The MG5, which was launched earlier this month, has been attacked by a rival carmaker in unprecedented trend, not less than in Malaysia. The rival, which sells a sedan in the identical value bracket because the MG5 (RM86,900 with intro supply), has launched materials that explicitly names the brand new entrant, and the chosen space of assault is security.
In its official social media posts, the OEM factors out its personal security credentials whereas urging shoppers to not settle for something much less. This places the highlight on the MG5’s unflattering zero-star ranking within the Australasian New Automobile Evaluation Program (ANCAP).
Right here’s the context. Crash examined final 12 months by ANCAP, the MG5 scored 37% in Grownup Occupant Safety and 13% in Security Help, making it ineligible for any greater than zero stars. The finances sedan (begins from the equal of RM72,199 in Australia) scored excessive sufficient for less than two stars in Weak Highway Person Safety (42%) and Youngster Occupant Safety (58%).
SAIC Motor Malaysia has not reacted to the ‘warmth’ on social media, however we now have a response. Based on head of selling Phang Rick Kee, the MG5 bought in Malaysia will not be of the identical spec because the automotive examined by ANCAP.
He defined that the Australian-market MG5 is a base mannequin that’s CBU imported from China, and the automotive examined by ANCAP was not outfitted with pre-tensioner seatbelts. Malaysia will get the MG5 from Thailand, and the vehicles are specified with pre-tensioner seatbelts. Additionally on our automotive are six airbags and the MG Pilot suite that features blind spot monitoring, rear cross visitors alert, lane change help and rear collision warning. No AEB, although.
The aim of the pre-tensioner is to make sure that the seatbelts match tightly in opposition to the occupant’s physique in a crash. With no ‘slack’, one will get the utmost safety advantage of the entrance airbags and it additionally helps forestall the physique from ‘submarining’, which is sliding away, underneath the seatbelt. As you may think about, this can be a very important function.
Certainly, in December 2023, MG Motor Australia introduced a collection of security modifications designed to enhance the MG5’s crash-test efficiency. The record consists of seatbelt pre-tensioners on all 5 seats plus dynamic load tensioners (seatbelt pre-tensioners have been solely on the entrance seats, and just for the highest variant), lane-keep help, visitors signal recognition and a extra superior AEB system.
It stays to be seen if the MG5 can be crash examined once more by ANCAP, or if its native handlers will ship the sedan to ASEAN NCAP. What’s extra sure is that shifting ahead, SAIC Motor could be chasing for a excessive ranking to place to mattress any doubts on the crashworthiness of its vehicles.
Sized like a Civic, the boldly-styled MG5 has a default B-segment powertrain (114 PS/150 Nm 1.5L NA with CVT) and pricing that undercuts the best variants of the Honda Metropolis and Toyota Vios. The CBU Thai import is has a RRP of RM93,900 on-the-road earlier than insurance coverage, however an intro supply pulls the value right down to RM86,900. Package which might be distinctive to the B-segment embrace a powered sunroof and six-way powered driver’s seat. Our full launch report right here.
GALLERY: MG5 Malaysia launch
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