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Cheaper 2022 MG HS Plus EV Excite delayed to March

The more affordable version of the MG HS Plus EV plug-in hybrid – formerly known as the Vibe, but now badged Excite – will arrive later than expected.

The entry-level version of the 2022 MG HS Plus EV plug-in hybrid has been delayed to March 2022 – coinciding with a name change from Vibe to Excite, which is expected to correlate to a price higher than initially anticipated.

Announced in December 2021 for launch in January 2022 as the HS Plus EV Vibe, the entry-level variant of MG’s plug-in hybrid family SUV is now due to arrive in March 2022, badged as the HS Plus EV Excite.

While the name change would normally indicate an increase in features – as the Excite sits above the Vibe in the petrol HS range – Drive understands standard equipment levels have not changed as part of the branding change.

With the new variant’s equipment level now known to be closer to the more expensive, petrol-powered Excite than the cheaper Vibe, it now appears unlikely it will drop near or below the $40,000 drive-away mark, as previously expected – with a price closer to $45,000 drive-away now forecast.

The current MG HS Plus EV Essence is priced from $48,990 drive-away, following a price rise earlier this month. In 1.5-litre petrol-powered trim, the HS Essence is $4000 more than the mid-spec Excite ($38,990 vs $34,990), with the Vibe a further $4000 less expensive ($30,990).

MG Australia is yet to confirm which features currently standard on the Essence will be dropped for the new Excite variant, however some could include a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch wheels and ‘leather’ front sports seats (with 17-inch alloys and ‘PU’ synthetic trim used instead).

Features shared with the Essence are likely to include a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, power tailgate, keyless entry and start, and rear parking sensors.

MG Australia confirmed last year the HS Plus EV Vibe – as the inbound base model was known then – would offer the MG Pilot active safety suite, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

Powering the upcoming HS Plus EV Excite is expected to be the same 119kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder as the Essence, connected to a 90kW/230Nm electric motor, 16.6kWh lithium-ion battery and 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

Combined outputs are rated at 189kW and 370Nm – good for a 6.9-second 0-100km/h time – while MG claims 63km of all-electric range (according to lenient NEDC testing) and a five-hour charge time o a 7kW AC socket.

Stay tuned to Drive for more details of the new 2022 MG HS Plus EV Excite, once they’re announced after March 1.

The post Cheaper 2022 MG HS Plus EV Excite delayed to March appeared first on Drive.

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