MG ZS EV 2021 new features

[WJRH]

Take a look at for updated features on the ZS for 2021 in India, increased range 419km (260 mile) and app. As India use right hand drive cars, why can't these come to the UK now?

 

[stryker]

why can't these come to the UK now

...& Aus

I like the extra ground clearance too - that will be useful for us

 

[Mark Holmes]

I don’t understand the extra range from the same sized battery.....!! Will our new UK version; when it comes be the same....what is happening to this alleged face lift version and why did India get it. So many questions???

 

[Cocijo]

Yes - it doesn’t make sense if the battery capacity stays the same. I can’t see any innovations in other areas getting that sort of additional range. It’s a big jump. I think they’ve used a different way of calculating range. I hope that I’m wrong.

 

[ARealHuman]

I think elsewhere on this forum there's an explanation about the range figures, they don't use the WLTP method. Also, as I undertsand it, improved production methods can improve the efficency of the current battery (I guess the comparison might be with blueprinitng engines).

 

[Cocijo]

yes - I recall the discussion. Did we not conclude that a kwh is a kwh and the efficiency is down to how it’s used? Can 2 batteries both with the same kwh produce different ranges?

 

[Kithmo]

Unless the ZS was highly inefficient to start with, I don't see how you can get more miles out of the same capacity in the same car.
The only improvement in battery technology AFAIK is weight for the same capacity, making it possible to physically fit a larger capacity battery in the same space.
I don't think fitting a physically smaller 44.5 kWh battery, weighing less, would make such a big difference to the range in the ZS if that's the case.

 

[JodyS21]

It was down to them now using a different test for the range - so it's basically pure marketing drivel.

The previous and new test in India isn't the WLTP test btw, I can't remember what the tests were called, it's somewhere else where it was discussed and someone from India enlightened us.

 

[stryker]

Can 2 batteries both with the same kwh produce different ranges?

It's quite possible without changing any hardware. Thru firmware updates alone our SR+ has greater range through improved battery management and regenerative braking than it did when first delivered

 

[Cocijo]

It's quite possible without changing any hardware. Thru firmware updates alone our SR+ has greater range through improved battery management and regenerative braking than it did when first delivered

Yes I’m sure it does show more miles, but the point is 2 batteries with the same capacity will not provide different levels of range unless the associated components are different. A 40kwh battery is a 40kwh battery - that’s what you get - you can improve how well you use it, which is what you allude to - e.g. software changes, config, weight, aerodynamics etc.

 

[stryker]

Yes I’m sure it does show more miles,

2 batteries with the same capacity will not provide different levels of range

Can, and do. Our 2019 SR+ actually drives completely differently to when first delivered, it used to regen brake down to around 30km/hr but now can be one pedal driven & has more aggressive regen as an example. The available window of battery capacity has moved also, so there's less unavailable above indicated 100% and below 0% state of charge. And it's all been through software updates. The way motors and batteries are managed can and does make a difference to delivered not just indicated range.

I can't speak for what MG has done, but it's not impossible.

 

[Cocijo]

Can, and do. Our 2019 SR+ actually drives completely differently to when first delivered, it used to regen brake down to around 30km/hr but now can be one pedal driven & has more aggressive regen as an example. The available window of battery capacity has moved also, so there's less unavailable above indicated 100% and below 0% state of charge. And it's all been through software updates. The way motors and batteries are managed can and does make a difference to delivered not just indicated range.

I can't speak for what MG has done, but it's not impossible.

I also run a tesla. The one pedal OTA update was sent out over 12 Months ago (i felt that it transformed driving) to my car followed by several updates some targeting increased range - so I’m fully aware of what can be achieved with software changes. Tesla constantly look to improve efficiencies. I think that the suggested increase in range is around 15 miles? tesla as you know have a different way of calculating the displayed predicted range.
I am not saying range cannot be improved using the same capacity battery - I’m saying that having a ‘better’ battery with the same capacity on its own will make no difference to the range.
On the face of it the MG update gets +100 miles using the same size battery - I think that we’ve established that they are not measuring this in the same way as before. I’m pretty sure that the new MG will deliver more range by improving efficiencies, but how much real world range that will be is difficult to tell.

 

[JodyS21]

I also run a tesla. The one pedal OTA update was sent out over 12 Months ago (i felt that it transformed driving) to my car followed by several updates some targeting increased range - so I’m fully aware of what can be achieved with software changes. Tesla constantly look to improve efficiencies. I think that the suggested increase in range is around 15 miles? tesla as you know have a different way of calculating the displayed predicted range.
I am not saying range cannot be improved using the same capacity battery - I’m saying that having a ‘better’ battery with the same capacity on its own will make no difference to the range.
On the face of it the MG update gets +100 miles using the same size battery - I think that we’ve established that they are not measuring this in the same way as before. I’m pretty sure that the new MG will deliver more range by improving efficiencies, but how much real world range that will be is difficult to tell.

Correct Cocijo, a "better" battery is irrelevant if the kWh capacity is the same.
All that can be altered regarding the battery capacity software wise is how much of that rated capacity they let you use.

Software updates could well alter regen, as in when it kicks it etc, it won't alter what is possible to get out of the hardware. They could alter for instance the maximum amount of amps they allow it to generate and put into the battery.

In theory, they could alter say acceleration performance via the software, by allowing a higher amount of amps to be pulled from the battery - if the motor etc isn't already at it's maximum performance.

None of this though as we've said before can alter the actual full rated kWh capacity of the battery.

 

[Kithmo]

It's quite possible without changing any hardware. Thru firmware updates alone our SR+ has greater range through improved battery management and regenerative braking than it did when first delivered

There's improved and there's greater, but c'mon 100 extra miles on a 44 kW pack by adjusting software, I wouldn't think so ?

 

[DriverInNorway]

The efficiency of the electric motors could make a big difference. The rate of consumption might also be configurable by software for the same motors. They may have made settings in software that extend the life of the electric motors at the cost of reduced efficiency. For the Indian market this might have been lifted as they dont expect the cars to survive a 'full lifespan' in India due to other conditions.

 

[PleasureMachine]

Can anyone say if the this Indian updated "longer range" 2021 version cost the same as the previous EV version?

Or if the testing of the increased range was more relaxed hence further distance under ideal condition rather than Real World Conditions?

In Australia we currently have the ZS EV that does 260km on the 44.5 battery. I had just stumbled on the model via the India site which has stated claim of 419km on what appears to be the same battery (though it is "Hi-Tech Battery").

The current version range isn't ideal for me, but workable to get into the EV market due to lack of other options at that price (currently AUD$44k-ish)

 

[Elec Car Aust]

Can anyone say if the this Indian updated "longer range" 2021 version cost the same as the previous EV version?

Or if the testing of the increased range was more relaxed hence further distance under ideal condition rather than Real World Conditions?

In Australia we currently have the ZS EV that does 260km on the 44.5 battery. I had just stumbled on the model via the India site which has stated claim of 419km on what appears to be the same battery (though it is "Hi-Tech Battery").

The current version range isn't ideal for me, but workable to get into the EV market due to lack of other options at that price (currently AUD$44k-ish)

Hi PM, sorry can't help with your question but can attest to the 'workable' nature of the 260 klms range in Australia. We've been able to make it work on all trips, with some planning on ABRP & PlugShare Apps, since purchasing in Nov 2020.

 

[Tim Green]

If the battery remains the same, then any increase in range must be down to increased efficiency in the motor and control electronics, including the regen system. They may have produced a better motor, and as the ZS has a cooling system for the motor and electronics there is obviously significant wastage.
However, getting a 100 mile improvement ( say 60%) would be extraordinary but maybe not impossible?

 

[PleasureMachine]

However, getting a 100 mile improvement ( say 60%) would be extraordinary but maybe not impossible?

Hi @Tim Green

See @JodyS21 comment below.....It's surely differing testing regime. Maybe heat pump HVAC system? I don't know. I still thought this 2021 indian model was the same as the one we have here in Australia currently. (Still unsure tbh as I still haven't had a definitive answer as yet).

It was down to them now using a different test for the range - so it's basically pure marketing drivel.

The previous and new test in India isn't the WLTP test btw, I can't remember what the tests were called, it's somewhere else where it was discussed and someone from India enlightened us.

I've taken time to dig a little deeper and downloaded the brochure from the Indian site and finally found the following sub-note relating to the range – *The range figure is based of ICAT certification in test conditions.

ICAT appears to be International Centre of Automotive Technology (ICAT), in India. A simple search doesn't seem to compare the differences between NEDC vs WLTP vs ICAT.

It appears the 263km stated on the Aussie website is WLTP which was nice to know they were marketing based on real world conditions rather than optimal conditions to bump the theoretical range of the car

From Aussie website - *The MG ZS EV has a range of 263 km on the WLTP Combined cycle from a single charge and a range of 372 km on the City Driving Cycle from a single charge.

So unsure how these testing specs compare – though a 156km difference is quite a jump.

 

[Lovemyev]

There is rumoured to be a ZS EV face lifted model with a larger HV pack coming to the market in 2022.
Nothing confirmed as of yet, but the the rumours are quite strong.
People are guesting it will be around 64 kw to match the Kona & the e.Niro ?????.