There may be nothing that’s as quick because the MG 4 XPower for a similar type of cash. The battery-electric sizzling hatch packs a 320kW, 600Nm twin-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, and dispatches the 0-100km/h dash in a claimed 3.8 seconds, but prices lower than $60,000 drive-away in most states.
So the flagship MG 4 is faster than a base Porsche 911 for lower than 1 / 4 of the worth. And now, MG Australia is attempting to make it extra enjoyable.
The Chinese language carmaker has set upon a journey that might result in its reply to Hyundai’s N efficiency sub-brand with this one-off instance of the XPower, which has been modified by the native division of MG in-house in a sort-of skunkworks construct.
“This can be a native undertaking pioneered by MG Motor Australia that tunes the steering, equipment and suspension of its fashions to swimsuit Australia’s distinctive – and infrequently difficult – highway situations,” says MG.
The model’s EV and equipment supervisor, Matt Kavanagh, mentioned: “Perceptions are troublesome issues to vary. In Australia, we’ve all the time needed to do native tuning to enrich our MG vary, nevertheless, beforehand there wasn’t the precise product.
“Who’s the precise particular person within the firm? As a result of the product engineering workforce – are concerned in automobile dynamics, I believed, ‘okay, let’s be a part of efforts and make this occur’. Now, we’ve bought this proof of idea, we’ve bought the know-how, let’s do it and get began.
“In case you take a look at this automotive, the trouble the engineers in Shanghai put into it’s wonderful, they aren’t simply ideas, footage; it’s a effectively balanced automotive that has been enhanced. We’re actually searching for market suggestions on this one from media, sellers and prospects of what might be for our model’s native tuning program.
WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the MG 4 XPower
“I hope that is the beginning of huge issues to come back with MG and tuning in Australia – it’s step one actually, the remainder is as much as the market.”
So has MG accomplished a great job? We snaffled the keys to this hotter homegrown MG 4 XPower to seek out out.
How does the MG4 examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the MG4 towards equally sized autos.
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MG4
How a lot does the MG 4 value?
Costs appear to be frequently altering within the MG vary, particularly with the MG 4, not less than for a restricted time.
| Mannequin | Drive-away worth |
|---|---|
| MG 4 Excite 51 | $32,990 (earlier than December 31, 2024) |
| MG 4 Excite 64 | $34,990 (earlier than December 31, 2024) |
| MG 4 Essence 64 | $46,990 |
| MG 4 Essence 77 | $52,990 |
| MG 4 XPower | $60,000 (approx.) |
However bear in mind, this explicit instance of the MG 4 XPower is a one-off, and which means you should buy one… but.
Listed below are the extra parts in comparison with the usual automotive:
- H&R 30mm lowered springs
- König flow-formed 18×8.5-inch Ampliform wheels
- Customized physique package: decrease bumper, aspect skirts, rear diffuser
- Flooring mats
Frustratingly, MG Australia was unable to supply any indication of what a package deal like this may cost a little, ought to it’s made formally accessible.
You’d think about the wheels, physique package and suspension would value not less than $5000 further, possibly even $10k – but when MG can get a program like this off the bottom, the package deal might be comparatively low-cost given the economies of scale.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.
What’s the MG 4 like on the within?
Other than ground mats, nothing has modified inside this amped-up XPower, and that’s maybe a little disappointing. This modification package deal focusses solely on the outside and chassis, and lots of consumers can also want extras like sportier entrance seats to glow-up the inside too.
That isn’t to say it’s disagreeable contained in the XPower, it’s simply that the electrical driver’s seat sits a little bit greater than some may discover perfect, and it isn’t an excellent supportive seat when issues get speedy within the esses. At the least you’re getting the goodness of Alcantara trim on the seats, and the cabin appears to be like a bit nicer than in base grades, too.
A criticism of the MG 4 has been that it feels a little bit austere and never overly soulful inside, and if you happen to’ve learn any of our different critiques you’ll know that the controls for the media display are a little bit bothersome, with buttons for some capabilities however not others, and lots of menus hidden within the media display.
You get used to these controls, however different automobiles do it higher. Truthfully although, essentially the most annoying factor about it’s having to leap by means of screens every time you drive the automotive if you wish to disable among the overly pushy security options.
In addition to that, you get used to controlling nearly all the pieces by means of the display fairly quick, and on this occasion I discovered myself attending to phrases with the drive mode controls as effectively. And sure, there’s a Launch Management setting in there, in addition to a devoted Observe Mode that alters the traction management system and unleashes the entire powertrain’s silent velocity.
There’s a rotary dial selector that’s basically the way in which you begin the automotive, too. Sit within the seat, press the brake pedal, and it would take a twist or two to begin the automotive (it gained’t transfer until you’ve bought your seatbelt on).
Storage by means of the cabin is nice, with bottle holders within the doorways and a stowage part between the entrance seats, and rear seat house is spectacular for adults and youngsters alike (with ISOFIX little one seat anchor factors within the window seats and three top-tethers, too).
Boot house is 363 litres with the rear seats up, increasing to 1165L once they’re folded. There’s no spare wheel, although – only a restore package.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.
What’s below the bonnet?
There are two electrical motors within the MG 4 XPower, with one for every axle leading to all-wheel drive. And their efficiency outputs are mind-blowing.
There may be as much as 320kW of energy on provide, with the entrance motor outputting 150kW/250Nm, and the rear churning out 170kW/350Nm. MG states a mixed steady output of 300kW/600Nm accessible, and claims a 0-100km/h time of simply 3.8 seconds.
There’s a single-speed transmission, so the facility is linear and instantaneous – although the Bridgestone Turanza tyres mightn’t be fairly pretty much as good as one thing from Michelin or Pirelli, and I believe you may even see a faster time with these mods and higher boots.
What about charging, then?
MG claims an electrical driving vary of 400km (WLTP) for the MG 4 XPower, with effectivity rated at 15.2kWh per 100km… however you gained’t see that if you happen to attempt to beat the acceleration declare.
Suffice to say, throughout my testing I noticed vitality consumption displayed at 20.3kWh throughout a mixture of driving.
The battery pack is a Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) unit with a 64kWh capability.
AC charging is a most price of 6.6kW utilizing a Sort 2 CCS plug, that means a charging time of roughly 9 hours on a house or workplace wallbox. In case you are aiming for quicker charging, there may be DC charging at a most price of 140kW, that means a 10-80 per cent cost time of 28 minutes, in accordance with MG.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.
How does the MG 4 drive?
The XPower was already blisteringly quick in a straight line, however with the adjustments made right here it additionally provides a bit extra fun-factor within the bends.
Don’t get me mistaken – they don’t make this a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N when it comes to enjoyable issue, however for about half the worth it makes a reasonably convincing argument when it comes to thrills for the payments.
Sure, once you plant your foot it whiplashes your scone into the top restraint – even in Consolation mode. In Sport or Observe, or utilizing Launch Management, it’s a dead-set chiropractor’s dream, with immense acceleration from a standing begin… in most conditions.
There may be some proof of tyre slippage in these hard-out moments, which – in my view – can be eradicated by a greater set of tyres. The Bridgestone Turanza rubber is first rate and little doubt extra reasonably priced than a set of Pirelli P Zero, Michelin Pilot Sport or Continental Contisport tyres, however I believe it might be an much more convincing automobile general with higher rubber beneath it.
It could seemingly even have a bit extra front-end chunk with stickier tyres, though the way in which this modified X Energy flows by means of corners is extra convincing than the usual model.
The steering hasn’t been retuned – the funds for this pilot program didn’t enable that – however there was a geometry change courtesy of the lowered suspension setup, and the lighter wheels additionally decrease unsprung weight, including to a extra dynamic really feel.
The suspension feels a bit firmer however nonetheless snug and effectively resolved, and the brand new springs additionally assist iron out corners higher than the usual items, which already do an honest job. In fact, in addition they decrease the physique, serving to conceal the mass of the battery pack a little bit higher.
In my thoughts, the chassis improve make a extra convincing case for the X Energy, which appears a little bit delicate in customary type, making it considerably of a fast-but-not-quite-fun-enough EV.
And there may be nonetheless room for enchancment on this automobile. The brakes – which incorporate regen braking – aren’t as robust or exact as you may want them to be once you’re hurtling in direction of a nook and don’t get the response you’re hoping for from the pedal, which has an ethereal really feel to it.
You’ll be able to configure the automotive for single-pedal driving, which is nice for combined and concrete driving, however there’s not an ‘on-off’ swap for a one-pedal mode like there may be within the Ioniq 5 N, which might decelerate at as much as 0.6g!
Yet one more factor. The sound. There isn’t any, other than the occasional squirming tyre squawk, tyre noise as speeds rise, and the fixed e-motor whine. It wants a bit extra theatre, I reckon. It could be quick and extra enjoyable in corners than it was, however with some audible trickery it might be nice. To me, it’s like doing the deed in the dead of night: nonetheless superior, however not as involving an expertise.
What do you get?
When you can’t purchase THIS spec of XPower but, right here’s a rundown of the usual gear throughout the MG 4 vary.
MG 4 Excite 51 gear highlights:
- WLTP vary – 350km
- 0-100km/h – 7.7 seconds
- One-pedal driving performance
- 4-mode regenerative braking
- 5-link impartial rear suspension
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Keyless entry
- Automated idle cease/begin
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 4-speaker sound system
- Black material upholstery
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Automated high-beam
- Electrical aspect mirrors with heating performance
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- MG Pilot
- iSmart Lite connectivity
MG 4 Excite 64 provides:
- WLTP vary – 450km
- 0-100km/h – 7.2 seconds
- Lively grille shutters
- 66kWh battery pack
Essence 64 provides:
- WLTP vary – 435km
- 0-100km/h – 7.2 seconds
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black roof
- Rear mild bar
- iSmart connectivity
- Six-speaker sound system
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- Artificial leather-based/fabric upholstery
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Top-adjustable load ground
- EV journey planner
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 360-degree view digicam
- Two-tone roof
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Lengthy Vary 77 provides:
- WLTP vary – 530km
- 0-100km/h – 6.5 seconds
- 77kWh battery pack
MG 4 XPower provides:
- 64kWh battery pack
- Orange brake caliper covers
- Black roof
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Polished trim accents
- Alcantara inside trim
MG 4 XPower modified provides:
- H&R 30mm Lowered Springs
- König flow-formed 18×8.5-inch Ampliform wheels
- Customized physique package – decrease bumper, aspect skirts, rear diffuser
- Flooring mats
To see how the MG 4 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.
Is the MG 4 protected?
The MG 4 has been awarded the utmost five-star ANCAP security score for Australia primarily based on 2022 assessments carried out in Europe below Euro NCAP standards.
In that testing it scored 83 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 86 per cent for little one occupant safety, 75 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 81 per cent for security help.
Normal security gear consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, bicycle owner and junction detection
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Entrance, rear seat belt reminders
- ISOFIX little one restraint anchorage factors (outer rear seats)
- Entrance, entrance aspect, full-length curtain airbags (6 in whole)
MG 4 Essence, Lengthy Vary and X Energy add:
- Encompass-view digicam
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic help
How a lot does the MG 4 value to run?
The Chinese language model just lately provided an unprecedented and unbeaten 10-year, 250,000km new-car guarantee throughout its mannequin vary.
And one of the best information for battery longevity sceptics is that it applies to the high-voltage battery pack, too. That’s proper – whereas most different manufacturers solely again their batteries for eight years/160,000km (and a few even lower than that), MG is backing its tech and providing the decade-long guarantee on its EV batteries.
Nevertheless, observe that the 10-year, 250,000km guarantee applies solely to non-public consumers, or ‘non-commercial use’, whereas business consumers get a seven-year, 160,000km guarantee.
There may be additionally a staggering aftersales service provide, with intervals set at 24 months/40,000km, and a capped-price servicing plan operating out previous the ultra-long guarantee to 280,000km (or 14 years!).
Below that plan, the service charges are: $296, $962, $296, $962, $296, $962, $296 – for a complete of $4070. That may appear a giant quantity, however over 14 years, it really works out to $290 each year.
Roadside help is included as effectively, during the guarantee interval. That’s proper, 10 years of roadside help, for gratis.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device.
CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 4
There is no such thing as a doubt in my thoughts that if MG provided a model of the X Energy that seemed and drove like this, many Aussies consumers would have an interest. How a lot it ought to or might value is one other factor…
Reps from MG Motor Australia have instructed us they’re actively in search of suggestions from potential consumers, so you’ll want to have your say under within the feedback, and inform them whether or not you suppose these beauty and chassis upgrades needs to be customary for the XPower, if they need to be a part of an possibility pack, if components of them needs to be accessible throughout different MG 4 variants… or anything!
Concerned with shopping for an MG 4? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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