MG are lapping up its centenary anniversary at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Following quickly on the tail of the MG Cyber GTS unveiling comes the unveiling of the new 2nd generation MG HS resplendent with right-hand drive. What’s more UK deliveries are set to begin this month.
As reported earlier this month the second-generation MG HS is heavily based on the third-generation Roewe RX5 and the related D5X PHEV which are also part of the SAIC portfolio. So far major outlets are relying on rather vague dimension descriptions coming from Goodwood which, confusingly, have been just listed as being how much bigger each dimension is to the first-generation MG HS.
Luckily the MG website has already listed the car with the actual figures, and they are completely different to what everybody has calculated! Dimensions are 4655, 1890, and 1664 mm (l/w/h) while the wheelbase is 2765 mm. These dimensions mean that the car has the same wheelbase as the Roewe D5X (see specs) but otherwise the dimensions are the same as the Roewe RX5.
At the front the second-generation MG HS has a sharply sloping hood that leads down into a large grille. The grille is surrounded by air intakes and fog lamps and above which are two slender light clusters. A silver chrome strip runs from the A-pillar to the top of the D-pillar. There are conventional door handles and sporty-looking 5-spoke wheels.
Compared with the overly fussy MG GS the second-generation HS has a very simple rear. A through tail light links the light clusters on the rear wings and there is a skid plate at the bottom along with two chromed tipped exhaust pipes. Buyers have a choice from five colors: White Pearl, Black Pearl, Sterling Silver Metallic, Hampstead Grey Metallic, and Dynamic Red.
There are two trim levels, SE and Trophy, for the UK market. As standard, the SE version gets dual 12.3-inch screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a rear parking camera. Other features include electrically adjusted and heated exterior mirrors. For the Trophy spec the audio system increases from six to eight speakers, and there is a 360-degree view parking camera, wireless phone charging, along with electrically adjustable seats with heating for both the driver and front passenger. Trunk space is 507 liters.
As predicted the powertrain is similar to the Roewe RX5 and the PHEV D5X. First to go on sale this month will be the ICE version of the MG HS. This comes with a 1.5 T engine but the engine is weaker than in the RX5 producing 168 hp (125 kW) with maximum torque of 275 Nm. Buyers have the choice between a six-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Acceleration times from 0-100 km/h are 9.4 seconds for the manual and 9.6 seconds for the automatic while top speeds are 118 and 121 mph (190 and 195 km/h) respectively. Combined WLTP fuel consumption figures are 7.4 l/100km for the manual and 7.6 l/100 km for the automatic.
Sales of the PHEV version are expected to begin at the end of September in the UK. Full details of the PHEV seem hazy, and it is not yet listed on MG’s website, however, it is known to be based around a 24.7 kWh battery pack with an all-electric range of 75 miles (121 km). Battery capacity is slightly more than the 21.5 kWh pack used by the D5X. Acceleration time from 0-100 km/h is given as 6.8 seconds. The electric motor is a front-mounted 153 kW peak power unit. This means the powertrain is almost certainly the same as used by the Roewe D5X DMH system and so the MG HS should use the 1.5 liter turbocharged hybrid 15FKE engine which has a maximum power of 110 kW.
UK prices are set to start from 24,995 GBP (32,300 USD) for the ICE version and 31,495 GBP (40,700 USD) for the PHEV. Currently the MG HS has not received an MIIT listing without which it cannot be sold in China. The ICE version, and possibly the PHEV as well, will go on sale in the UK before China. Sales to mainland European markets are also likely to start soon.
