SAIC Motor Malaysia Sdn Bhd has just reintroduced the Morris Garages (MG) to the local market, just in time for the latter's 100th anniversary.
A lot has changed since Malaysians last saw the brand in the mid-2000s, when it was known as MG Rover.
Though it was forced to exit the market at the time when it went bust, the company has since found a new lease (and profitable) of life under the ownership of Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor.
Biding its time, the brand has finally made its return, this time as an auto manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs).
Its return is accompanied by the introduction of two EV models: the MG4 and MG ZS EV.
Both models are available for booking at competitive prices of around and below RM160,000.
MG4
The MG4 will consist of four specifications, being the MG4 Standard, MG4 Lux, Lux Extended Range and the powerful MG4 XPower.
They are priced at RM104,000, RM129,000, RM149,000 and RM159,000, respectively.
The battery capacities are available from 51kWh to 77kWh, with a range of between 350km and 520km (WLTP).
The standard MG4 comes with a 51kWh battery that delivers 170PS and 250Nm of torque, with a 350km range.
The Lux variant bumps up the performance across the board with its 64kWh battery, delivering 203PS and 250Nm of torque with a 430km range.
The Lux Extended Range is largely similar to the Lux variant except for its 77kWh battery that powers out 245PS and 258Nm of torque with a 520km range.
The XPower sacrifices its range and focuses heavily on acceleration. It shares the same 64kWh battery as the Lux variant but doubles its power to 435PS with a maximum torque of 600Nm.
As a result, it can sprint from zero to 100kph in 3.8 seconds, though that also means a shorter range at 384km.
It is the only model to have an all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor setup, whereas the other variants are on rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a single motor.
The seven colour choices are Volcano Orange, Holborn Blue, Dynamic Red, Arctic White, Camden Grey, Black Pearl and Monument Silver, with an exclusive matte option of Racing Green for the MG4 XPower.
Additionally, the Lux and Lux Extended Range also come with a two-tone black roof.
The five-door hatchback has a length of 4,287mm, a width of 1,836 mm and a height of 1,504mm, with a 2,705m wheelbase.
The luggage compartment's capacity is between 363 and 1,177 litres.
The MG Pilot, which is essentially the brand's advanced driver assistance and safety systems package, comes standard. It includes front collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assistance, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance and intelligent high beam assist.
The Lux, Extended Range and XPower variants also get blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, door opening warning and a 360-degree camera.
The MG iSmart voice command system can be accessed by calling out "Hello MG".
The system allows the driver to remotely start their car and turn on the air-conditioning via the user's mobile device. The application can also preset the destination of the onboard navigation system immediately.
Additionally, aside from real-time vehicle information such as fuel level, battery condition or brake condition, the application can also instantly notify the user of suspected car theft based on unusual vehicle movement.
MG ZS EV
The B-segment MG ZS EV sport utility vehicle (SUV) is available from an estimated RM129,000.
It has a 51.1kWh Li-Ion battery, which offers a range of 320km (WLTP cycle).
The model boasts a maximum outp
ut of 130kW (176PS) and 280Nm of torque. It can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 8.0 seconds.
The vehicle's exterior is defined by grill-less bold front, "Silverstone" headlights featuring 21 LED units, redesigned "Phantom" LED taillights at the rear, and a charging port featuring a spring-loaded cover that opens sideways for a better seal.
It is available in four colours, namely Dynamic Red, Arctic White, Black Pearl and Monument Silver.
Inside the cabin is a touchscreen control system, an all-digital seven-inch multi-information display, wireless phone charging, rear passenger central armrest and an auto climate control with rear vents.
The luggage compartment has a volume of between 448 and 1,187 litres.
Its MG Pilot pack includes front collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assistance, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert and intelligent high beam assist.
Both the MG4 and MG ZS EV come with a comprehensive warranty package, including seven years or 150,000km (whichever comes first) on the vehicle and eight years or 180,000km (whichever comes first) on the battery.
All models can also be remotely connected via the brand's iSmart Mobile App.
SAIC hasn't tied up with any local dealership and, for the time being, will operate independently.
