Brit-by-birthright, Chinese-by-ownership, international-by-intent MG is about to release a competitor for the country’s favourite new plug-in hybrid.

MG’s flagship sports utility, the medium-sized HS, will come on sale here in April in a plug-in electric format for $52,990.

The first plug-in hybrid brand model from MG owner SAIC is also the marque’s second electric car here.

It stands as a big brother to the $4000 cheaper and physically smaller pure electric ZS EV, also a front-drive five seater, whose position as the country’s cheapest fully electric new car has seen it capture strong sales since release four months ago.

The HS will present in a high level specification with a primary target seemingly being a car that has basically had this sub-sector all to itself, the popular choice Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, though potentially the Toyota RAV4 Prime coming later will also become another rival.

The face-off between the HS and Outlander in present formats will likely rage for all of 2021, because even though the current Outlander is set to be replaced this year, the version with a PHEV format is not arriving until 2022.

They seem sure to become intriguing rivals – for the past year the Outlander has had a 2.4-litre petrol engine, replacing the original’s 2.0-litre, and updated to a higher capacity battery. It sells for $52,490 in XLS and $58,990 in VRX – the latter having a spec level that the MG is set up to match.

MG’s drivetrain pairs a 119kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor for a combined output of 209kW and a 0-100kmh time of 6.9 seconds.

The MG has a claimed full electric range of 52kms – just 3kms short of the Outlander’s optimal - from its liquid-cooled 16.6kWh battery pack and is claimed to narrowly beat the Japanese offer on overall economy.

Thrift of 1.7 litres per 100km, calculated using the updated WLTP cycle, was quoted at today’s online link to a media conference held in Australia. Mitsubishi reckons Outlander will achieve 1.9L/100km. The HS CO2 count is 39 grams per kilometre.

The HS can be operated in full electric that mode until the battery exhausts; replenishment is by Type 2 plug, with a from-empty recharge on the 7kWh wallbox MG will also sell taking five hours, or fully overnight if plugged into a normal three pin socket.

Power is sent to the front wheels from both power sources through a newly developed 10-speed gearbox. This involves a six-speed orthodox automatic gearbox while the electric motor uses a four-speed drive unit. Outlander, of course, has a CVT. Unbraked towing is 750kg.

Equipment levels are high. The car takes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry and climate control, a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, leather upholstery, ambient lighting and LED headlights.

Safety features equipped as standard across the range include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning and blind-spot detection. The HS has already achieved a full five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

The HS PHEV is backed with an 8-year, 160,000-kilometre battery warranty and a 5-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty,

Speaking at the launch, Peter Ciao, MG Motor New Zealand’s chief executive said: “The new MG HS Plug-In Hybrid brilliantly showcases the intelligence and innovation we have available within our brand. It offers our customers the opportunity to experience new energy innovation, while remaining in the comfort of a true SUV that is equal parts stylish, sporty and spacious.

“The MG HS Plug-In Hybrid is our first plug-in hybrid, our second new energy vehicle, and one that we’re delighted to bring to our New Zealand customers as part of our commitment to making new energy vehicles mainstream in New Zealand.”

While MG has so far based its market presence around petrol cars, the corporate aim is to go increasingly electric.

Even so, MG also added two other HS editions, the Excite and Essence X, which respectively place at $39,990 and $45,990. These have all-wheel-drive.