Made for Australia: New MG Super Hybrid PHEV system designed specifically for local driving conditions will debut within months
MG is promising a big step forward via plug-in hybrid technology developed specifically for Australia when the PHEV version of the HS medium SUV arrives in Australia later this year.
It’s so confident the new tech will deliver frugality and performance it’s been dubbed Super Hybrid.
While details are scarce at the moment, the advancement is based around software tuning that is not only Australia-specific but originally requested by MG Motors Australia management.
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MG is confident enough in the new technology to confirm it will also be added to the powertrain line-up of the new QS seven-seat SUV, which launches this year with an orthodox 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.
The new U9 ute will also add PHEV tech in 2026, although it’s not clear if that will be the Suepr Hybird system.
“They [MG in China] are always asking for feedback on different things,” MGMA chief commercial officer Giles Blecher told EV Central.
“And [MGMA CEO Peter Ciao] came up with this idea for a different technology and spoke to them and they were super-supportive.
“Almost instantly they started working on it.
“We have tested it here and sent back some feedback and they are just refining it as they go.
“The speed of what they can do and the resources they have is amazing, so that’s why we have it in such a short amount of time.”
Belcher was reticent to go into details about Super Hybrid, saying it “won’t be a traditional plug-in hybrid”.
In the UK the new-generation HS comes as the orthodox plugless Hybrid+ and as a PHEV that combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a front-mounted e-motor and a 24.7kWh battery pack.
Claimed combined outputs are 220kW/350Nm, a wholly ridiculous 0.8L/100km fuel consumption average, a 120km EV range and a 6.8 seconds 0-100km/h time.
But based on what Belcher’s saying, at least some parts of what Australia gets – at least the software – is different.
“Super-low fuel efficiency but with performance with it,” was how he summarised the benefits of the new system.
“We are developing software to drive the cars that will be unique to Australia.
“It’s still being developed so I can’t really tell you too much, but we looked at the size of Australia and the way people drive or think they want to drive and we think there are different ways that technology can be used to assist in that.
“So we are developing something unique that we think will be successful.”
The HS Super Hybrid will follow the HS Hybrid+ on-sale in Australia in the second half of 2025. The latest HS is currently only sold currently in Australia with an orthodox ICE powertrain.
The HS Hybrid+ and QS were among the six MG debuts on its Melbourne motor show stand over last weekend.
The others were the U9 ute, which was also a global debut, two IM Motors luxury models and the MG S5 compact electric SUV. Along with the MG7 sedan, all these models will be on-sale in Australia this year.
