There may be nothing that’s as quick because the MG 4 XPower for a similar type of cash. The battery-electric scorching 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 making an attempt to make it extra enjoyable.
The Chinese language carmaker has set upon a journey that would 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.
“It is 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 – street situations,” says MG.
The model’s EV and equipment supervisor, Matt Kavanagh, stated: “Perceptions are troublesome issues to vary. In Australia, we’ve got at all times wished to do native tuning to enhance our MG vary, nevertheless, beforehand there wasn’t the correct product.
“Who’s the correct particular person within the firm? As a result of the product engineering workforce – are concerned in automobile dynamics, I believed, ‘okay, let’s be part of efforts and make this occur’. Now, we’ve received this proof of idea, we’ve received the know-how, let’s do it and get began.
“When you have a look at this automobile, the hassle the engineers in Shanghai put into it’s wonderful, they aren’t simply ideas, footage; it’s a properly balanced automobile that has been enhanced. We’re actually on the lookout for market suggestions on this one from media, sellers and clients of what may very well be for our model’s native tuning program.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation 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 completed a very good job? We snaffled the keys to this hotter homegrown MG 4 XPower to search out out.
How does the MG4 examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the MG4 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
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MG4
How a lot does the MG 4 value?
Costs appear to be recurrently altering within the MG vary, particularly with the MG 4, at the least for a restricted time.
| Mannequin | Drive-away value |
|---|---|
| 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 here are the extra parts in comparison with the usual automobile:
- H&R 30mm lowered springs
- König flow-formed 18×8.5-inch Ampliform wheels
- Customized physique equipment: 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 or not it’s made formally accessible.
You’d think about the wheels, physique equipment and suspension would value at the least $5000 additional, possibly even $10k – but when MG can get a program like this off the bottom, the package deal may very well be comparatively low cost given the economies of scale.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
What’s the MG 4 like on the within?
Aside from 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 might 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 slightly increased than some may discover splendid, and it isn’t a brilliant 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 seems a bit nicer than in base grades, too.
A criticism of the MG 4 has been that it feels slightly austere and never overly soulful inside, and in case you’ve learn any of our different opinions you’ll know that the controls for the media display are slightly bothersome, with buttons for some features however not others, and lots of menus hidden within the media display.
You get used to these controls, however different vehicles do it higher. Actually although, essentially the most annoying factor about it’s having to leap via screens every time you drive the automobile if you wish to disable among the overly pushy security options.
Apart from that, you get used to controlling virtually all the things via the display moderately quick, and on this occasion I discovered myself attending to phrases with the drive mode controls as properly. And sure, there’s a Launch Management setting in there, in addition to a devoted Monitor Mode that alters the traction management system and unleashes all the powertrain’s silent velocity.
There’s a rotary dial selector that’s basically the best way you begin the automobile, too. Sit within the seat, press the brake pedal, and it’d take a twist or two to start out the automobile (it gained’t transfer until you’ve received your seatbelt on).
Storage via the cabin is sweet, 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 after they’re folded. There’s no spare wheel, although – only a restore equipment.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
What’s beneath 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 supply, 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 nearly as good as one thing from Michelin or Pirelli, and I feel 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 in case you try to beat the acceleration declare.
Suffice to say, throughout my testing I noticed power 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 charge of 6.6kW utilizing a Kind 2 CCS plug, which means a charging time of roughly 9 hours on a house or workplace wallbox. In case you are aiming for quicker charging, there’s DC charging at a most charge of 140kW, which means a 10-80 per cent cost time of 28 minutes, based on MG.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
How does the MG 4 drive?
The XPower was already blisteringly quick in a straight line, however with the modifications made right here it additionally provides a bit extra fun-factor within the bends.
Don’t get me incorrect – they don’t make this a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N by way of enjoyable issue, however for about half the worth it makes a fairly convincing argument by way of thrills for the payments.
Sure, whenever you plant your foot it whiplashes your scone into the top restraint – even in Consolation mode. In Sport or Monitor, 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 – for my part – could be eradicated by a greater set of tyres. The Bridgestone Turanza rubber is first rate and little question extra reasonably priced than a set of Pirelli P Zero, Michelin Pilot Sport or Continental Contisport tyres, however I feel it may very well be an much more convincing automobile general with higher rubber beneath it.
It could probably even have a bit extra front-end chew with stickier tyres, though the best way this modified X Energy flows via corners is extra convincing than the usual model.
The steering hasn’t been retuned – the price range 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 comfy and properly resolved, and the brand new springs additionally assist iron out corners higher than the usual models, which already do a good job. After all, in addition they decrease the physique, serving to conceal the mass of the battery pack slightly higher.
In my thoughts, the chassis improve make a extra convincing case for the X Energy, which appears slightly gentle in customary kind, making it considerably of a fast-but-not-quite-fun-enough EV.
And there’s 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 whenever 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 automobile for single-pedal driving, which is nice for combined and concrete driving, however there’s not an ‘on-off’ change for a one-pedal mode like there’s within the Ioniq 5 N, which may decelerate at as much as 0.6g!
Yet another 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 may very well be nice. To me, it’s like doing the deed at nighttime: nonetheless superior, however not as involving an expertise.
What do you get?
Whilst you can’t purchase THIS spec of XPower but, right here’s a rundown of the usual tools throughout the MG 4 vary.
MG 4 Excite 51 tools 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
- Energetic 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 cellphone charger
- Artificial leather-based/fabric upholstery
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Peak-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 equipment – decrease bumper, aspect skirts, rear diffuser
- Flooring mats
To see how the MG 4 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
Is the MG 4 protected?
The MG 4 has been awarded the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking for Australia primarily based on 2022 checks carried out in Europe beneath 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 street person safety, and 81 per cent for security help.
Normal security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, bicycle owner and junction detection
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Entrance, rear seat belt reminders
- ISOFIX little one restraint anchorage factors (outer rear seats)
- Entrance, entrance aspect, full-length curtain airbags (6 in complete)
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 supplied an unprecedented and unbeaten 10-year, 250,000km new-car guarantee throughout its mannequin vary.
And the most effective 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.
Nonetheless, 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 supply, 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!).
Underneath that plan, the service charges are: $296, $962, $296, $962, $296, $962, $296 – for a complete of $4070. Which may appear a giant quantity, however over 14 years, it really works out to $290 each year.
Roadside help is included as properly, all through the guarantee interval. That’s proper, 10 years of roadside help, for free of charge.
To see how the MG 4 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument.
CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 4
There isn’t any doubt in my thoughts that if MG supplied 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 may value is one other factor…
Reps from MG Motor Australia have advised us they’re actively searching for suggestions from potential consumers, so you’ll want to have your say under within the feedback, and inform them whether or not you assume 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 the rest!
Considering shopping for an MG 4? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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