Automotive

Point of the spear: MG EZS brings the cheap Chinese EV to Europe and Australia

Point of the spear: MG EZS brings the cheap Chinese EV to Europe and Australia
The EZS will be one of the first Chinese electrics to get a wider release globally
The EZS will be one of the first Chinese electrics to get a wider release globally
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The EZS will be one of the first Chinese electrics to get a wider release globally
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The EZS will be one of the first Chinese electrics to get a wider release globally
MG's EZS will roll with a sunroof
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MG's EZS will roll with a sunroof
The EZS cuts a neat figure
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The EZS cuts a neat figure
The interior of the MG EZS is neat and basic
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The interior of the MG EZS is neat and basic
Analog dash with a power/efficiency meter replace the tacho in the EZS
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Analog dash with a power/efficiency meter replace the tacho in the EZS
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MG is bringing what should be a very affordable, practical electric crossover to the market in the new EZS. The company's first EV will rock a 45.5-kWh battery powering a 110-kW (147-hp) electric powertrain and giving it a range "up to 428 km" (266 mi).

Under the ownership of Chinese manufacturing giant SAIC, MG has been making quiet inroads back into the automotive world with a series of small, cheap hatches and SUVs that look neat, if a bit anonymous, and emphasize economy. A long way, then, from the quintessential British sports convertibles that still spring to mind when we see that storied logo.

Now, it's getting set to go even further with its first EV, a fully electrified version of its ZS compact SUV. Looking much the same as the ZS but for a funky set of rims, a lack of exhausts and an electric blue paint job, the EZS should deliver a simple and practical EV experience, with good enough range for everything but long highway trips.

MG's EZS will roll with a sunroof
MG's EZS will roll with a sunroof

MG's quoted range figures are unusual – they're an ideal-conditions "up to" rather than a standardized range comparison like the NEDC or WLTP cycle figures can deliver. We'd imagine they're probably highly optimistic, with a realistic range given normal driving behavior closer to 300 km (186 mi). But that's still plenty for the vast majority of trips for the vast majority of drivers.

Performance will be reasonably zippy, with the EZS making the same power as a Nissan Leaf, and those things are lots of fun off the line. SAIC says it'll do 0-50 km/h (0-31 mph) in 3.1 seconds – another weird measure that you won't get from other manufacturers. SAIC says "the high performance brings super feelings," and that certainly sounds pleasant.

The interior of the MG EZS is neat and basic
The interior of the MG EZS is neat and basic

The EZS will run a 4G internet connection, allowing real-time intelligent navigation, one-click payment of parking fees and "remote control vehicles," which sounds interesting but we're not expecting much.

This car will live and die on its price tag, which is yet to be announced. As one of the first Chinese electrics to proliferate through Europe and Australia as well as Asia, it's got an opportunity to significantly undercut opposition from the likes of Hyundai and Nissan. It's unlikely to come to the US.

Sources: MG Motor, SAIC

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4 comments
4 comments
MartinVoelker
I don't think of the 0 to 30 measure as weird, as it is much more useful than 0-60 which applies to racers. But a swift 0-30 will let you leave others in the dust if you're first off a red light. In my Chevy VOLT which has similar 0-30 specs I enjoyed this a great deal.
CAVUMark
One more feather in the cap of China, an economic powerhouse preparing to direct the world's transportation solutions.
Rustin Lee Haase
The writer is absolutely right about price being the live or die issue. This is a modest car with basically all the practical features potential EV drivers need. If they could get it out there for $30K or less, it would be a game changer, not only opening up new EV access to the masses but scaring the crap out of existing auto makers. TV's used to be expensive and less capable. Now they are cheap, abundant, and zero maintenance. The auto market has been insulated from real tech progress just getting more expensive and not really offering much more utility for a long time. Products like this, if they can deliver cheaply enough, could change the game. Still, I'd be worried about quality control. Chinese manufacturers have a reputation of stating real specs x2 since in the past they could not be held accountable from across the pond. They also have had abysmal quality. It is going to take a long time to earn the public trust.
Jmnsnow
There is still a window for US Industry to stay competitive but only if they are ready to forego some of the profits. The Apple mind set is not going to keep you in the game much longer as everyone seems to be getting poorer and the future doesn't seem to indicate a return to the good old days.