Chinese-owned British brand adds a second SUV sitting below the GS model with class-beating prices.
To capitalise on the burgeoning SUV trend, MG Cars Thailand has added another model to its local lineup of cars.
Designed as a smaller crossover sitting below the GS, the ZS is being pitched at the lower end of the Thai B-segment SUV market with prices starting from 679,000 baht.
Power for the Thai-spec ZS is via 114hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to four-speed automatic gearbox.
Elsewhere around the world, the ZS is also being offered with newer motors featuring direct-injection and turbocharging technologies. They include 125hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 170hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder units. The transmission is also more modern: six-speed torque-converter or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Sources say the decision to offer the non-turbo 1.5-litre in Thai showrooms is to help bring down the ZS’s prices as much as possible so that it can have an outright selling point over rivals, which all have stronger brand credentials in the country.
Previously, the Ford Ecosport had the lowest retail price of 709,000 baht when its 1.5-litre non-turbo engine is specced with an automatic gearbox.
Two other things the Thai MG office is touting in the ZS is voice recognition in Thai language and 4-year/120,000km warranty. There are three grades including C at 679,000 baht, D at 729,000 baht and X at 789,000 baht.
