EV Brief 6/4/21 EV Brief 6/4/21

Australian Electric vehicle range comparison - how do these 5 EVs stack up against their WLTP ratings?

Australian consumers are pretty familiar with fuel economy ratings, but things are a little less clear when it comes to the emerging EV market. The Chasing Cars team has shared a video comparing five of the most popular electric vehicles on the Australian market to their advertised WLTP range ratings.

Australian consumers are pretty familiar with fuel economy ratings, but things are a little less clear when it comes to the emerging EV market. There are three main standards used around the world; EPA, WLTP, and NEDC. You can find a bit more information regarding the different testing standards on our EV pricing page.

Overnight, the Chasing Cars team shared a video comparing five of the most popular electric vehicles on the Australian market against their advertised WLTP range ratings. The vehicles tested included the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor, Nissan’s Leaf, MG’s ZS EV, and Audi’s e-tron 55 quattro.

The judges established a set of test criteria to eliminate variables and maintain fairness; all vehicles would start the test from 100 percent charge, cruise control and energy recuperation would be activated, “eco” drive modes were enabled, and air conditioning was set to 24 degrees.

The Nissan Leaf was the first casualty, achieving 226km in the test. Image: Chasing Cars via YouTube

Highway roads outside Australia’s capital, Canberra were chosen for the test, with a combination of country roads and dual-carriageway highway, featuring speed limits between 90-110 km/h (56-62 mph). These roads are representative of the regular type of driving Australian motorists undertake, travelling between capital cities and regional centres.

The Nissan Leaf travelled 226 km (140 mi) against a WLTP rating of 270 km (168 mi), while MG’s ZS EV — the cheapest vehicle on the test — managed to achieve 191 km (119 mi against a rating of 263 km (163 mi).

The most expensive (and energy-hungry) vehicle on the test, Audi’s e-tron 55 quattro, claims a 436 km (271 mi) WLTP range, and managed to achieve 392 km (244 mi), while Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range achieved an impressive 508 km (316 mi) against a WLTP rating of 580 km (360 mi).

Hyundai’s Kona Electric and Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range proved the most impressive on the test. Image: Chasing Cars via YouTube

Perhaps the most surprising result was from Hyundai’s Kona Electric, beating its claimed 449 km (279 mi) WLTP range (just), and achieving 450 km. The Kona Electric has always been known for its impressive efficiency, and this result should give reassurance to Hyundai buyers (and those looking at the Kona’s sister vehicle, the Kia Niro Electric) that this crossover can comfortably come close to its range claims.

The Kona Electric has actually just received a mid-life update for 2021, and the WLTP combined range figure has been upped to 484 km (301 mi). The new Kona electric will join the EV Brief garage in July, and we look forward to bringing you a range test shortly after that.

Source: Chasing Cars

EV Brief 3/19/21 EV Brief 3/19/21

MG reveals next generation EVs; Marvel R Electric crossover set for May 2022 European launch [Updated]

MG Motor has pulled the covers off its Marvel R Electric SUV this week. Self-described by the company as “a high-tech, luxurious ‘lifestyle’ SUV for the C-segment”, the Marvel R Electric is essentially an export-version carbon copy of sister SAIC brand Roewe’s Marvel R.

MG Marvel R features tri-motor design, 400km WLTP range with vehicle-to-load technology

MG Marvel R Electric [updated]

[Update] Speaking with Tim Robson, PR and Communications Manager for MG Motor Australia EV Brief was told "We're excited to see what MG Motor Europe has shown with the Marvel R, and we reckon Australians would love its performance, technology and styling. However, it's not on the cards for Australia at the moment."

MG Motor has pulled the covers off its Marvel R Electric SUV this week. Self-described by the company as “a high-tech, luxurious ‘lifestyle’ SUV for the C-segment”, the Marvel R Electric is essentially an export-version carbon copy of sister SAIC brand Roewe’s Marvel R.

This “R” sub-brand was conceived to promote higher-end vehicles of a sportier design aesthetic, and these cars are marketed though a stand-alone dealer network in China.

The MG Marvel R Electric does indeed appear to be high-tech, with a tri-motor drivetrain (albeit with “only” 212 kW (288 PS). One can only assume that MG Motor has chosen a three motor setup—one of the front axel and two on the rear—so as to integrate smaller, more compact and efficient motor designs into its BEVs. The company has not provided a curb weight figure however.

The Marvel R Electric boasts a peak torque figure of 665 Nm, (490 lb ft) and a claimed 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.9 seconds. According to MG Motor’s press release, a rear-wheel-drive variant will also be available; presumably with a two-motor setup to accommodate a front trunk.

At 4,674 mm long with a 2,800mm wheelbase, 1,919 mm wide and 1,618 mm tall, The Marvel R Electric is slightly longer, and wider than Volkswagen’s ID.4 (4,585 mm long, 2,765 mm wheelbase, 1,852 mm width, 1,636 height)

The Marvel R Electric has a pleasingly contemporary appearance; one that is far removed from the traditional-yet-handsome ZS EV. Wide front and rear LED light strips—de rigueur these days it seems—dominate the design, and pleasing surface creases and aggressive vents give the Marvel R Electric some street appeal.

The interior is also a step up from the ZS EV, with soft touch materials across the doors and dashboard, metal-finish switchgear, a full LCD driver’s display measuring 12.3 inches and large vertically-mounted touchscreen of almost 20 inches—a la Tesla Model X and Mustang Mach-E—dominating the console.

MG Marvel R Electric provisional specifications

Tri-Motor 212 kW / 665 Nm*
All-Wheel Drive (Tri-motor)
>400 km WLTP range*
1.8 sec (0-50 km/h acceleration)*
4.9 sec (0-100 km/h acceleration)*
200 km/h (top speed)*
11 kW AC Charger (3-phase fast charging)
30 min to 80% battery level fast-charging capacity
750 kg towing capacity*
Digital cockpit with 19.4” floating screen
MG Pilot – advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
Climate control with heat pump
V2L 2,500W power supply for external usage

Battery technology

MG Motor claims a WLTP range of over 400 kilometres, and although battery specifications haven’t been provided, it’s safe to assume that the MG will share Roewe’s 69.9 kWh gross battery capacity. There’s also 11kW AC charging on board, and DC charging that can achieve 80% SoC in 30 minutes. MG hasn’t provided a DC charging rate, but from the above figure we can assume it will be around 100-120kW.

The MG Marvel R Electric is expected to launch in Europe from May 2021. We have contacted MG Motor Australia about possible availability, and will update with their response.

The SAIC Roewe Marvel-R, on which the MG Marvel R is based. Image: Forma car News

MG5 Electric Wagon

Also not to be missed, was MG’s announcement of a facelift for its MG5 electric station wagon (or estate, or touring depending on where you reside).

This update brings a fresher face to the current version’s plain styling. Don’t dismiss the MG5 purely on aesthetic grounds however. A practical, spacious wagon with 578l trunk space priced from £24,495 (after Plug In Car Grant) helped the brand to strong UK sales in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MG5 offers a similar 400 kilometre WLTP range to the Marvel R, and features a single drive motor with 135 kW (184 ps) and 280 Nm of torque. 11kW AC charging and high-speed DC charging are standard.

We can expect to see the MG5 Electric hitting the streets of Europe in October 2021.