MG ZS Hybrid+ high engine revs

steviebee said:
I am sorry everyone but we might have to face facts here , there is something fundamentally wrong with the whole set up when the engine makes at times ridiculous noises and far too high revs . My petrol cars of past I never once went over 4000 revs. If the new software update does not come to the UK and fix the problem, I will be selling my zs asp, it’s a shame as it’s a really nice looking car but if it sounds like a bag of hammers it’s a waste of time .
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PD052 is already in the UK and Europe.
 
My ZS Hybrid+ was updated to PD052 on the 23rd of March, and to begin with, I thought that it made matters worse. However, in West Sussex we don’t have many steep hills, therefore I hadn’t experienced the high revs problem.
After driving, post PD052, for a month, I have come to the conclusion that the updated software’s main objective is to prevent total depletion of the battery. This results in a different driving experience. I accept that I don’t encounter steep hills and therefore I cannot comment on what happens there.
What I can say is that the thermal/petrol engine does rev, possible to around 3500 when accelerating hard, and continues to do so, until the battery is replenished. In addition, I suspect that if I do encounter a steep hill, I will not experience the loss of power reported by others.
I have therefore changed my driving technique, and the result is that, if I don’t fixate on the RPM display, and just let the software do its job, the car is more responsive, and a pleasure to drive.
Also, the MPG has improved to around 60, on in-town and B class roads.
 
Is this not the case that the petrol engine in the hybrid while supplementing the drive is also charging the battery at the same time?! At first it is disconcerting, but as usually it is so quiet .... First time ownership of a hybrid, I am used to revs equating to speed in conventional fuel car..
 
Hopefully getting software update done on my ZS today, just wondering has anybody who has had it installed found it has fixed or improved the loss of power issue, while going up hill. Cheers.
 
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John Smith Trophy said:
Is this not the case that the petrol engine in the hybrid while supplementing the drive is also charging the battery at the same time?!
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Very much so. It is however in many hybrids (especially those with a smaller battery or eCVTs), that the engine revs up a lot more frequently, basically at every harder acceleration, and thus it just becomes part of the driving, whilst the MG (but I'd add the Honda Hybrids as well) will use the electric motor much more, and with a comparably large battery, only start recharging - but then prolonged in comparison - less frequently and less in relation to the momentary throttle position.

Having owned (and driven a lot more) "self charging full hybrids" over time (not to be confused with the popular mild hybrid term, those are a different story entirely) , I can attest that high revs are part of the hybrid game everywhere, and indeed the best "charge per liter of fuel used" ratio is in vicinity of max torque, so not at low revs. Generally, high revs as such were not a bug at the MG system that would require an update, it was the loss of power at low charges of battery, or technically the car letting the battery drop below a certain SOC that got it into this situation, as well as then prioritizing charging over driving, causing that scenario.
 
mick78 said:
Very much so. It is however in many hybrids (especially those with a smaller battery or eCVTs), that the engine revs up a lot more frequently, basically at every harder acceleration, and thus it just becomes part of the driving, whilst the MG (but I'd add the Honda Hybrids as well) will use the electric motor much more, and with a comparably large battery, only start recharging - but then prolonged in comparison - less frequently and less in relation to the momentary throttle position.

Having owned (and driven a lot more) "self charging full hybrids" over time (not to be confused with the popular mild hybrid term, those are a different story entirely) , I can attest that high revs are part of the hybrid game everywhere, and indeed the best "charge per liter of fuel used" ratio is in vicinity of max torque, so not at low revs. Generally, high revs as such were not a bug at the MG system that would require an update, it was the loss of power at low charges of battery, or technically the car letting the battery drop below a certain SOC that got it into this situation, as well as then prioritizing charging over driving, causing that scenario.
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Absolutely…..

jarvee said:
Hopefully getting software update done on my ZS today, just wondering has anybody who has had it installed found it has fixed or improved the loss of power issue, while going up hill. Cheers.
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Yes, but the ‘new’ driving experience, takes a bit of getting used to. There are a lot, including mine, of post, which attempt to rationalise the difference, and why the PD052 software was necessary and the difference it makes.
 
So how doesn't the MG3 hybrid suffer from the high revvig when it has the same running gear?
I have the MG3 hybrid no over revving and my son has the ZS hybrid over revving.
 
Mikel14 said:
So how doesn't the MG3 hybrid suffer from the high revvig when it has the same running gear?
I have the MG3 hybrid no over revving and my son has the ZS hybrid over revving.
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To be honest, I can’t think of an easy answer to your question. However, are you sure that the MG3 and the ZS are running the same software and ‘running gear’? The MG3 is a lot lighter, and therefore it’s probable that the software was written to take this, and perhaps other differences, into account.
 
Noel said:
To be honest, I can’t think of an easy answer to your question. However, are you sure that the MG3 and the ZS are running the same software and ‘running gear’? The MG3 is a lot lighter, and therefore it’s probable that the software was written to take this, and perhaps other differences, into account.
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Definitely the same running gear, as for the software can't get any answers out of either MG UK or the dealership.
 
Mikel14 said:
Definitely the same running gear, as for the software can't get any answers out of either MG UK or the dealership.
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The software tuning is certainly different, it isn't even identical for all global markets due to differences in regulations/testing cycles.

That said, the ZS is significantly heavier than the MG3, has wider tires and larger wheel diameter that adds significant rolling resistance, and a higher drag coefficient plus larger frontal surface; That all results in more power required to accelerate, and of course to move uphill, or at higher speeds on the motorway. All reflected already in the better rated economy and faster 0 to 60 times.

Every engine feels more lively (and struggles less) in a smaller and lighter car than a larger heavier one. That said, the MG3 will apparently also receive a SW update, despite it suffering way less from the power loss scenario.
 
I can't wait for the ZS HYBRID I ordered to arrive in about a fortnight, because after reading several comments around the web I got the idea that the high number of engine revs that many people sporadically complain about is a phenomenon strictly linked to the characteristics of hybrid systems, which require a substantially different driving style than just a combustion engine. Being 70 years old and having therefore driven only cars with combustion engines (petrol, diesel and LPG) with manual transmission for over 50 years, I am extremely curious to see how long it will take me to understand the new driving logic and adapt! Among other things, on numerous Italian YouTube channels it is reported that the PD052 update actually solves the problems of loss of power on hills, which were instead not acceptable.
 
I have had mine since 14th March, so far I have not encountered the problems others have reported on here, it reacts the same as my previous Hybrid car, a Renulat Arkana RS Line, but the fuel consumption is much better as it runs in EV mode more often, it does depend on how its driven, I am 78 and find it so much easier to get in and out of and with the auto gear box very easy to drive, I could find fault if I wanted to but I have been lucky with mine so far, you have to get used to making sure you lock the car when leaving it, my previous car locked itself when you walked away, hope you enjoy your new car, look forward to seeing how you get on.
 

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