MG reveals edgy new HS for 2019 Was
Another SUV from the British car marque breaks cover in China before an anticipated launch in Thailand next year.
this MG inspired by the concept car shown earlier this year?
Yes. The new MG HS unveiled in China this month was first previewed as the X-Motion concept in April.
Some notable design cues include the large front grille, which has become part of the brand’s new family look. Another highlight is the gentle rising of the waistline at the rear.
The HS is being described as a compact SUV that’s slightly larger than today’s GS. The only dimension MG has revealed so far for the HS is the 2,720mm wheelbase length, which is 70mm longer than in the GS.
The interior of the HS is also showing some new elements for the brand, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 10.1-inch touchscreen and 64-colour ambient lighting. Some other lavish stuff includes a large sunroof and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
Has the HS been electrified in any way?
If it’s about the drivetrain, not yet. Two petrol-turbo engines with direct injection have been announced for the HS, both shared with the GS.
The so-badged 20T comes with a 170hp/250Nm 1.5-litre mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the 30T features a 231hp/350Nm 2.0-litre with a six-speed twin-clutch unit. Four-wheel drive is also available in the bigger engine.
Although electrification has yet to reach the HS, there are some new driver-assist technologies like blind-spot warning and active cruise control.
Doesn’t this engine line-up make the HS overlap with the GS in showrooms?
True, the HS may have a larger package than the GS. But its engine platter certainly makes the HS look like a replacement for the GS, which has only been on the market for three years.
A high-ranking executive at MG Sales Thailand told us that the company is contemplating whether to sell both SUVs together at the same time or have the HS replace the GS when sales of the former get under way next year.
The five-seat HS is seen as a more capable competitor for the Honda CR-V and its likes. The GS isn’t an exact rival for the CR-V, and that explains why it’s cheaper (with the 1.5 costing 890,000-990,000 baht and the 2.0 running 1.21 million-1.31 million baht.
The omission of the GS from MG’s SUV lineup will also create some breathing space between the HS and the ZS. The latter model has proved quite successful in Thailand despite its modest 114hp non-turbo 1.5-litre engine and four-speed torque-converter automatic.
Two key ingredients that have contributed to the ZS’s allure among Thais is the spacious package for a B-segment SUV and a class-beating price range of 679,000-789,000 baht.