Cheaper 2022 MG HS Plus EV Vibe plug-in hybrid due in Australia in January

The 2022 MG HS Plus EV plug-in hybrid range will expand next month with the addition of a new entry-level Vibe variant.

Quietly announced as part of a broader sponsorship deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team, the new Vibe variant of the HS Plus EV – formerly the HS PHEV – will offer MG SUV buyers a cheaper ticket of entry into the plug-in MG HS range, slotting below the current Essence, priced from $47,990 drive-away.

Full specifications for the new Vibe variant will be confirmed in the coming weeks, though using Vibe and Essence variants of the 1.5-litre petrol HS range as a guide, the entry-level Plus EV could lose features including LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation, a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, and sports seats and pedals.

What the Vibe won't compromise on is safety, with a full suite of 'MG Pilot' active safety technologies to be offered with the new base model, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sigh recognition, and auto high beam.

Prices are also unconfirmed, though the $8000 difference between petrol Vibe ($30,990 drive-away) and Essence ($38,990 drive-away) would see the HS Plus EV Vibe fall to $39,990 drive-away – some $1300 less than the $41,296 drive-away of the most affordable 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (GX 2WD, using a Perth postcode).

The MG HS Plus EV Essence's mechanicals would be retained, pairing a 119kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor for combined outputs of 189kW and 370Nm, good for a 6.9-second 0-100km/h time.

A liquid-cooled 16.6kWh battery would enable up to 52km of electric driving (according to Europe's WLTP test cycle), with a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 1.7 litres per 100 kilometres. A 7kW home wallbox would allow for a full recharge in five hours.

The 2022 MG HS Plus EV Vibe will arrive in Australia next month. Stay tuned to Drive for more news within the coming weeks.

"MG will launch the HS Plus EV Vibe variant in January 2022 at this stage. We’ll confirm pricing and final specs soon, but we can confirm it will have exactly the same 189kW/370Nm dual-motor powertrain and MG Pilot safety suite as the HS Plus EV Essence," a MG Motor Australia spokesperson told Drive.