2024 MG MG4 XPower evaluate: In all of the hoo-hah in regards to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Tesla Mannequin 3 Efficiency and Kia EV6 GT, the fourth member of the battery electrical go-fast household has been somewhat bit forgotten.
So right here’s a reminder for you of us. The MG MG4 XPower is the closest factor EVs presently supply to what’s historically known as a sizzling hatch.
The system is fairly easy. Take Mum’s purchasing trolley and add energy, dealing with and a few styling pizazz. And provides it a sexier title.
The XPower ticks all of the containers. It’s received heaps of grunt, limpet grip and a value that’s virtually inexpensive in nowadays of stroke-inducing new automobile sticker shock.
2024 MG4 XPower value and tools
The MG4 is the most effective Chinese language automobile on-sale in Australia and the XPower is essentially the most sporting drive within the vary for those who’re into that form of factor.
It can price you $59,990 drive-away. For that you just get a 300kW/600Nm powertrain claimed to achieve 100km/h from relaxation in 3.8 seconds through twin e-motor all-wheel drive.
Nothing within the EV house matches up on energy and value. Nothing.
The 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack is straight from the MG4 Essence and gives a 400km WLTP vary. That’s down from the Essence’s 435km declare. Does anybody know why this automobile doesn’t get the larger 77kWh battery?
The XPower has 140kW most DC charging and 6.6kW AC charging. The claimed consumption fee is 15.2kWh/100km.
In comparison with a typical MG4 there’s not quite a bit that’s modified externally. That’s no dangerous factor as a result of this factor already seems to be good and quick.
There are swirly 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Turanza tyres and brightly colored calliper covers underneath which you’ll discover much less spectacular wanting brake callipers.
The substantial spoiler hanging over the rear window is straight from upper-spec rear-wheel drive MG4s.
Inside, aside from sports activities pedals, the XPower shares its inside tools record with the MG4 64 Essence, together with the squircle steering wheel (that appears very XPower).
Highlights embody keyless entry and begin (sit within the driver’s seat and the automobile is able to go), single zone air-conditioning, a ten.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a powered driver’s seat, entrance seat heating and wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
There’s the identical complete security tools record utilized to the XPower because the Essence, though the new hatch mises out on the ANCAP 5 star score as a result of that’s reserved for the only motors.
The guarantee is seven years/limitless km and the battery guarantee seven years/160,000km.
2024 MG4 XPower: What we predict
There is no such thing as a doubting the MG4 XPower’s major occasion trick. This factor boogies in a straight line.
That 3.8 second 0-100km/h declare is oh-so plausible as you’re squished into the factitious leather-based and Alcantara driver’s seat and the factitious spaceship audio whirrs ever-more intensely louder. There’s launch management however who wants it?
This can be a automobile for meting out white van man in a single damaged line. It’s for turning mountains into molehills.
It delivers bang in your straight-line buck that makes it look downright low-cost when you think about a Porsche 911 Carrera is 0.3 seconds slower to 100km/h and prices you an additional $240,000 or so.
‘Okay’ you say, ‘that’s all nicely and good. However what occurs whenever you get to the twisty bits?’ We all know what occurs in a 911 – the texture and grip and cohesion make it the most effective a part of the expertise.
(In a nicely pushed one that’s – not one being reversed into the bushes at excessive velocity by an over-ambitious wealthy outdated white man. Sorry, digression.)
The MG4 XPower can’t emulate that have – the cohesive one that’s. It’s a way more artificial expertise.
Sure, MG has given the XPower’s chassis a tune up. There’s sharper steering, stiffer suspension, an digital differential that may vector torque between all 4 wheels and greater brake discs.
They’re worthy modifications that work along with the low centre of gravity substantial EV batteries ship to make this a swift cross-country drive.
The cornering grip of the XPower is extraordinarily excessive and the steering is correct. But it surely’s extra about daring your self to see how briskly you may go in a nook than being absorbed within the stream for its personal sake. Certain, it’s pleasing however it’s not immersive.
That’s extra achievable in an ICE efficiency car as a result of there are extra inputs to take care of. Extra issues to captivate you. On this automobile there isn’t any clutch pedal and/or gears to govern as a result of there’s solely a single velocity transmission. There’s no engine revs to regulate or take heed to rising and falling.
There’s extremely efficient multi-stage brake regeneration and there are drive modes to regulate within the XPower, however they’re solely accessible through the touchscreen. Paddles and dials would assist create extra connection extra shortly.
It’s not all distant and digital, that is nonetheless a bodily car not a online game. The entrance tyres will scrabble for traction as energy is transferred ahead underneath laborious acceleration. And there are some hints of steering tug because the front-mounted rack copes with similar.
Other than that, the XPower has the same old MG4 positives and minuses.
It’s a pleasant sufficient automobile to pootle round in, retains a good experience, isn’t too noisy and has affordable house inside and within the boot.
Negatives? There are too many controls that should be accessed via the contact display together with the overly intrusive lane retaining and driver monitoring that should be switched off each time you get within the automobile, rear-seat passengers get few options (no vents as an example), voice management is garbage, adaptive cruise management will decelerate autonomously in corners (I hate that!), there’s no spare tyre and your smartphone will go flying out of the shallow charging pad when accelerating and cornering at velocity. And also you do a good bit of each within the XPower.
2024 MG MG4 XPower: Verdict
The MG4 XPower is a wow of a sizzling hatch to drive in a straight line, however imperfect and a bit distant when the corners are reached. The fact is a turbo-petrol Hyundai i30 N remains to be extra involving. Heresy I do know
Perhaps the worth we have now to pay for all the advantages EVs ship is a lessened diploma of emotional involvement within the driving expertise. Or maybe we’re simply at an early stage of the event of inexpensive electrical efficiency automobiles and that connection is coming.
Hopefully the latter is true and the XPower is a startlingly quick and infrequently pleasing – if not immersive – place to begin.
Rating: 3.0/5
2024 BMW MG MG4 XPower specs
Worth: $59,990 (drive-away)
Fundamentals: EV , 5 seats, 5 doorways, small passenger automobile
Vary: 400km (WLTP)
Battery capability: 64kWh lithium-ion (62.1kWh usable)
Battery guarantee: 7 years/160,000km
Vitality consumption: 15.2kWh/100km
Motors: twin everlasting magnet synchronous, 300kW/600Nm (mixed).
AC charging: 6.6kW, Sort 2 plug
DC charging: 140kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 3.8 seconds