Tag Archives: MG Motor

NEW CARS

MG S9 PHEV Is a Big, Cheap Seven-Seat SUV—and It Might Shake Up the Family-Hauler Class

MG has never been shy about chasing value, but with the new S9 PHEV, the brand is taking aim at something much bigger—literally. Order books have now opened in the UK for what will become the largest MG model sold here, a three-row SUV designed to haul families, luggage, and perhaps a few premium rivals into uncomfortable territory.

Starting at £34,205, the seven-seat S9 lands with a price tag that looks almost suspiciously low for a plug-in hybrid of this size. Even more intriguing for company-car drivers is its 62-mile electric-only range, which slots it neatly into the 9-percent benefit-in-kind tax band. That’s the sort of number fleet managers like to circle with a red pen.

Big Size, Small Price

At that price point, the S9 PHEV isn’t just competitive—it’s aggressively undercutting its nearest mainstream rival. The Chery Tiggo 9 starts around £43,105, while stepping into the premium camp with SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90 means parting with tens of thousands more.

Of course, the MG badge doesn’t carry quite the same prestige as those nameplates. But MG seems content to let the spreadsheet do the talking. If buyers want seven seats, plug-in capability, and a manageable tax bill, the S9 looks like it could become the budget hero of the segment.

Familiar Hybrid Hardware

Under the hood sits a plug-in hybrid setup that MG already uses in the smaller HS PHEV. It pairs a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor and a 24.7-kWh battery pack. The formula is familiar: electric commuting during the week, gasoline backup for longer trips.

In the HS PHEV, that battery can only be charged at 7 kW on AC, and it doesn’t support DC fast charging—a limitation that may carry over to the S9. That won’t bother everyone, but drivers accustomed to quick top-ups at motorway chargers may notice the difference.

Space for Seven (and Their Stuff)

As a family hauler, the S9’s practicality numbers look respectable. With all seven seats upright, the boot offers 332 litres of cargo space—enough for groceries or a few cabin-sized suitcases. Fold the third and second rows flat, though, and the cargo hold expands to over 1000 litres, turning the MG into something closer to a rolling storage unit.

A Cabin That Mixes Screens with Buttons

MG hasn’t yet revealed the UK-spec interior, but the version sold in Australia—where the SUV is called the QS—offers a strong clue. The dashboard features two large displays handling the digital instruments and infotainment duties, echoing the setup seen in the HS.

Thankfully, MG resisted the temptation to bury everything inside the touchscreen. A row of physical buttons remains for key functions like climate controls and quick infotainment shortcuts—a welcome nod to usability in a world increasingly dominated by glass panels.

The Details Are Still Coming

Full technical specifications, including performance figures and final equipment lists, are expected in the coming weeks as the first UK examples arrive in showrooms. Those details will help determine whether the S9 is merely a bargain—or a genuine disruptor.

Either way, MG’s strategy is clear: build a big, family-friendly plug-in SUV, price it thousands below the competition, and let buyers decide how much badge prestige is really worth.

If the numbers add up as promised, the S9 PHEV might prove that the most disruptive thing in the seven-seat SUV market isn’t another luxury badge—it’s a low price tag with a charging cable attached.

Source: MG

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MG Pauses the Next-Gen MG 4 EV for the UK—A Facelift Is Coming Instead

MG Motor UK is hitting the brakes on the fully redesigned, second-generation MG 4 EV—at least for now. Instead, the brand will double down on what’s already working, rolling out a comprehensive facelift of the current MG 4, a car that’s become one of Britain’s quiet electric success stories.

The move marks a rare split in strategy between the UK arm of the SAIC-owned brand and its home market. China already received the all-new MG 4 back in March, riding on a next-generation EV platform and switching from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. It’s 100mm longer, sports a Cyberster-inspired design, and packs a more modern cabin aligned with the newer S5 EV crossover. On paper, it looks like a clean-sheet sequel.

And when that Chinese-market design passed through European approval channels, it seemed like a sure thing the UK would get it. That’s usually how the playbook goes.

But MG Motor UK boss David Allison says the company is sticking with the original MG 4 for now—just giving it a proper refresh rather than swapping it for the new generation. “The 4 is now our oldest car, so it’s due a facelift, which will happen relatively soon,” he told Autocar.

Why the hesitation? Because the current MG 4 hasn’t just been successful—it’s been a smash hit. The rear-drive hatchback has carved out a loyal following by blending value, sharp dynamics, and usable range in a package that undercuts most competitors. In other words, the formula isn’t broken here, so MG isn’t rushing to fix it.

Meanwhile, the story is very different in China. There, the domestic-market 4 hasn’t had the same staying power, prompting SAIC to fast-track the next-generation model. “They have changed the car quite quickly,” Allison said, contrasting the two markets.

That doesn’t mean the UK will never see the newer platform. Allison confirmed that MG UK is positioned to adopt the next-gen architecture when it aligns with future model cycles: “It’s the next-generation platform, so for the next evolution or the next generation of EVs, that’s the platform we would get.”

As for timing? That’s still up in the air. “If it’s decided and we think there is an opportunity for that kind of car, we will certainly take it,” he added.

For now, MG loyalists can expect a refreshed version of one of the UK’s best-value EVs rather than a ground-up redesign. And given how well the MG 4 has resonated here, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The UK market gets stability—and a car that’s already proven itself—while MG buys time to roll out the next generation when the moment is right.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

MG 2: The UK-Designed EV Aiming Squarely at the Renault 5 — and at Europe’s Streets

MG is gearing up for a return to its roots with a small, stylish, and value-driven electric hatchback designed specifically for European tastes. Set to launch by 2027 and priced from under £25,000, the upcoming MG 2 is positioned as the brand’s answer to the reborn Renault 5—and possibly one of the most important models in MG’s modern lineup.

The MG 2 will slot beneath the MG 4 EV, forming the entry point into what will soon be a seven-strong electric lineup for the brand. And if MG’s leadership is to be believed, this won’t simply be a budget EV chasing the lowest price tag. Instead, the company sees it as the next big battleground in the electric market.

MG’s Strategy: Value, Not “Cheapest”

Speaking to Autocar, MG Motor UK boss David Allison made it clear that the brand isn’t chasing Dacia Spring–level sticker shocks or the aggressively priced entrants from Leapmotor. “Our ethos has always been about value,” Allison said. “It has not necessarily been about being the cheapest; it has been about providing the most we can for the best value for money.”

If the MG 2 follows the pattern set by the ZS—Qashqai-sized crossover, Juke-like pricing—then expect the 2 to offer more space, range, and tech than you’d expect at this price point. MG wants to occupy the sweet spot where affordability meets substance.

Platform, Power, and Positioning

Technical data remains under wraps, but sources indicate the MG 2 will ride on the same SAIC Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) that underpins the MG 4. That means flexible battery packaging, modern motor technology, and a strong chance of multiple range options.

MG is openly benchmarking the Renault 5, which runs a 150-hp motor and up to 250 miles of range from a 52-kWh battery. While MG hasn’t committed to specific figures, the implication is that the 2 will need to be competitive on both performance and usability if it’s going to win European buyers.

Designed in Britain for Europe’s Streets

One of the most interesting elements of the MG 2 is where it’s being developed. The design work—already in “fairly advanced” concept stages—is happening in MG’s London design studio, while engineering refinement will run through the brand’s Longbridge facility.

According to Allison, a European-centric design isn’t optional—it’s essential. “A four-metre electric car with European styling just won’t really work in China or several Asian markets,” he explained. That’s why MG sees this model not as a global EV, but as a car built specifically for European urban environments, where compact dimensions and tight-road agility matter.

The Renault 5 Effect

The strong early interest in the Renault 5 proved to MG that the small affordable EV market is not only real—it’s exploding. Allison admits the Renault has “made the job much more important,” accelerating MG’s urgency to enter the segment. As Europe’s EV market matures, downsizing isn’t just sensible—it’s inevitable.

A Gateway for New Markets

MG also sees the 2 as a strategic tool for unlocking markets where EV adoption is sluggish. Italy is one example Allison cites, where EV share hovers below 4%. Narrow city streets and limited parking have made small EVs a natural fit—but few manufacturers currently offer them at accessible prices.

When someone launches an affordable sub-4-meter EV suited to Italy’s roads, MG believes demand will surge. “It’s a space we absolutely should be in,” Allison said. He’s confident the MG 2 could be a breakthrough car for multiple European regions.

2027: The Next Big Step

With prototypes reportedly close to testing and development work well underway, a 2027 arrival looks likely. If MG delivers on its promise—sub-£25k pricing, grown-up features, and a genuinely European design—the MG 2 could become one of the most relevant small EVs of the decade.

MG is betting big on the idea that the next EV revolution won’t come from luxury crossovers or ultra-cheap commuters, but from well-rounded, compact, versatile electric hatchbacks designed for real European roads. The MG 2 aims to be exactly that.

Source: MG Motor