MG ZS EV Long Range in Australia from March

A longer-range MG ZS electric SUV is on the way to Australia, with orders opening from March and a batch already on the boat.

This ZS EV long range comes with a 72kWh battery and a claimed 440km WLTP driving range – compared to a 50kWh battery and 320km range for the ZS EV Standard Range.

Expect a price premium of roughly $5000 over the standard range, which kicks off at $44,990 before on-road costs (which vary by state).

MG Australia said its dealers had been receiving many requests for the longer-range model since the standard range arrived in updated form during September 2022.

According to UK specs the ZS EV Long Range has a 72.6kWh battery (68kWh useable), and a slightly detuned front drive motor making 115kW (versus 130kW). Therefore its 0-100km/h is two-tenths slower at 8.2 seconds.

Its efficiency is 17.8kWh per 100km, versus 17.3kW per 100km for the standard range.

Once MG Australia offers the ZS EV standard range and long range models, it will turn its attention to the all-new MG 4 rear-wheel drive hatch, which arrives this July priced as low as $40,000 – based on its overseas positioning relative to the ZS.

That means by the third quarter of 2023, the Chinese brand will be selling multiple EV options priced below the rebate caps available in Australia’s states and territories, and also priced below the cap for the fringe-benefits tax waiver for business buyers.

MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao said the company was keen to “continue providing the best driving experience possible and make EVs more accessible to all Australians”.

“… We know this model will speak to many people’s needs and wants in Australia and New Zealand as it has with other markets around the world.

“The MG4 is the first MG to be based on our EV-only MSP (Modular Scalable Platform). This introduction of our EV-only platform signals our ongoing commitment to ‘Take Charge’ and intention to move toward an EV future.

“We listened to our customers’ feedback and have fast tracked the arrival of our long range ZS EV with a larger 72kW battery pack and 440km of range to Australia.”

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