MG will officially debut the second generation HS on July 11 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. The four-day event in Goodwood, West Sussex, has become a popular event for producers to showcase their latest cars. 2024 marks the centenary for the MG brand which has its origins in the UK. Along with the official teaser pictures which came out yesterday we have got hold of some undisguised spy shots.

It is very clear from the spy shots, as hinted by the teaser shots, just how much the new MG HS is based on the third-generation Roewe RX5 – D5X in PHEV form. Differences seem largely relegated to a new front and back along with traditional door handles. Both the MG and Roewe brands belong to SAIC.

At the front the second generation MG HS has a front similar to the second generation MG 3 supermini. A large grille and air intakes give the HS an aggressive look but the light clusters and hood look to be carried over from the RX5 without change. Seeing as the RX5 has concealed door handles it is quite surprising that the HS resorts to traditional pull handles and this might be a cost cutting exercise. The biggest difference at the rear seems to be the roof-mounted spoiler which is continuous on the HS rather than split on the RX5. In fact, the spoiler might be the same as on the Roewe D5X which also has a continuous spoiler.

An interior spy shot shows that inside the MG HS will be someway between the look of the D5X and the new MG 3. Although the steering wheel and air vents seem to be carried over from the supermini the continuous dual-screen setup is right out of the Roewe D5X and the gear selector is also very similar.

Although there are no dimensions yet for the second generation MG HS they are likely to be very similar to the third-generation Roewe RX5 which measures in at 4655, 1890 and 1664 (l/w/h) which a wheelbase of 2700 mm. It should be noted, though, that the heavily related Roewe D5X comes in at the slightly different 4700, 1890 and 1664 mm (l/w/h) and rides on a wheelbase of 2765 mm. However, given that the first generation HS has a length of 4574 mm and a wheelbase of 2720 mm we can expect the second generation to be a larger car.

Western media and Chinese media seem to be expecting different powertrains which could signify a difference between markets or simply that one of them is wrong! According to Western media at launch there will be a petrol powered version and a PHEV. The most likely petrol engine would be the 15FDE a 1.5T unit as used in the RX5 which provides power of 138 kW (188 hp) and maximum torque of 300 Nm. According to Auto Express, the PHEV version is likely to have an all-electric range of 70 miles. This means that it almost certainly uses SAIC’s fourth-generation DMH system as used by the D5X. It uses a 1.5 liter turbocharged hybrid 15FKE engine which has a maximum power of 110 kW. There is also a front-mounted electric motor with maximum power of 153 kW. As used by the Roewe D5X acceleration time for 0-100 km/h is 6.9 seconds and all-electric range is said to be 135 km CLTC with a combined range of 1,300 km.

Autohome claims a 113 km range for the PHEV version which probably means they just converted the 70 miles being said by British media! The difference between 113 and the 135 km claimed for the D5X is likely down to the latter being CLTC and the former WLTP along with slight differences in weight and aerodynamics. Where things get more interesting is that Autohome claims that the HS uses the same naturally aspirated 1.5 liter engine as the MG 3 with a maximum power of 143 kW and torque of 250 Nm! Car News China believes they are mistaken and have confused the powertrain with the hybrid (HEV) powertrain of the MG 3. It is believed that the HEV powertrain will be coming to the MG HS next year and it will likely be the combination of a 1.5 four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with a maximum power of 75kW and a thermal efficiency of up to 41% and a 100 kW electric motor for a combined power of 143 kW.

Sources: Autohome, Dongchedi, Auto Express