MG expected to bring two new EVs to NZ by end of the year

MG New Zealand has confirmed it will launch one new electric SUV locally before the end of the year, whilst teasing the likelihood of another. 

Speaking to the media at today’s local launch of the updated MG 4 and new MG 4 Urban, MG New Zealand country business manager Dean Sheed confirmed that the MGS6 SUV is set to touch down in New Zealand before Christmas. 

And, that wasn’t all. Whilst Sheed stopped short of issuing a full confirmation, he also teased that the U9 EV electric ute could see a local launch in Q3 of this year. 

The MGS6 is the larger sibling to the MGS5, which arrived in New Zealand last year. The model could be considered as a rival for smaller crossovers like the Skoda Elroq, Jaecoo J5, and BYD Atto 3, as well as larger mid-size competitors like the Toyota bZ4X and Tesla Model Y.

In the UK, the MGS6 is offered with a 77kWh battery pack, with a claimed WLTP-rated range of 530km to a charge. Peak charging speeds top out at 144kW, whilst its single-motor powertrain sends 180kW/350Nm to the rear wheels. 

There’s also an all-wheel drive version, which trims 0–100kph sprint times down from 7.3 seconds to 5.1 seconds. Range also drops, to 485km claimed.

Standard kit in all UK-sold models includes a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital cluster, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, and more. 

The addition to the MGS6 to MG New Zealand’s electric line-up bolsters its ranks at a time of considerable EV demand in New Zealand, as motorists continue to feel the pinch of high petrol prices. 

The U9 EV, meanwhile, has been a pressing topic for the brand in recent times following confirmation in March that the model has been up for official compliance across the ditch. MG New Zealand confirmed at the time that the U9 EV was “under consideration” for local sale. 

Australian-based U9 EVs feature a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, with the motors producing 200kW of power and 125kW of torque respectively for a total system power output of 325kW.

Braked towing capacity is listed at 3500kg, with a payload of 685kg, while the U9 EV is listed as offering a choice of 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheels.

While MG has yet to disclose a direct battery capacity for the U9 EV, the eTerron 9 – which has the same outputs and braked towing capacity – has a 102kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, good for 430km of WLTP range.

Ironically, an LDV eTerron 9 was spotted testing in Auckland earlier this month. The race is on to see which of the two sister plug-in utes will launch to the market first.