Last month’s MIIT listings took us by surprise with the MG S5. The car was previously unknown and shows a new compact all-electric SUV from the brand, which is likely to launch in the Chinese market soon. Spy shots have just emerged of the car testing in the Czech Republic indicating that this car is likely destined for the European market.
Dutch car magazine AutoWeek published pictures taken by reader Henri van Middendorp of the car charging in the Czech Republic. When the S5 was listed last month, we said that it would almost certainly make its way to Europe, and the spy shot gives evidence to back this up.
The MG S5 is likely the successor to the MG ZS, which has been in production since 2017. Although AutoWeek claims that the car will fit between the MG ZS and the Marvel R models size-wise, we are not so convinced. The MG ZS was not designed from scratch as an EV and is merely a conversion of an ICE car. Given this and the model’s advancing years, we believe the S5 should be seen as the replacement for at least the electric version of the car.
According to the MIIT listing information released last month, we know the car has dimensions of 4476, 1849, and 1621 mm (l/w/h), and the wheelbase is 2730 mm – it should be noted that the MG ZS has a length of 4323 mm. The S5 is powered by a rear axle-mounted 125 kW TZ180XS0951 electric motor sourced from United Automotive Electronics. This is the same motor used in the single-motor version of the MG 4 (Mulan), and there is almost certainly quite a strong relationship between the two models. The MG S5 is likely based on the same platform and may well even have the same sized battery packs as the MG 4 (see specs), which currently offers a choice from 51 and 64 kWh. The car will use lithium iron phosphate battery packs assembled by SAIC’s venture with CATL. There are two MIIT listings for the MG S5, with the presumably lower spec version weighing 1615 kg and the heavier higher spec version being either 1685 or 1740 kg, depending on equipment level. Top speed is 170 KMH.
The MG S5 is available with 17- and 18-inch wheels. Options include a panoramic roof and various wheel and mirror options. We can see from the interior spy shot that the MG S5 has a similar layout to the MG 4. There is a small LCD instrument panel, a dashboard-mounted infotainment unit, and a squared steering wheel.
At the front, the MG S5 has a classic X shape with slender headlights and a lower air intake. The bottom has a split grille design similar to that of the MG Cyberster. A wave-like line starts on the front wing and makes its way to the rear of the car. At the rear, there is a through-type tail light and a generally clean look.
Chinese sales should begin before the end of the year. It is likely that the car will need to have a different name for sales in Europe, where the S5 badge would probably cause problems with Audi. In Europe, the car might well inherit the ZS name if the car is indeed an EV replacement for the first-generation SUV.
Sources: AutoWeek, MIIT
