MG GS 2019 confirmed for Australia

MG Motor Australia has confirmed the HS medium SUV, recently revealed in China, will make it Down Under sometime next year badged as the second-generation GS.

While the HS was shown privately to Chinese journalists at a preview event, the vehicle will make its formal public debut at the Chendu motor show next month. 

The five-seater is a production version of the MG X-Motion Concept that was revealed at the Beijing motor show this year, but just how similar the road-going vehicle is to its spiritual predecessor is open for speculation.

At an MG dealer conference in Brisbane, MG parent company SAIC Motor Australia director Danny Lenartic confirmed the new SUV is set to arrive in Australia, likely in 2019. 

As right-hand drive (RHD) engineering was still in progress, Mr Lenartic was unable to specify RHD production timing, but he did explain that the China-built MG would likely come with the brand’s new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine from the current GS.

“The jury is still out on the 2.0-litre turbo they have shown over there,” he said. “I hope so, but I just can’t say.”

Launched in Australia  last year, the current GS iteration offers the choice of two four-cylinder petrol powerplants; a 119kW/250Nm 1.5-litre, and a 162kW/350Nm 2.0-litre unit.

As reported by Chinese publications, the 1.5-litre engine in the HS now delivers an extra 8kW up to 127kW, and the 2.0-litre has been warmed-up to the tune of 170kW/360Nm.

In 2.0-litre guise, the HS features a red 'SuperSport' button aside the steering wheel, which would suggest a more performance-oriented driver mode.

As with the current GS in Australia, the new-gen car will use a front-wheel drive system with the 1.5-litre, and an exclusive all-wheel drive variant for the 2.0-litre.

In terms of design, the GS will swap out the classically-styled MG nose and take on a more modern grille design, similar to its ZS stablemate.

On the inside, the vehicle is pictured with a fully digital instrument display which includes a 10.1-inch floating multimedia screen.

On the inside, the vehicle is pictured with a fully digital instrument display which includes a 10.1-inch floating multimedia screen.

Other interior features include leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, Bose sound system, and ambient lighting.

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