MG's new recreational vehicle is made in China and offers size and instrumentation that are above its price level
The story of MG in Israel, tells the most significant story that has taken place in the automotive world in recent years.
As this globe became a small global village, something else happened.
In the automotive field, the learning time of relatively new industries has shrunk.
Many decades have passed since a Japanese vehicle was considered an imitation of the real thing from Europe or the United States.
It took the Japanese three decades to close this technological and image gap.
In a sharp transition to the current era - a decade ago, when MG began its journey in Israel, the Chinese were far behind.
When you enter MG EHS you immediately understand.
And it took them 'only' a decade.
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And it has to be said right now, there are over 100 car manufacturers in China and these things are not said for everyone.
But there are those who, under the auspices of government laws there, have been cooperating for many years with European companies seeking to manufacture in China.
The knowledge is acquired, people are recruited, the experience is accumulated and the result is felt.
And here, now, this is the first living example.
The electric ZS, which is the best-selling electric car in Israel, has shown this direction.
The EHS fixes it.
On paper, this is exactly the car that fits the mainstream to which our market aspires.
Recreational vehicle, hybrid propulsion with charging option, complete list of advanced safety equipment, five stars in the European crash test and generous equipment.
A mix that meets exactly the needs.
But depending on the country of origin the sign is more.
The dimensions are larger than we are used to seeing in the compact recreational vehicle segment.
Big enough to get close to the category above.
A hybrid and powerful propulsion unit, compared to very simple and weak propulsion units at competitors that are close to the nominal price (NIS 159,000).
And this positive impression from the data sheet, does not stop there.
Photo: Tomer Feder
face to face
The EHS offers a settled, clean and harmonious look.
The real surprise awaits in the cabin.
Entering the booth reveals a high-quality, planned and executed place at a high level, one that is very pleasant to be in.
For example - red leather upholstery sounds loud and ornate in anything other than a custom-made Rolls-Royce.
But here, inside this well-equipped and spacious cabin, the handling is elegant, blends well with the lines and ambient lighting, and produces a special feeling.
The quality of the materials and the assembly make an excellent impression, it does not look or feel like what goes through the mind when thinking of a Chinese product.
And in general it is unlike anything in this price environment and above it.
We searched, insisted and found two points that did not exhibit high quality or finish.
The belt height adjustment buttons do not match the rest of the atmosphere here, with a feeling that is not dampened enough.
The finish of the calipers also looks a bit rough compared to what is acceptable.
These are the only two details that look or feel cheap in this car.
And it's hard for us to say that it bothered us at some point.
The instrumentation is also impressive.
There is a large digital dashboard here, in the center of the console there is a multimedia screen, electric adjustment for the large and supportive front seats, they are also heated, split climate control, huge sunroof and more.
Safety equipment is more important and the list includes adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping, autonomous braking, dead vehicle warning and more.
Photo: Tomer Feder
on the road
The performance produced by the hybrid propulsion system is excellent.
There is a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor that together produce 258 hp.
Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a smart automatic transmission that combines 6 transmission ratios for the petrol engine and 4 transmission ratios for the electric motor.
The result - instant and effortless acceleration with instant responses to the right pedal.
These performance figures and sensations, easily surpass parallel models in price, and again, even at higher price levels.
The EHS can be driven on electric power only with a declared range of 52 km.
According to the power consumption while driving in EV mode, it is possible to approach this figure - as long as it is a sensible and relaxed ride.
The electricity mix, which can be selected in the system, will affect the overall fuel consumption.
And of course for those whose daily commute is less than those tens of miles and equipped with home luggage, gas stations will become a distant memory.
On bumpy urban roads, the calibration in the MG feels stiff and the comfort reasonable even if it does not completely eliminate the road ailments.
The situation is improving on a faster road.
Both comfortable and excellent road, engine and wind noise insulation.
From the mentioned calibration, the behavior comes out profitable, with good control of the considerable mass that is here at a medium load.
The behavior is predictable and serves as confidence even as the pace increases.
Running a high load on a winding road will find that the MG is not impressed on the one hand but also not eager to cooperate.
The gear changes at top speed become longer and more delayed, the steering wheel gets artificial weight and the regenerative braking ability of the brakes makes the pedal feel less linear.
Photo: Tomer Feder
The Chinese giant
MG EHS offers the local audience everything it wants.
We wrote this at the beginning.
It actually gives a car from a significantly higher price category, in exchange for the same popular price.
The large dimensions, generous instrumentation, sense of quality, performance and electrical capability are impressive.
A partial answer to all of these can only be found in vehicles at a different price level.
The ability to give a lot at a low price has always characterized the Chinese.
The point here is performance, feel, ability.
In other words, if there had been a more familiar emblem here up front, this vehicle would have become a local bestseller overnight.
The MG logo (in its new incarnation) has been circulating on Israeli roads for a decade.
In the last two years, it has become stronger, thanks to the all-electric ZS and a 5-year warranty and 150,000 km for the entire vehicle and an 8-year warranty for the battery.
This is also offered here and at the time of launch the company provides a home charging station to the customer at no extra cost.
It seems that this is a package that is precisely sewn here, one that exactly fits the needs and tastes of the local audience.
MG EHS
Engine: Turbo, 1,490
cc, electric
Power (combined):
258 hp
Torque (combined):
37.7 kg
Gear:
Automatic, 10'h
Propulsion:
Front
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h:
6.9 s
Maximum speed:
190 km / h
Fuel consumption (manufacturer):
50.5 km / l
Wheelbase:
272 cm
Weight:
1,850 kg
Price:
NIS 159,000
Pros:
Value, packaging, ability
Cons:
What about pure electric propulsion
Bottom line:
an offer that is hard to refuse
