The MG 5 acquired one of many few zero-star scores ever issued by security authority ANCAP, however its maker is making modifications to keep away from a repeat efficiency.
MG is deploying a variety of fixes in 2024, each {hardware} and software program, as a part of a $4 million improve of the just lately launched small sedan.
Given the funding, it seems potential MG can have the automobile re-tested by ANCAP with the purpose of getting a greater rating.
The brand new options will probably be customary throughout the vary, however MG hasn’t confirmed whether or not there will probably be corresponding worth will increase.
It additionally hasn’t confirmed when throughout 2024 the up to date mannequin will launch.
Along with beforehand confirmed software program upgrades, MG plans so as to add seatbelt pre-tensioners, to permit assist firmly safe occupants within the occasion of a collision, and dynamic load tensioners that MG says will assist handle the drive exerted on seat belts throughout a collision.
MG can even add a “calf safety panel” to take a seat underneath the entrance bumper to minimise the extent of damage to pedestrians in a crash.
Software program upgrades will embody lane-keep help, lane departure warning, and clever velocity help.
Whereas the MG 5 already has autonomous emergency braking – the one energetic security characteristic it does have – this will probably be upgraded to a extra refined system that features pedestrian, bicycle owner, and motorcyclist detection and junction help.
The MG 5 can even get an occupant monitoring characteristic.
Not included within the upgrades, nevertheless, are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These aren’t out there on Chinese language-built MG 5 sedans, other than the restyled MG 5 Scorpio.
MG confirmed simply days earlier than the MG 5’s check outcome was printed by ANCAP that it was including security gear to the sedan, although it didn’t specify simply what would come on this choice pack.
The MG 5 is presently the one automobile in its phase in Australia to not provide adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep help or rear cross-traffic alert in any variant.
That led to a security help rating of simply 13 per cent from ANCAP. Nevertheless, the security authority additionally gave the MG 5 scores of simply 37 per cent for grownup occupant safety, in addition to 58 per cent for youngster occupant safety and 42 per cent for weak highway person safety.
ANCAP claims the MG 5 can be unable to realize a security ranking “any larger than zero stars” on account of its energetic collision avoidance efficiency, in addition to its bodily crash safety.
Whereas the MG 5 betters the cheaper MG 3 and ZS in providing customary AEB, it’s a far cry from even different MGs just like the ZST which provide a complete suite of energetic security and driver help expertise underneath the MG Pilot identify.
The shorter gear record might have helped MG preserve the sedan’s worth down, nevertheless.
The MG 5 is priced at $24,990 drive-away in base Vibe trim, making it Australia’s most cost-effective sedan – undercutting the smaller Mazda 2 G15 Pure, priced at $24,720 earlier than on-road prices.
The flagship Essence is priced at $28,990 drive-away. For context, the Kia Cerato begins at $27,890 drive-away.
In November, MG offered extra of its two-model MG 5 vary than Mazda did of its whole 3 line-up (758 gross sales vs. 654). It additionally got here near matching the Kia Cerato vary (782 gross sales).
Gross sales solely started in August, and already MG has offered 1888 examples, placing it narrowly behind the Subaru Impreza (1951 gross sales).
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