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By cup maceda aguila
It would not be an exaggeration to say that, because the initial hype on battery electric vehicles (battery electric vehicle) is stable for a number of reasons, with hybrid powertrains becoming the de facto poster child for electrification. No doubt, the government's friendly policies, such as zero import duty on hybrids, have helped.
Then there's the minor concern of range anxiety for BEVs – largely created by public charging infrastructure that honestly leaves a lot to be desired. If charging points cannot become ubiquitous, many car buyers will remain on the fence when considering a BEV purchase – even with the announced range of new models on the uptrend.
Last weekend, MG Motor Philippines added to its growing local selection of conventional hybrid options with the unveiling of the MG HS, which comes in a sole Hybrid+ variant. A big brother to the highly successful MG ZS, the five-seater first arrives in the Philippines in the first quarter of 2022 – when the Morris Garages brand is still owned by The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) was administered locally.
The HS nameplate first appeared globally in 2018, with the second generation introduced last year. Interestingly, it is a rebadged, redesigned version of the Roewe RX5. If you remember, the MG RX5 also arrived in the Philippines. Of course, Roewe, yes, along with MG, is another brand of China-headquartered Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC). In a previous interview with this writer, SAIC Motor Philippines President Felix Jiang informed that MG is able to bring a wider mix of vehicles due to its membership in the SAIC family of brands. For example, the multi-purpose vehicle Maxus G50 was reborn as the MG G50 Plus.
Certainly, the HS will play a heavy role in MG's continued sales growth as well as the “greening” of its lineup. According to the latest report from the Philippine Automotive Dealership Association, year-to-date MG sales stood at 7,578 units through October – helping it remain in the top 10.
The all-new version of MG HS comes with established credentials. “It has earned an impressive reputation in Europe, consistently ranking as one of MG's top-performing and most beloved models,” said Karl Magsusi, vice president of operations for MG Motor Philippines, in his speech after the model's unveiling at the Bonifacio Global City Amphitheater in Taguig. One of the key points that MG Motor Philippines highlighted about the new HS is its five-star rating from both the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This approval comes on top of its nomination for European Car of the Year 2025 for its safety. “In Europe, the HS has consistently been one of MG's best-selling models, and in the United Kingdom, it has ranked among the top 10 best-selling cars last year and again this year so far,” the executive said.
Like its predecessor, the all-new HS Hybrid+ gets a turbocharged 1.5-litre – this time paired with a high-output electric motor mated to a 1.83-kilowatt battery. Compared to the existing HS, the Hybrid+ claims more power (224PS vs 169PS) and torque (340 Nm vs 250 Nm). The result, MG claimed, is “effortless acceleration and effortless performance on any road.” “The fuel consumption test we conducted under the supervision of the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) resulted in a fuel consumption of 21.55kpl, which provides a total driving range of more than 1,000 kilometers,” Mr. Magsusi said. This is expected to be another strong selling point of HS.
The powertrain features an “Intelligent Two-Speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission” that “seamlessly” transitions the vehicle from all-electric, hybrid and internal combustion engine power. Meanwhile, eight “intelligently managed propulsion modes” are said to optimize performance and fuel efficiency.
Exterior highlights are digital matrix LED lighting, a functional roof rail with 75 kg capacity and 19-inch black alloy wheels. In the cabin, passengers are welcomed by a dual 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other equipment includes wireless charging, dual-zone automatic climate control with air purifier and leather seating with six-way electric adjustment, four-way lumbar support and multi-position memory for the driver's seat. It also has a panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate and reverse auto-tilting mirrors.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features included in the brand's MG Pilot suite include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and braking and a 360-degree camera. Additionally, the HS gets a range of active and passive safety measures: driver and front passenger, side and curtain air bags; Autobrake hold; antilock brakes; electronic brakeforce distribution; Cornering Brake Control; traction control; vehicle dynamics control; and active rollover protection.
“The MG HS Hybrid+ is more than just a new model – it is a statement of our intent for the future of mobility in the Philippines,” MG Motor Philippines president Felix Jiang said in a statement. “It brings together modern design, world-class safety and next-generation hybrid technology in one premium package.”
The MG HS Hybrid+ is available in Black Pearl, Lunar Grey, Pearl White, Champagne Silver and Diamond Red at a starting price of P1,388,888. For more information or to book a test drive visit www.mgmotor.com.ph.
