MG has yet to explain why the S5 EV it previously spruiked won’t be sold here …for now.

BOMBSHELL news for those hanging out for the all-new replacement for the electric car that fired up ‘new’ MG’s presence here five years ago - it’s not coming.

At least, not for now. The Sino-Brit make’s regional office in Melbourne is thought to be preparing to deliver a full statement in respect to what is keeping the S5 EV out of New Zealand; this coming along with potential clarification about a push into the luxury end of the market with a new sub-brand.

Initial comment from the make’s Auckland-based media relations spokesman today is simply that the S5 EV, which has been seen as a direct replacement for the ZS EV, “is not currently scheduled.”

That’s something of a u-turn on previous indications in respect to the car, but perhaps indicative of how cautious EV involvers are when the sector is still in a parlous state and much harder to negotiate than it was back in 2020, when ZS EV landed and instantly caused a ruction by under-pricing all competitors.

There are many more rivals now - not least from China, where MG now lives (though it keeps a token office in its old digs in Gaydon, the United Kingdom) - and EV interest is down in the dumps.

S5 EV is a new model, siting on the Modular Scalable Platform also underpinning the MG4, and is being promoted as rival to the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3 and BYD Atto 3.

So far only the UK and Europe are confirmed for the model, which they’ll see in SE Standard Range, SE Long Range and flagship EV Trophy Long Range, all single motor rear-drive.

The entry type has a 126kW motor feeding from a 49kWh battery using lithium-iron phosphate technology, while the others have a 64kWh battery using nickel, manganese and cobalt to provide greater range - between 464-480 kilometres against 340km - with power climbing to 172kW.

The ZS EV had 105kW feeding from a 44.5kWh lithium-ion battery with stated range of 262km.

The maximum speed from a public charging point is 120kW for the 49kWh battery and 139kW for the 64kWh battery. A 7kW AC charging speed means home charging from 10 to 100 percent will take eight-and-a-half hours.

S5 EV has more ground clearance than the MG4 and at 4476mm, with a 2730mm wheelbase, is slightly longer and taller than the ZS.

The styling largely borrows bits from other MG models and evolves design cues from some others, so the nose gets narrow daytime running lights that are reminiscent of the MG4 EV's but have a 'chequered flag' light signature. The wheels have aerodynamic covers and there's a spoiler above the rear window, plus a full-width light bar. Roof rails are standard.

The interior has a big touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. MG says it has worked on the touchscreen to try and make it more user-friendly. It has a faster processor, which is intended to reduce criticisms of lag, and though the graphics are being called ‘old school’, there’s positive feedback about a driver assistance customisation system that allows the driver to save their preference of which systems they want activated.

Specification-wise, every model is on alloy wheels and gets a reversing camera and navigation, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, keyless entry and two-zone climate control.

More MG news of the moment is that the brand has released information in China about another MG4, completely unrelated to the one we know.

This car is 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. It runs a single electric powertrain with 120kW, feeding off a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery of an unspecified capacity.

Also potentially relevant to NZ is that MG regional office intends to release a pair of high-end luxury-priced electric cars across the Tasman under a new sub-brand.

“IM’ is shorthand for ‘Intelligence in Motion’ and the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, will be marketed under the 'IM Presented by MG Motor' name.

They follow the MG Cyberster launched last year as the car maker's move into more expensive price territory, after finding its feet with cut-price hatchbacks and SUVs.

IM is a joint venture between SAIC Motor – the parent company of MG – and firms including Chinese tech giant Alibaba.