The 2025 MG ZS’s Australian range will comprise three engine offerings, as the popular SUV is set to become available with hybrid power for the first time.
Government documents show a trio of 1.5-litre petrol engines have been approved for Australia: a naturally aspirated option, a turbocharged version, and a hybrid.
As previously reported, it’s understood the new MG ZS will first launch in Australia during the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December) with petrol power, before electric and hybrid variants follow in 2025.
MG 3 Hybrid engine
According to the documents, both non-hybrid powertrains will be mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The hybrid meanwhile – set to be sold as the MG ZS Hybrid+ – will consist of a 75kW petrol engine and a 100kW electric motor, combining for total system outputs of 158kW.
The same engine and electric motor combination is found in the new MG 3 Hybrid, where it produces up to 155kW in total and drives the front wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission.
“Hybrid for MG in the future will be standard across the range on most if not all models including the soon to be released ZS,” MG Motor Australia head of product Akshat Ahuja told CarExpert.
“The technology seen in MG 3 has had a lot of investment from our parent company, SAIC. Good news is, we’ll also see that technology in the new ZS which is upcoming. The new ZS will mirror what MG 3 has and launch in Q4 this year.”
There are no additional details about the outputs of the ZS’s non-hybrid engines in the approval documents.
A non-turbo 1.5-litre engine powers the new MG 3 and MG 5, and has also been available in the existing MG ZS and facelifted ZST, producing between 81-84kW of power and 142-150Nm of torque.
MG also offers a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine in the MG 5 and the soon-to-be-replaced current-generation HS, developing 119kW and 250Nm in both models.
As reported last month, the new MG ZS has been spotted driving on Australian roads in camouflage, hiding its significantly revised bodywork.
Interior photos have also shown massive updates to the cabin, which is expected to grow in size and offer occupants more space.
“Like the all-new MG 3, the soon to be launched MG ZS will also bring more standard equipment, better technology, a thoroughly revised interior design and improved safety,” Mr Ahuja added.
“The only thing that’s similar between the old and new cars is the name. Both the new MG ZS and HS will mirror the evolution seen with the new MG 3.”
Despite the current-generation MG ZS being almost eight years old, it remains the best-selling small SUV in Australia.
In the first seven months of 2024, MG sold 13,624 examples of the ZS in Australia, accounting for almost half of the brand’s sales and making it by far the best-selling small SUV.
That sales tally includes not only the price-leader ZS, but also its electric version (the ZS EV) and the ZST.
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