You most likely know the MG model for its budget-priced vehicles and SUVs, however it’s about to drop a worldwide game-changer later this 12 months and it’s known as the MG 4 XPower.

That’s to not say the present crop of MGs are in any means much less good-looking or missing options of similarly-priced rivals supply, as a result of even the dirt-cheap MG 3 hatch and newest iteration of its HS SUV look respectively respectable on highway with loads of gross sales quantity in addition.

However MG Motor, which is owned by the massive SAIC Motor Company of China, has considerably larger aspirations for this storied British marque, which again within the day was a giant factor in sports activities vehicles – remembering MG is a model that celebrates 100 years in 2023.

And, simply to provide you some scale on the world stage, it’s the seventh-largest automotive producer on the earth (right here and now) and the biggest in China. It’s additionally a Fortune International 100 firm, ranked sixtieth, and has some long-held joint ventures with Volkswagen and Common Motors in SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC-GM, respectively.

It’s a significantly giant automotive conglomerate with vital assets, truckloads of technological knowhow and a producer  that at present builds greater than 5.3 million vehicles a 12 months. It’s additionally a comparatively fast-moving organisation that appears intent on shaking up the worldwide automotive market if our week in Shanghai is something to go by.

Take the fashionable MG 4 all-electric hatch, which has already launched in key markets just like the UK and the higher European continent to a lot applause by media and new-car consumers alike.

It’s attributable to hit MG showrooms in Australia from the third quarter of this 12 months, with 1000’s of deposits already held throughout 4 totally different variants, three totally different battery capacities, but nonetheless universally inexpensive with pricing set from $38,990 for the baseline MG 4 Excite – making it one among Australia’s least expensive electrical autos.

Not like MG’s present vary of autos offered right here that are constructed utilizing combustion-engined architectures, the MG 4 makes use of MG’s devoted EV platform known as ‘Modular Scalable Platform’, which options rear-wheel drive and an ideal 50:50 weight distribution.

For sure, the MG 4 XPower is totally different. It’s a dual-motor, all-wheel drive EV rocket ship producing 320kW and a stonking 600Nm. It’s able to blitzing the 0-100km/h dash in a supercar-nudging 3.8 seconds due to a devoted launch management function.

Nevertheless, there’s not rather a lot happening with the styling to inform it other than the usual MG 4, no less than from the skin, aside from some very apparent Volcano Orange brake calipers, in addition to a novel 18-inch dual-colour alloy wheel design.

There’s additionally ‘Silver Ornament Kits’ accessible which embrace accents for the entrance bumper splitter, facet skirts and rear bumper diffuser, however given we had been driving pre-production fashions at SAIC’s proving floor in Shanghai, it’s too early to know if the identical will probably be accessible on Australian-delivered vehicles – although, we’d assume so.

Curiously, the MG 4 XPower additionally will get a bespoke color, known as Hunter Inexperienced Satin – impressed by the Stirling Moss-driven MG EX181 which broke the Class F Land Pace Document in 1957 on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats, clocking a prime pace of 395km/h.

Beneath the pores and skin, although, there are a couple of key upgrades. The suspension system will get recalibrated springs and dampers that are 25 per cent stiffer than these in the usual MG 4. There are stiffer anti-roll bars too, extra responsive steering and torque vectoring software program that talks to a locking digital differential to handle the torque at every wheel.

Even the MG 4’s XPower’s regenerative braking system has been recalibrated for true one-pedal driving, however the considerably bigger and extra highly effective braking system fitted – 345mm/340mm versus 300mm/300mm for the usual MG 4. 

Inside, it’s simply as refined, bar a couple of upgrades like Alcantara sports activities seats with electrical adjustment, sports activities pedals and unique distinction crimson stitching. We’d wish to counsel XPower embroidery on the entrance seat headrests that would appear applicable for this hi-po model.

How a lot does the MG 4 XPower value?

Whereas MG Motor Australia has already confirmed pricing for its  commonplace 2023 MG 4 vary, which kicks off with the MG 4 Excite from $38,990 utilizing a smaller 51kWh battery and tops out with the MG 4 Essence variant with 77kWh battery from $55,990, there’s nonetheless no phrase on what the range-topping MG 4 XPower is perhaps priced from.

Nevertheless, within the UK, MG has already introduced pricing for MG 4 XPower at £36,495, which converts to only underneath A$70,000.

However, given MG’s continued ‘value-for-money’ ethos, we’d positive like pricing in Australia to take a seat properly underneath the $70k mark drive-away.

The core MG 4 vary is because of launch in Australia in Q3 2023, with the XPower to observe later within the 12 months.

2023 MG 4 pricing:

• 2023 MG 4 Excite (51kWh): $38,990
• 2023 MG 4 Excite (64kWh): $44,990
• 2023 MG 4 Essence (64kWh): $47,990
• 2023 MG 4 Essence (77kWh): $55,990
• 2023 MG 4 XPower (64kWh): $TBC

Costs are earlier than on-road prices

MORE: MG 4 worth and specs

What’s the MG 4 XPower like on the within?

Even within the base-spec MG 4 Excite, there’s nothing low-cost and cheerful concerning the cabin, in reality, it heralds a much more polished, if not, minimalistic design from MG, with all the most recent tech you’re more likely to want in your each day EV.

However, the MG 4 XPower takes it up a notch or two, with some properly bolstered Alcantara/leather-look sports activities seats. These are snug pews with distinction crimson stitching that would appear to cater for all shapes and physique sizes.

The comfortable Alcantara additionally extends to sections of the door playing cards, whereas the flat-bottomed leather-based steering wheel is pleasantly tactile and feels good to the contact.

Curiously, there’s a centre wheel marker in black, however as an alternative of its normal top-mounted place, it’s on the backside for some unknown purpose.

The dashboard format itself is splendidly neat and tidy, utilizing what feel and appear like high quality supplies with a stable match and end, together with the brightwork. It’s tasteful, if not, semi-premium.

The highlights, although, are the 2 high-definition screens that function throughout the complete MG 4 vary. There’s a big infotainment touchscreen entrance and centre with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to make life simpler for these with smartphones.

Beneath it, are a row of shortcut buttons offering fast entry to the likes of audio quantity, house display screen and windscreen features.   

There’s a smaller display screen for the digital instrument show – once more with loads of color, readability and knowledge readily available for the motive force. Menus are accessed by way of flattened joystick controllers either side of the steering wheel, together with a couple of extra shortcut buttons for added comfort.

The centre console is a trendy, floating kind that merely homes a rotary drive selector, electrical park brake and a wi-fi phone-charging pad – and that’s it. Utterly and completely fool-proof for these getting into EV possession for the primary time.

Ergonomics have been properly thought out right here with all controls in simple attain, together with adequate adjustability all-round.

There are three seatbelts within the second row, however there’s solely two real seats again there and no centre armrest, however even these pews are suitably bolstered for higher backseat consolation.

You additionally get correct enclosed seat pockets, in addition to twin cellphone holders on the again of every entrance seat.

Cupboard space is plentiful, too, with oodles of cubby holes and an open-style compartment underneath the console bridge itself in addition to the centre-console bin, which in all fairness sized.

There’s additionally adequately-sized bottle holders within the door pockets, two cupholders (entrance solely), and a reasonably-sized boot of 363 litre capability – increasing to 1165 with the rear seats folded.

It’s not benchmark however the MG 4 feels spacious sufficient regardless of its diminutive proportions, due to its flat, ‘One-Pack’ battery design, which MG claims is a benchmark 110mm thick.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Whilst you may count on MG’s strongest 77kWh to be offering the juice for the marque’s fastest-ever manufacturing automotive, the MG 4 XPower makes do with the mid-tier 64kWh battery pack, however in live performance with two electrical motors producing 150kW up entrance and 170kW down again.

Mixed outputs of 320kW of energy and 600Nm of torque to all 4 wheels permit it to launch from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds, thereby equalling Audi’s celebrated RS3 Sportback and pipping the mega-quick Mercedes-AMG A45 S – two of the quickest petrol-powered sizzling hatches on the planet.

Whereas we drove a pre-production mannequin in China, Australian-delivered fashions will get a devoted launch-control operate in an effort to hit the XPower’s large acceleration claims.

Moreover, there’s additionally a Monitor mode accessed through the shortcut menu, offering; Monitor mode interface, automobile efficiency information and information evaluation together with lap mode and stage modes.

Estimated cost time utilizing single-phase energy with 6.6kW is 9.0 hours, whereas going from 10 per cent to 80 per cent utilizing a 50kW quick charger takes 60 minutes. Utilizing the utmost capability 150kW charger, the MG 4 XPower will attain an 80 per cent cost in 26 minutes.

Like the complete MG 4 vary, the XPower additionally options V2L functionality, permitting house owners to energy issues like laptops, fridge and BBQ, utilizing 220V and a max output of three.3kW.

With all that energy, vary is lowered to 385km (WLTP) on the MG 4 XPower, whereas the Excite with the identical 64kW battery achieves a most vary of 450km (WLTP).

How does the MG 4 XPower drive?

With only one pre-production tester between a number of journalists, and SAIC’s personal in-house proving floor in Shanghai serving because the check facility for our first drive of the MG 4 XPower, time behind the wheel was a restricted, so we headed straight for the high-speed circuit to strive launch management.

Ordinarily on production-spec vehicles the motive force will merely must flatten each the throttle and brake pedal concurrently, earlier than releasing the brake pedal to provoke the launch management function, which wasn’t potential on our tester – so, we simply improvised.

Suffice to say, it’s fast – bloody fast. However with out using a VBox or another speed-measuring tools afforded us on the high-security web site, it in any other case handed the shades check with flying colors – that’s, underneath full throttle, my aviators flew off my head earlier than smashing into the rear display screen and with a great deal of power.

Nonetheless, additional and extra thorough efficiency testing will have to be performed by Paul Maric and his technical crew at our normal Lang Lang proving floor in Victoria, the place properly-measured acceleration checks on MG 4 XPower underneath managed circumstances will ship correct information.

However, armed with twin motors, all-wheel drive and 600Nm of torque, we obtained no wheelspin, slippage or hesitation. It’s simply growth and also you’re gone – albeit with a bit queasiness in your stomach.

On the longer straightaways we very quickly hit 169km/h, with nonetheless loads of journey left underneath the throttle pedal, so now we have little purpose to doubt the MG 4’s prime pace declare of 200km/h at this level.

Fitted with upgraded suspension, sharper steering and greater brakes, we had been eager to place XPower by way of some high-speed bends to see how the uprated chassis dealt with the masses.

Curiously, our tester was fitted with Bridgestone Turanza tyres (235/45) with its Enliten expertise. Successfully, it’s light-weight Eco tyre with lowered rolling resistance but in addition designed for improved dealing with. We’d have thought Bridgestone’s performance-skewed Potenza vary of tyres might need been extra of a match for MG 4 XPower .

Whereas we had been considerably restrained in our high-speed testing, it was adequate sufficient to sound out the steering really feel and chassis steadiness. Each elements had been stable with out being distinctive.

Suggestions is cheap and steering weight and linearity is comfortably sporty if not fast, however it’s not as sharp as we would have anticipated of a small hatch able to unleashing this sort firepower.

Thoughts, at 1800kg the MG 4 XPower isn’t precisely a light-weight both, and regardless of its declare of fifty:50 weight distribution, you might actually really feel that heft on turn-in and whereas leaning on it on the apex. Once more, we would have anticipated a bit extra front-end accuracy on turn-in.

We’d wish to strive it on a set of Potenzas all the identical, no less than as a comparability to see if it would improve the steering suggestions on nook entry and mid-corner composure underneath excessive load.

Don’t get me incorrect, we pushed laborious within the bends and the automotive behaved properly and was suitably settled, however it additionally didn’t provide you with that fun-to-drive feeling both, which all of us crave in a sizzling hatch with this a lot poke.

Suspension compliance over bumps is one other space the circumstances didn’t permit for testing, although the MG 4 XPower confirmed tight physique management although the quicker bends on the proving floor – although extra by way of testing in native circumstances will doubtless reveal extra conclusive impressions.

In all equity although, the check circumstances had been completely not conducive to getting the very best out of the automotive – remembering this was a pre-production instance we drove, albeit unfinished should you like.

Keep tuned then for a extra substantial drive on native roads when the XPower lastly lands.

What do you get?

MG 4 Excite highlights:

• One pedal performance
• V2L (Automobile-to-Load)
• Full LED lighting
• 4-mode regenerative braking
• 5-link impartial rear suspension
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Keyless entry and begin
• Automated cease and begin
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
• 4-speaker sound system
• Black cloth upholstery
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automated high-beam
• Electrical facet mirrors with heating performance
• 6-way guide adjustable driver seat
• MG Pilot
• iSmart Lite connectivity

MG 4 Essence provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Black roof
• Twin-aero rear spoiler
• Rear mild bar
• iSmart connectivity
• 6-speaker sound system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Artificial leather-based/material upholstery
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Peak-adjustable load ground
• EV journey planner
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 360 diploma view digital camera
• Two-tone roof
• Lively grille shutters
• Electrical folding mirrors
• Twin-level boot ground
• Rear privateness glass

MG 4 XPower provides:

• Launch Management
• Monitor Mode Show
• Alcantara Black inside
• Alcantara seats
• Sports activities pedals
• Efficiency Sports activities Caliper
• Distinctive 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheel

Colors

• Dover White
• Brixton Blue
• Black Pearl metallic
• Camden Gray metallic
• Dynamic Pink tri-coat
• Volcano Orange tri-coat
• Sterling Silver
• Hunter Inexperienced satin (XPower)

Is the MG 4 XPower protected?

The MG 4 has but to be examined by ANCAP, nevertheless its sister authority Euro NCAP gave it a five-star score in 2022.

This was based mostly on an grownup occupant safety score of 83 per cent, a baby occupant safety score of 80 per cent, a weak highway consumer safety score of 75 per cent, and a security help score of 78 per cent.

Commonplace security tools consists of:

• AEB incl. Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
• Adaptive cruise management
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Clever pace restrict help
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Site visitors Jam Help
• Site visitors signal recognition

MG 4 Essence provides:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Secure exit warning
• Encompass-view digital camera

How a lot does the MG 4 XPower value to run?

All MG 4 fashions are backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Service pricing for the MG 4 vary remains to be to be introduced.

CarExpert’s Tackle the MG 4 XPower

A lot will rely on the completed manufacturing automotive and native worth level towards any perceived competitors together with the Tesla Mannequin 3.

However, the MG 4 XPower has the makings of a worldwide sport changer given its ballistic efficiency, cool design language in addition to its beneficiant tools and security ranges.

If MG Motor Australia will get the pricing proper, then the one concern goes to be provide, given the MG 4 XPower might properly find yourself billed as the most affordable supercar on the planet.

Click on the photographs for the total gallery

MORE: Every part MG 4