MG Teases Small ZS SUV Ahead Of Guangzhou Auto Show Debut

Set to debut this weekend at the 2016 Guangzhou Auto Show, this small sporty-looking SUV from MG is said to rival the likes of Nissan’s Juke, but also cheaper alternatives such as Ssangyong’s Tivoli.

Comparing the teaser with a few earlier spy shots that appeared on China’s Auto Sina, reveal an imposing front grille and large headlights with a sort of Discovery Sport-like daytime running light pattern.

According to Autocar, the ZS features a joint-venture design (studios from both China and the UK), meant to reflect a more upmarket appearance in relation to the larger GS model.

While the car will go on sale in China as the ZS and only reach UK shores in 2019, MG’s head of sales & marketing Matthew Cheyne said that the name will be changed in time for its UK launch. The car is also said to be powered by a 1.5-liter turbo engine, which could be producing the same 164 BHP and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque it does in the GS model.

The ZS however will also get a smaller 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, which Cheyne already confirmed will be one of the engines available first in China – though couldn’t comment on whether it will make it into UK-bound models as well. A separate report, also from Carnewschina, points to the 1.0-liter unit packing 120 HP, whereas the 1.5-liter one would feature just 130 HP – which is of course to be taken with a grain of salt.

Inside, spy shots of the MG ZS show a pair of somewhat sporty front seats, an automatic transmission and a large touchscreen display in the middle of the dash.

As for pricing, it’s currently speculated to cost from around 80,000 ($11,600) to 120,000 yuan ($17,500) in China.

Thanks to Tony for the tip!