MG LAUNCHES TWO NEW MODELS

MG has launched two new models as part of the expansion of its electrified range.

The budget British brand already offers the ZS as an all-electric SUV and that has now been joined by a second EV, the MG5 EV.

The MG5 is a brand-new model which MG claims is unique in offering an electric drive train in a traditional C-segment estate body style. Boot space is 464 litres with the rear seats in place, extending to 1,456 litres with the rear seats folded.

Powered by a single 115kw (154bhp) electric motor, the MG5 offers up to 214 miles of range from a 52.2kwh batter y, with a 0 - 60mph time of around eight seconds. Using CCS rapid charging, the MG5 will go from zero to 80 per cent charge in around 50 minutes, while a standard home charger will take around eight hours to fully charge the battery.

On sale now priced from £24,495 after the plug-in car grant, the MG5 comes with 16-inch alloys, remote entry with push-button star t, air conditioning, an eight-inch colour touch screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

The HS plug-in hybrid joins the 1.5-litre petrol version of the mid-sized SUV and is the brand’s first PHEV.

Using the existing model’s 1.5-litre engine, MG has added a 90kw electric motor for a total output of 254bhp and a 0 - 60mph time of 6.9 seconds. More importantly, the hybrid offers an electric-only range of 32 miles and CO2 emissions of just43g/ km under WLTP testing. Charging takes three hours using a type two home charger.

Prices forth eHSPHEV start at £29,995, rising to £32,495 for the wellequipped Exclusive trim.