem won't make it to the US, which is a shame because the MG MGS5 EV is shaping up to be a serious contender in the electric SUV market. It's got the looks, the power, and the price tag to make European automakers sweat. It seems MG decided to throw a party and everyone else got the "no fun allowed" memo. Me? Oh, I'm ready to dance.
