MG Qs News

Fuel prices in Australia are soaring, meaning fuel efficiency in vehicles is a more important consideration than ever. Hybrid cars offer the potential for superior fuel efficiency compared to internal combustion power without the big price premium if fully electric or plug-in hybrid options. This makes them an increasingly attractive option for buyers given the current global climate. Hybrid sales are already booming in Australia, but will increases in fuel prices accelerate the shift away from pure internal combustion cars? NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said that while hybrid sales are increasing, an even swifter transition is less than clear. “If you’re driving a standard vehicle with a 55-litre tank, compared to what we were paying before the war began to now, it’s a $45 increase on one tank of petrol. That applies regardless of whether it’s hybrid or petrol,” Khoury said. “Historically speaking, looking at what happens after an oil shock, it certainly opens up their consideration. “No doubt that if this crisis continues and these prices hang around for weeks or months, Australians will look at those alternatives more seriously.” Below is a comparison between popular petrol and hybrid choices in each segment to see how they stack up in a changing fuel context. Fuel cost has been calculated using current data from the New South Wales’ government’s average fuel price for unleaded 95 petrol and diesel. Toyota’s Corolla hybrid hatch offers superior fuel efficiency and driving range compared to the Kia K4 petrol model. The Corolla is also cheaper to fill up with fuel thanks to its smaller tank and offers a substantially bigger driving range. The Kia Seltos is a petrol-only variant, but despite its bigger fuel tank, it has less driving range than the Toyota Corolla Cross, courtesy of the hybrid powertrain. The bigger fuel tank means the Seltos is also more expensive to fill up. The mid-size CX-5 has a non-turbo charged petrol engine, which sees it offer an impressive estimated driving range of more than 800km, but once again the Toyota competitor’s fuel efficiency wins out in the RAV4 hybrid. The Toyota Kluger continues the Japanese juggernaut’s fuel efficient theme, with a hybrid set-up offering a driving range of more than 1122km, which is significantly more than the MQ QS, despite both cars costing a similar amount to fill up at the bowser. Utes are some of the worst affected by the fuel price increase as many of them are powered using diesel engines, with diesel fuel rising more than petrol. It has now risen to well beyond the $2.60 mark per litre. The BYD Shark’s plug-in hybrid set-up uses petrol, which makes it an affordable option, given the price of diesel. It should be noted that the Shark 6’s fuel efficiency is significantly reduced when the battery is not charged. It’s a similar story for the GWM Cannon Alpha, which should be noted is no longer on sale, but remains one of limited plug-less hybrid utes in Australia. 

MG’s three-row QS has launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with the long-promised hybrid SUV taking one step closer to Australia.

MG has finally confirmed pricing for its first large SUV, the QS seven-seater.

MG might have only been a popular mainstream brand for a few years, but the bullish carmaker is intent on being a top-three brand in Australia quite soon.

Chinese carmaker MG unveiled its new flagship three-row family SUV at the Melbourne Motor Show last week as part of its plan to be a top three brand in Australia by the end of the decade.Lining up at 4983mm long, 1967mm wide and 1788mm tall, the seven-seat SUV will compete against well-established segment leaders in the Ford Everest, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger when it lands in showrooms by the middle of the year.With a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 153kW/360Nm to two or all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, the QS won’t trump its rivals on the headline figures, though it is poised to significantly undercut them on price.Positioned above the mid-sized HS, which starts at $33,990, drive-away, the QS is expected to start closer to the $45,000 mark, making it roughly $10,000 cheaper than its Ford, Hyundai and Toyota equivalents, all of which are priced before on-road costs.The three-grade QS line-up, consisting of the Vibe, Excite and Essence variants, will carry standard features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, dual 12.3-inch screens for multimedia, digital driver’s display functions and heated front seats.A range-topping Essence variant will carry larger 21-inch alloys, a premium 12-speaker Bose sound system, four-wheel drive with drive mode selection, memory seats and a large panoramic sunroof.An additional plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to join the range further down the track. It will downsize its engine to a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit, but add a 24.7kWh battery pack and a single electric motor. Power and torque outputs will subsequently rise to 220kW/350Nm.The QS was one of six new MG models, including the luxury IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV models, revealed at the Melbourne Motor Show last weekend.

MG has kicked off its massive new-model rollout in Australia, confirming it will rip the covers from some crucial fresh metal at this weekend’s Melbourne Motor Show.