MG has revealed the second generation of its popular HS SUV at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, ahead of the first customer deliveries getting under way by the end of this month.
The new-look version of MG's largest model will be offered with the choice of pure-petrol or plug-in hybrid power, with prices starting from £24,995 or £31,495 respectively - undercutting many similarly sized rivals.
The standard petrol engine has been given a slight boost to produce 168bhp and 203lb ft of torque, but the PHEV is much more dramatically uprated, boosting the electric motor's contribution from 121bhp to 207bhp, for an estimated combined output north of 300bhp.
Meanwhile, the battery has been upsized to 24.7kWh for a claimed EV range of 75 miles - which means the HS PHEV now attracts a BIK tax rate of just 5% - in addition to "considerable" fuel savings, although MG hasn't yet released consumption figures.
The new HS brings a complete styling overhaul, and with it a 14mm increase in width, a 26mm increase in length and 30mm of extra space between the wheels for a 2750mm wheelbase. The sleeker roofline, though, brings its total height down by 30mm and "creates a more athletic silhouette", MG says.
MG hasn't shared pictures of the interior yet but has said the HS gets a pair of 12.3in screens with smartphone mirroring, "improved" switchgear throughout and boosts in material quality and space. The boot is now 44 litres bigger, at 507 litres.
All variants get a seven-year/8000-mile warranty and a comprehensive standard kit list that includes a rear parking camera, keyless entry and a six-way adjustable driver's seat.
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It's a pity MG has re-styled this into another anodyne China-style SUV -it's indistinguishable from a BYD or JAC or any of the other brands out there. At least previously the styling tried to be more in tune with European tastes -which helped the sales numbers. I doubt Kaban or Gotham had much to do with this effort.
I've seen them used as utility cars for the NHS, cheap and looks it too.
That was only last year so there might be some great deals on that model HS now and certainly once this one comes out.