SAIC Motor previews MG EVs for PH market

Yesterday, we received insider information about MG's electrification plans for the Philippines. With the marque now a direct subsidiary of SAIC Motor locally, the Chinese auto brand plans to bring not one, not two, but three electric vehicles (EVs) into the country.

These are the MG Marvel R, the MG4, and the ZS EV. While the company has yet to officially reveal it to the media and the public, they have already previewed it for the dealers. With the official specs and features still a mystery, what can we expect from each EV that MG is targeting to launch in Q4 of this year?

Starting with the MG4, it's an all-electric hatchback that features hot hatch styling and performance without carbon emissions. One of our closest neighbors Thailand already has it and it measures 4287mm long, 1836mm wide, and 1516mm tall. It has a single electric motor powering the rear wheels and can deliver up to 204 PS although the one in Thailand only makes 170 PS with 250 Nm of torque. It's also available with a 51 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery which gives it the ability to cover 425 km on a full charge.

Inside, the MG4 has a floating center console and a pair of digital displays – one serves as the instrument cluster while the other is a touchscreen infotainment system. In international markets, the hatchback is available with a power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic climate control, a wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay + Android connectivity, USB-A + USB-C charging ports, as well as a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system to power equipment.

Next is the MG Marvel R electric compact crossover. It's made by MG's sub-brand Roewe but is sold under the MG brand in international markets. In its most powerful form, the Marvel R comes with a trio of electric motors (two on the rear, one in the front) with all-wheel drive which doles out an impressive 288 PS and 665 Nm of torque. The rear-wheel drive version, on the other hand, makes 186 PS with 410 Nm of torque. Power comes from either a 52.5 kWh battery or a bigger 70 kWh which gives it an estimated range of 420 km on a full charge.

Complementing its high-tech electric powertrain is an equally cutting-edge interior with a tablet-like 19.4-inch touchscreen infotainment with Corning Gorilla Glass, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a wireless charger.

Other cabin features are still a mystery although international versions come with Nappa leather seats, a 9-speaker Bose sound system, a power tailgate, LED ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and heated/ventilated seats.

Last but not least is the MG ZS EV. Like the MG4, this one is also available in Thailand and is essentially a ZS but without an ICE under the hood. In The Land of Smiles, the ZS EV has a single electric motor that puts out 177 PS with 280 Nm of torque and has a 50.3 kWh battery. On a full charge, it can cover a distance of 403 km.

Like its stablemates, it too comes with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument panel, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a host of USB-C/USB-A charging ports, a sunroof, and leather upholstery.

With SAIC Motor looking to bring more EVs into the country, buyers that have been looking to make the switch to EVs will have more choices in the not-so-distant future.