New MG HS to be revealed at Goodwood Festival of Speed

MG has given its HS a “sophisticated” overhaul, with more interior space and a claimed best-in-class electric range from its plug-in-hybrid powertrain in a bid to boost sales of its bestselling model.

To be revealed at next week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new SUV is understood to be based on the Chinese-market Roewe RX5, according to an MG insider.

It will mirror the current HS’s offerings of a petrol engine and a plug-in-hybrid powertrain but bring improvements to fuel economy and electric range.

The current car offers around 38mpg and 32 miles of electric range – the RX5 is claimed to achieve as much as 43 electric-only miles.

Teased ahead of the reveal, the HS looks to have been given a comprehensive redesign closely mirroring the Roewe RX5 and with a “contemporary, sophisticated” new look, MG says.

MG will hope the new vehicle builds on the car’s 14,161 sales so far this year; in total the brand has sold 35,732 vehicles in 2024, up 12% year-on-year. Prices start from £23,295.

The new HS, previously previewed in patent filings (below), will arrive as part of a comprehensive upgrade of the Chinese brand’s combustion line up, joining the new MG 3.

General manager of its business unit, Lu Jiajun, has previously told Autocar that the brand was  heavily committed to both ICE and electric cars, saying the Chinese company will take two development paths in a bid to extend its sales volumes.

“We will not give up the fuel vehicle market,” he said. “After all, many global markets still favour traditional vehicles.”

Recognition of MG’s commitment to ICE cars comes as the brand experiences solid growth in the sales of EVs in key export markets, including the UK, with models such as the MG ZS crossover and MG 4 hatchback.

The highlight of the brand’s centenary year, though, will be the unveiling of an electric SUV conceived as a new flagship.

Positioned as the successor to the MG Marvel R (pictured below), it will also be based on the MSP, which can accommodate various battery capacities of up to 150kWh and facilitate battery swapping.

As previously reported by Autocar, surging sales in the UK and Australia have prompted MG to rethink its decision to offer the Marvel R in left-hand-drive form only, and so its successor is due on sale in the UK by 2025.

Speaking about the new electric SUV, Lu said: “The appearance of this car is great and the price will make it competitive.”

MG UK commercial director Guy Pigounakis earlier told Autocar the Marvel R’s replacement is “a completely different car” and suggested it will be priced at around £45,000.

MG is also readying a “big upgrade” to the interior of the 4, according to Lu. This is due to be launched during the second half of 2024, only around two years after the car arrived in Europe.

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