MG S5 EV previewed in Malaysia – RWD Proton eMas 7, BYD Atto 3 rival, up to 430 km range, fr RM115k est

Spotted in Malaysia earlier this week, the MG S5 has now been previewed ahead of its launch. The electric C-segment SUV replaces the underwhelming ZS EV and takes the fight to the Proton eMas 7 and BYD Atto 3. Estimated pricing is listed at RM115,000, but if recent experience is to go by expect the final figure to be a little lower, with a launch discount thrown on top of that.

Measuring 4,476 mm long, 1,849 mm wide and 1,621 mm tall, the S5 is 153 mm longer, 40 mm wider and four millimetres lower than the ZS EV, while its 2,730 mm wheelbase is 149 mm longer. Next to the eMas 7, the MG is 139 mm shorter, 52 mm narrower and 49 mm lower and has a 20 mm shorter wheelbase; it’s also slightly larger than the Atto 3.

The S5 is powered by a single rear motor that produces 170 PS (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque, with MG Motor Malaysia claiming it can get from zero to 100 km/h in as low as eight seconds flat. This is juiced by a 49 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a WLTP-rated range of 340 km. The car accepts up to 120 kW of DC fast charging – topping up the battery from 10 to 80% charge in 24 minutes – but only 6.6 kW of AC charging.

Long-range models gain a 62.2 kWh LFP battery that increases the range to 430 km. A jump in maximum DC fast charging input to 150 kW enables the pack to be topped up from 10 to 80% charge in 26 minutes, despite its larger capacity.

Aside from a shift from front- to rear-wheel drive, the S5 also benefits from five-link independent rear suspension, replacing the ZS EV’s torsion beam setup. The car also possesses a turning circle of just 4.99 metres and XDS torque vectoring by braking.

The S5 is a far more striking vehicle to look at compared to its predecessor, with a sharp front end that features split LED headlights – the upper “eyebrows” incorporating chequered flag-inspired daytime running lights – and a split centre air intake with an active shutter. The rear end, meanwhile, sports full-width taillights with distinctive T-shaped corners. In Malaysia, the base 18-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard.

Inside, the S5 takes after the MG4 hatch with similar joystick-like controls for the three-spoke oblong steering wheel (the MG4 uses a two-spoke tiller), a layered dashboard dashboard, a freestanding 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen and a tall centre console with a rotary gear selector. Unique to this car is a row of physical buttons and knobs for the climate control and volume, sitting between the touchscreen and centre air vents – this is not found in the Chinese-market ES5.

Other features include a 10.25-inch instrument display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Qi wireless charger, powered leather-and-fabric seats with unique “MG” perforation, a panoramic glass sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, a powered tailgate and a 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) function.

The S5 is claimed to have a class-leading 1,026 mm of headroom at the front and 997 mm at the rear, along with a 453 litres of space. You can also fold down the rear seats to expand the total luggage room to 1,441 litres. No front boot, unfortunately.

Safety-wise, the S5 comes with a full complement of driver assists such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, traffic sign recognition and auto high beam. Available colours include Arctic White, Monument Silver, Camden Grey, Dynamic Red and a new Elegant Latte.

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