The 2024 MG4 XPower has made a splash that efficiency automobile lovers shouldn’t ignore. Boasting prodigious straight-line velocity, a svelte and comfy inside and spectacular driving dynamics, it simply might problem what many assume characterises a sizzling hatch.
Sure, as a rusted-on, late-adopter petrol head, this author did simply say that. It’s an enormous name, however MG Motor have delivered. Ever since we watched them take one to Sydney Dragway, and propel this EV down the quarter mile in a near-flat 12 seconds, it’s been on our hit checklist.
It’s a looker too. We’d be mendacity if we didn’t see influences in design from the likes of Toyota on the rear – however the entrance finish is fortunately distinctive. Ahead of the A-pillar, the bonnet line is sort of quick and curves downward, with two angry-bee trying entrance LED headlamps.
Aft of the pillars is a much more conventional design and, in the price elective satin-finish Hunter Inexperienced Premium, is fairly simple on the attention. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are seven different colors to select from.
A visible spotlight for us was the weird remedy atop the rear hatch. It seems to be like two spoilers that sit above a sloping rear glasshouse, and we surprise if the design drives aero advantages.
The 18-inch wheels wrestle to cover monstrous orange MG-logo emblazoned callipers – which have been in reality discovered to be metallic covers. Not a deal breaker, however it could’ve been good to know they have been actual.
We have been grateful that the gear beneath, together with the regenerative braking, was as much as the duty. Contact with terra-firma is dealt with by a sq. set of 235/45 Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV rubber.
It’s an attention-grabbing alternative given the numerous efficiency focussed choices within the Bridgestone vary. One factor is definite, they all the time had their work lower out for them – particularly when driving in anger.
Stepping inside unveils an inside house that elegantly combines each kind and performance. For entrance seat occupants, the house is dominated by the floating centre console which homes a rotary dial for gear choice and an digital handbrake.
Some will discover that the left knee will both relaxation comfortably in opposition to it or be an annoyance. The motive force’s seating place is surprisingly good. Electrical heated leather-based and Alcantara coated seats provide simply sufficient bolstering to again the sporting pretentions.
Importantly, they’ve sufficient adjustment to really feel such as you’re sitting within the cabin, not on it. The electrically adjustable steering wheel appeared method too giant initially and felt prefer it was floating in skinny air given the spartan sprint as a backdrop.
This was punctuated by the small 7-inch display that’s the instrument binnacle. The awkwardness subsided as soon as we realised that in live performance with the seating, it grew to become a really snug driving place.
Central controls are carried out by means of a ten.25-inch touchscreen. Just like the MG5, button ware is sparse. As such, the identical points we discovered with the HVAC controls and frustrations digging into menus for easy issues have been replicated right here.
On two events when the whole unit froze – necessitating a cease and full automobile restart. It actually was a downer in an in any other case nice cabin. Fortunately, there’s a giant wi-fi charger and two USB ports to connect with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Leisure is dealt with by a median 6-speaker stereo which actually isn’t befitting of the MG4 XPower. Rear lodging belie the dimensions, with sufficient room within the automotive for 4 adults to journey comfortably, and use their very own charging port.
The stitched leather-based cell phone holders at the back of the entrance seats are a pleasant contact. We are able to’t consider it hadn’t been considered earlier than. That stated, we’d’ve traded them for a rear air-con vent.
Finishing the inside is a 363-litre boot which may increase out to 1,117-litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded flat. Inside goodness apart, what makes this automotive a bona-fide hotch hatch is what sits below the bonnet. Effectively, and above the rear axle.
Two particular person electrical motors energy the entrance (150kW) and rear axles (170kW), and together ship an AWD drivetrain. Most outputs are 320kW of energy and 600Nm of torque.
For reference, it wasn’t that way back {that a} flagship HSV can be praised for reaching these numbers. Removed from merely figures on a web page, these outputs propel this 1,800kg automobile to 100km/h in a staggering 3.8 seconds.
As talked about earlier than, its efficiency will see you cross the 1320-metre mark in a whisker over 12 seconds. You possibly can really feel each little bit of the drama too; on launch management the rear dips and the entrance tyres lose traction even from a standstill in a straight line.
For context – that’s 0.8 seconds quicker to 100km/h than the closest comparably priced sizzling hatch, the Golf R ($69,000). It is just matched by Australia’s quickest sizzling hatch, the Audi RS3, which retails for greater than $90,000.
In actual fact, the XPower will embarrass a base mannequin Porsche 911 Carrera, which retails at over 4 occasions its $59,990 plus on-roads sticker worth. It’s not a one trick pony both. It would assault corners with the identical ferocity.
The torque vectoring AWD works onerous to maintain issues collectively and the brakes pull it up properly, however there may be an unlucky benign really feel to the steering. We gained’t go so far as to name it wood, however there merely isn’t sufficient communication coming again up the column.
It’s a dampener for what’s a surprisingly candy chassis. It sits flat, owing to an upgraded suspension setup that gives a 25 per cent enhance in stiffness over the MG4 Excite. Ham fistedness leads to attribute and anticipated understeer.
A slower entry is complemented with ferocious exits – it truly is quite a lot of enjoyable regardless of the shortage of soundtrack. A bonus is Observe Mode, with information logging, offering you with lap timing performance in addition to different telemetry like G forces throughout your time on observe.
Regardless of all this high-speed functionality, the MG4 XPower is simply as simple to potter round in. These is a bit more street noise that one would love, however it should in any other case offer you a practical 400-ish kilometres of vary, and take you there in full consolation.
You’re going to get there safely too, with all of the requisite options on board together with six airbags, lane preserve help, a 360-degree digital camera, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and bike owner detection, blind spot monitoring and rear cross visitors alert.
After a number of rocky years, MG Motor Australia have a brand new groove. The MG4 isn’t good, nevertheless it’s far simpler to repair points than it’s to construct a automotive that’s enjoyable to steer. Doing that takes a model that intends to offer choices for individuals who love driving.
And that’s one thing that has waned for method too lengthy. You will discover out extra on the MG Motor Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership. If you happen to’re eager on one and wish finance, speak to CreditOne.
Our check automobile was offered by MG Motor Australia for evaluate functions.
