MG ZS EV Facelift - Test drives

[Mogshock]

Hi, newbie here. Currently drive an Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Awesome car and amazing to drive but have found it too big for what I need so have been looking to downsize and make the change to electric. The MG ZS EV appears to be ideal for what I want really. I'm going to have a test drive at Mangoletsi on Monday in what is likely to be the pre facelift model. If I like it enough it's likely to be a Battersea Blue Trophy for me.

 

[Lovemyev]

I'm going to have a test drive at Mangoletsi on Monday in what is likely to be the pre facelift model.

I would just wait and test drive the face lift model to be honest ?.

 

[Sam Luscombe]

Great question @Lummex .
The figures provided by Sam, should hopefully convince you that your journey is achievable.
My gut reaction says that the 72 kw/h pack should make that trip just fine, even on the coldest days !.

I think you're right, they go off expected worst case scenarios and guess the usable capacity of the battery pack.

I'd be interested to know the m/kWh achieved at 60mph & 70mph from any current ZS EV owners too, to have a comparison if/when @Sam Luscombe can provide figures on the long range model. I'm curious whether there's anything more than just a bigger battery, or whether the facelifted body makes any difference!

My gut feel is that this should be achievable, having said that, I only drove it my usual commute which is 12 miles through and out the other side of Leeds but managed over 3.5 m/kwh in about 8 degrees with the heater on.

Out of the office today but our Trophy is arriving today so I'll be able to do a comparison of the incremental features of the Connect to see, honestly and realistically, whether the Connect warrants the £500.

 

[Lummex]

My gut feel is that this should be achievable, having said that, I only drove it my usual commute which is 12 miles through and out the other side of Leeds but managed over 3.5 m/kwh in about 8 degrees with the heater on.

Out of the office today but our Trophy is arriving today so I'll be able to do a comparison of the incremental features of the Connect to see, honestly and realistically, whether the Connect warrants the £500.

Thanks @Sam Luscombe, that's helpful. Can I ask what sort of speeds you were doing? I saw KC Talks EV's latest video on the MG5 Long Range () where he seems to say at motorway speeds he's getting about 3m/kwh, though this video didn't cover it in detail.

I assume (perhaps incorrectly) the MG5 is slightly more efficient than the ZS, so that would be cutting it very close!

 

[Sam Luscombe]

Thanks @Sam Luscombe, that's helpful. Can I ask what sort of speeds you were doing? I saw KC Talks EV's latest video on the MG5 Long Range () where he seems to say at motorway speeds he's getting about 3m/kwh, though this video didn't cover it in detail.

I assume (perhaps incorrectly) the MG5 is slightly more efficient than the ZS, so that would be cutting it very close!

Through Leeds at rush hour... Probably averaged under 20mph. That said, when I got onto the dual carriageway I gave it a bit of squirt to see if it felt any different. I'll do a full test when I get chance and properly put it through its paces and take it up to a Rapid and see what charge speeds we get, and also see the effects of the battery heater.

 

[Lummex]

Through Leeds at rush hour... Probably averaged under 20mph. That said, when I got onto the dual carriageway I gave it a bit of squirt to see if it felt any different. I'll do a full test when I get chance and properly put it through its paces and take it up to a Rapid and see what charge speeds we get, and also see the effects of the battery heater.

Fab, thank you.

 

[Mogshock]

I would just wait and test drive the face lift model to be honest ?.

Well I hope it will be but I have read and watched zillions of reviews of both versions. For me it's about the move from a much bigger petrol car to electric so the test drive will be about that as much as anything.

Watch this space ?

 

[Kithmo]

Is the Battersea blue a metallic ?

 

[Mogshock]

Is the Battersea blue a metallic ?

Yes it is. It's a vivid electric blue.

 

[drmcw]

One more question: Do any of the screens give an indication of battery temperature in the new model?

 

[Lovemyev]

Is the Battersea blue a metallic ?

Yep !.
I have already seen the Battersea blue colour at the dealership before the EV arrived.
You can have the Battersea Blue colour on the ICE ZS Face Lift model.
They had one in the showroom at my local dealership about two weeks ago.
The interior is very similar also with the same seats and red stitching.
It’s personal choice I know, but I really like the new blue colour.
We have Dynamic Red at the moment.

 

[Alan]

One more question: Do any of the screens give an indication of battery temperature in the new model?

As it has a manual battery heater function now, that would be a good idea to have that, will check when I have my test drive on Saturday, if somebody else doesn't first!

 

[Gomev]

...
Am I right in thinking this much lower voltage reported is a lot closer to the pack voltage on the MG5 ????.
...
Not sure if the HVAC is running though ?.
It is showing that the climate is set at 21 degrees and fan blower set to speed one, but not sure if it is running.
What say you ?.

View attachment 5753

Yes voltage on the 5LR is 402v ish.
Also show Current 1 amp next to voltage which would suggest that HVAC is not on.
and so say I.

 

[Lovemyev]

Yes voltage on the 5LR is 402v ish.
Also show Current 1 amp next to voltage which would suggest that HVAC is not on.
and so say I.

Interesting then ( to me anyway ? ).
If the pack voltage on the new ZS EV face lift is around 405 volts when full, then this is a lot lower than either voltage status reports on the Gen1 ZS EV.
Either 455 - 456 volts ( factory software ) or 448 - 450 volts after the BMS update.
But MG5 is close at around a similar voltage of 405 volts.
I wonder why they have dropped the reported upper voltage now ?.
Battery longevity maybe ???????.

 

[Jonnobris]

Hi, Test drive done and order placed for Arctic White Trophy.

In answer to the couple of questions I had:
1) no noticeable motor whine and was certainly quieter than my 2018 Leaf Tekna. Ride much better. Not sure what mk1 was like, but it wad pretty silent.
2) I did 5.5 miles and lost 2% of range and 3.3 mpkwh. Mixture of city and a couple of miles at 60mph.
3) couldn't get a picture of the battery but I think this has been answered elsewhere.

The car was showing 247 miles at 91% in eco and heating off. 234 with heating on and 223 miles at 91% in sport and heating on. Roads where wet and it was raining.

Good placement of usb for dashcam as well.

Little regen in level 3 but would expect that at 91%.

Charge flap is locked with car. Infotainment is very responsive and clear and intuitive.

Now the wait begins.

 

[duffer]

Just back from a test drive of a trophy connect and have some questions. I have never driven the original mg zs ev but I have test driven a e-Niro, enyaq and an id3.
The main question is with how does MG pilot work. I thought it steered in the middle of the lane but I found it just bounced between the lines and was uncomfortable and worrying. I looked like it was just acc and lane keep assist. I couldnt find any lane follow options.
the other thing was the centre console is very high that I felt I was sitting in a slot with my elbows constrainted, is this the same as the previous version?

 

[rbpasapera]

Just back from a test drive of a trophy connect and have some questions. I have never driven the original mg zs ev but I have test driven a e-Niro, enyaq and an id3.
The main question is with how does MG pilot work. I thought it steered in the middle of the lane but I found it just bounced between the lines and was uncomfortable and worrying. I looked like it was just acc and lane keep assist. I couldnt find any lane follow options.
the other thing was the centre console is very high that I felt I was sitting in a slot with my elbows constrainted, is this the same as the previous version?

Gen1 ZS EV seat height can be adjusted, did you try to adjust it?

 

[duffer]

I did, surpprised by how high it could go but then brought it back down to a height I liked. I found my elbow kept ending up in the cup holder when turning corners. I drive a Kia ceed at the moment and the MG felt confined in comparison but is bigger on paper.

 

[Cosmic Resident]

The main question is with how does MG pilot work. I thought it steered in the middle of the lane but I found it just bounced between the lines and was uncomfortable and worrying. I looked like it was just acc and lane keep assist. I couldnt find any lane follow options.

As I understood it;
On the old version, Lane Assist System could be activated independently of MG Pilot and ACC, and had three modes - alert (warn), Departure Assist (ping pong), and Lane Keeping (Lane Follow).

Activating MG pilot combined ACC with Lane Keeping.

I am assuming the new version has at minimum, the same capabilities.

Pat explains it here;

 

[duffer]

The system might still be there but it’s not in the manual, only acc and and another section later on for lane assist. The options have changed, I didn’t see lane departure assist but there is emergency lane keeping.