MG Quietly Drops 1.5-Litre Naturally Aspirated Engine From ZS and MG3 Lineups

MG has confirmed to CarSauce that the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine has been discontinued across both the MG ZS and MG3 ranges in Australia.

Previously paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder produced 81kW and 140Nm.

Runout offers remain available on both models, but once current stock is sold, the engine will no longer be offered.

This change marks a major shift for the MG3, which is now hybrid-only. The entry-level Vibe trim has been discontinued, making the Excite Hybrid the new base variant, priced from $26,990 drive-away. Previously, the MG3 range started at $21,522 for the 1.5-litre Vibe - meaning the entry cost has risen by more than $5,000.

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Power for the MG3 Hybrid+ comes from a system with a combined output of 158kW and 465Nm, featuring a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 75kW and 128Nm, paired with an electric motor producing 100kW and 250Nm. The hybrid system uses a 1.83kWh battery and a three-speed transmission.

CarSauce has reached out to MG to clarify whether the turbo 1.5L engine - currently available in the ZS - will be offered for the MG3. That engine - producing 125kW and 275Nm - was recently expanded across the ZS range for 2026, as detailed in CarSauce’s earlier report.

More broadly, the 2026 ZS update included recalibrated software for smoother hybrid performance, improved ergonomics, and the introduction of the 1.5-litre turbo to the base Vibe grade for the first time.

With the 1.5 NA engine now phased out, the ZS range consists entirely of turbo-petrol and hybrid powertrains.

Both the outgoing MG3 and ZS 1.5 NA variants remain covered by MG’s 10-year warranty when serviced through authorised dealers.