MG teases all-new ZS HEV ahead of world premiere

MG ZS to have hybrid powertrain

There’s no doubt that the first-generation ZS crossover was the model that made the MG brand popular in the Philippines. But now that it’s been in the market for quite a while, one look at the Land Down Under tells us that a successor could soon be on the way.

MG Motor Australia has previewed the all-new ZS crossover ahead of its global debut. They released a teaser image showing a full model change of the popular subcompact SUV with some familiar design elements.

The second-generation ZS appears to be a mini-me version of the all-new MG HS that was revealed back at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. But as the pictures show, the all-new ZS may have grown in size compared to the current model.

The front end looks similar to the MG3 hatchback with a large grille on the lower section and a horizonal bar that connects the LED headlights. Likewise, the rear end appears to have similarly-shaped taillights with the MG3 hatchback but with typical crossover elements such as a faux diffuser and twin exhaust pipes, which are yet to be known if it’s functional or just a styling piece.

There’s no official specifications yet for the powertrain, but according to some reports the MG ZS could share its powertrain with the MG3 hatchback. This means the all-new ZS could be offered with a 120 PS, 150 Nm 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine or a 1.5-liter inline-four hybrid with 190 PS and 250 Nm of torque.

In the non-hybrid variant, the ZS could have an 8-speed CVT or a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the HEV variant could be paired to a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). 

With the ZS being an important model in the Philippine market for MG, it will be interesting to see how the hybrid version would fit in terms of product positioning, especially with the existing ZS EV. The world premiere is set to happen on August 26, so expect official details and specifications to become available once the all-new MG ZS has made its debut. Watch this space for more updates as we move closer to the reveal date.