MG has unveiled an all-new Plug-in Hybrid+ powertrain that will debut on the MG ZS in 2027, alongside plans to extend its SolidCore semi-solid-state battery to three new B-, C- and D-segment SUVs. The system, detailed at MG Tech Day at the automaker’s UK headquarters in London this week, pairs 1.1-liter and 1.5-liter turbocharged hybrid gasoline engines with a transmission combining Power Split and Motor Decoupling technologies. The MG ZS Plug-in Hybrid+ will be the first model to receive the new powertrain, which MG says delivers 0–62 mph acceleration in under six seconds and up to 90% electric-drive efficiency.
Highlights
- New 1.1-liter and 1.5-liter turbocharged hybrid engines reach thermal efficiencies above 42% and 43%, respectively, according to MG
- Plug-in Hybrid+ accelerates 0–62 mph in under six seconds and 50–75 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds, MG says
- Motor Decoupling technology cuts noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) by up to 5 decibels in EV mode compared with conventional plug-in hybrid systems, according to the company
- SolidCore Battery technology will extend to three new Plug-in Hybrid+ SUVs spanning the B, C and D segments
An Engine and Transmission Built for Hybrid Duty
MG’s new Plug-in Hybrid+ system pairs the two new hybrid-dedicated gasoline engines with a transmission built around two technologies: Power Split and Motor Decoupling. Power Split continuously distributes power between the engine and electric motors according to driving conditions, letting the powertrain avoid the fixed-ratio limits of a conventional transmission, MG says. Motor Decoupling adds a disconnect mechanism that isolates the generator during pure-electric driving, which the company says eliminates drag and improves electric-drive efficiency.
The system automatically shifts between electric drive at low speeds, power-split operation at medium speeds and direct engine drive at higher speeds. MG says this strategy keeps the engine above 40% thermal efficiency across roughly 90% of driving conditions while reaching up to 90% electric-drive efficiency.
Performance gains follow from the new hardware. MG reports 0–62 mph acceleration in under six seconds and 50–75 mph acceleration in as little as 3.5 seconds, along with a 72% improvement in hill-start capability from enhanced torque delivery. By eliminating generator idling in EV mode, Motor Decoupling technology is said to cut NVH by up to 5 decibels compared with conventional plug-in hybrids. The MG ZS Plug-in Hybrid+ will launch with the new powertrain in 2027.
SolidCore Battery Extends to Plug-in Hybrid+ Line
MG confirmed that its recently announced SolidCore Battery technology will extend to future Plug-in Hybrid+ models. The EV Report covered MG’s SolidCore Battery launch when the automaker unveiled the technology earlier this year. Built around a semi-solid-state architecture with a 3D spinel structure, the battery delivers higher energy conversion efficiency and faster power response than conventional liquid-electrolyte batteries, MG says. Optimized specifically for Plug-in Hybrid+ applications, it is designed to provide more consistent power delivery, improved range stability and steadier performance across speeds, driving scenarios and climates, according to the company.
By maintaining stable output across a wide range of operating conditions, MG says SolidCore Battery technology supports predictable, repeatable performance regardless of vehicle speed, driving scenario or ambient temperature — reducing the low-temperature and low-charge performance trade-offs traditionally associated with plug-in hybrids. The first Plug-in Hybrid+ models to receive SolidCore Battery technology will be three new SUVs spanning the B, C and D segments, MG said.
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