The plug-in hybrid MG HS Plus EV plug-in hybrid crossover line-up will double in size during 2022.
Announcing its major sponsorship deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team, MG Motor Australia subtly mentioned the new HS Plus EV Vibe.
“MG will launch the HS Plus EV Vibe variant in January 2022 at this stage,” a spokesperson for MG Motor Australia told CarExpert.
“We can’t confirm pricing or final specs today, but can confirm it will have exactly the same powertrain and MG Pilot safety suite as the HS Plus EV Essence.”
Currently, the HS plug-in hybrid – recently rebranded to the HS Plus EV – is only sold in top-spec Essence guise, priced from $47,990 drive-away.
As noted earlier, the HS Plus EV Vibe will retain the 189kW/370Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid system, which can accelerate from 0-100 in 6.9 seconds and travel up to 63 kilometres (NEDC) on a full charge of its 16.6kWh battery pack.
Combined fuel consumption, meanwhile, is quoted at just 1.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
The confirmation of the MG Pilot safety suite also means the following active safety features will be standard:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
HS Plus EV Essence
Using the petrol-powered HS Vibe as a guide, the entry-level plug-in hybrid SUV could drop features like LED headlights, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof or its surround-view camera to bring the price down to around the $40,000 drive-away mark.
A price around that mark would make the HS Plus EV Vibe one of the cheapest plug-in hybrids in Australia, with the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid now solely available in high-spec Premium specification ($47,950 +ORCs), the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid S ($49,990 drive-away) and the cheapest Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid ES ($49,990 drive-away) all priced above the current HS Plus EV Essence.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for an update on the MG HS Plus EV Vibe in January 2022.
HS Plus EV Essence
MORE: Everything MG HS
