MG4 test

The infotainment screen benefits from a 10.25 inch touch slab with a good definition of 1,920 x 720 pixels. If it is subject to reflections too, it easily compensates thanks to the brightness which is sufficiently high like the instrumentation screen. No complaints therefore, especially since MG has also revised its copy since the launch of the MG4 in September last year. The interface is taken over from the MG ZS EV. Rather intuitive despite the host of information, she is very fluid and the bugs all seem to have been corrected. In use, the MG4 XPower system is therefore very effective and you always have The possibility of switching to Android Auto or Carplay.

MG MG4

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MG4 XPower test: an electric compact of 435 horsepower, is it reasonable ?

Besteller of the brand, the MG4 is available in an Xpower version which becomes the MG The most powerful to date. With two electric motors, it develops the Bag of 435 hp, while displaying a price that remains very aggressive. What remains at the competition ?

• Improvements for the MG4 in 2023
• What’s new for the MG4 XPOWER ?
• 435 horsepower for the MG4 XPower
• Modifications necessary for the MG4 XPOWER
• Driving the MG4 XPower
• The delicate question of electricity consumption
• What budget for the MG4 XPOWER ?
• Comments

It only took MG for three years to win among the automotive brands that count in France. Bought by the Chinese giant Saic Motor in 2007, The brand has relaunched in France in 2020, and is currently in 6th position on the 100 % electric vehicle market in front of Volkswagen, with a market share of 8.27 %. Let us remember in passing that the manufacturer also offers hybrid models. And whatever the engine, these have notably distinguished themselves with A most attractive price/price ratio. Consequently, there is not surprising that the year 2023 promises to be a new record year for MG.

As proof, after having realized The best month of June in its history with 4,148 registrations, Or an increase of 269 % compared to the previous year, MG also sold 17,392 cars at the end of August in mainland France and DROM. To give an idea of ​​performance, know that the brand sold 13,170 full -year cars in 2022, and 4951 the previous year. Another element that testifies to its success, 72 % of sales are made to individuals (a figure that is 45 % in France). Other interesting figures, The bulk of MG sales concerns 100 % electric vehicles (84 % against 10 % hybrids and 6 % thermal), while the MG4 stands out highly like its bestseller.

Improvements for the MG4 in 2023

Launched at the start of the 2022 school year, The MG4 is available in several versions With the standard 125 kW model (170 hp) and a small 51 kWh battery for 350 km WLTP of autonomy, a better equipped Comfort finish and (150 kW) 204 hp with a 64 kWh battery for 450 km of autonomy, and finally the luxury which displays the same technical characteristics with an even richer allocation. All come from receive several improvements With now the driving to a pedal, holding handles at the front and rear, a third rear header, the rear wipe and finally larger rims: 17 inches in alloy instead of 16 steel inch for the standard MG4, and 18 inches instead of 17 inches for Luxury. The latter will soon win a route planner which is still lacking in the car. And not content to offer the MG4 at a very aggressive price from € 24,990, The manufacturer has also launched an unprecedented offer at less than € 99 per month under conditions.

But that’s not all, for those who need more autonomy, A new version called extended autonomy was launched in July 2023. This is a luxury version that swaps its 64 kWh battery for a more generous pack of 77 kWh. Capable of traveling until 520 km WLTP on a single load, It is animated by the most muscular engine in the range with 180 kW, i.e 245 hp.

What’s new for the MG4 XPOWER ?

However, the MG4 Luxury extended autonomy will not have remained the most powerful MG for very long. The manufacturer has decided to go even further by offering it An even more swivel new version called Xpower. This variation was presented for the first time at an event that you would think tailor -made, The Festival of Speed ​​in Goodwood in England.

In appearance, it looks like a drop of water to other models in the range, except thatIt benefits from specific design elements. First a whole New Hunter color Matt green very successful that equipped our test version. The front shield is adorned with a black piano finish with gray inserts, while 18-inch two-inch rims in alloy accompanies specific brake calipers with the Xpower logo.

For the rest it is the same at the same. Rather high for an electric car that wants to be sporty, The MG4 XPower has false tunes of Lamborghini with its profiled headlights, vertical LED indicators and air inputs. The ribbed hood plunges to the shield which incorporates an active grille of which The shutters can open or close to gain in aerodynamics.

We find the xpower badge on the back, but also on the door thresholds and in the cabin, An exclusivity reserved for the French version. The back of the car divides with its very atypical look. Rather sporty, it is equipped with a vertical blades diffuser, and two spoilers, one of which on the roof line which is split into two parts. The lower spoiler incorporates a light strip which travels the whole rear tailgate, and which joins the two rear lights. Finally, the roof is contrasting black and the lateral protections are matching the front shield with the piano black finish and the gray inserts, again.

There are fewer changes in the passenger compartment, but they testify to the high -end positioning of the MG4 XPOWER. Indeed, the upholstery is always in similarity As on the Luxury finish, but it is embellished with Alcantara which gives it a surplus of elegance with its red stitching. We also find the same material on the counterports, but only at the front. A detail that is important, because it brings more comfort to the level of contact areas.

The rest of the cabin is common with the other MG4. The presentation is modest, but modern and very functional. We find The two screens with the one who is dedicated to instrumentation behind the steering wheel. A diagonal of 7 inches (800 x 480 pixels), it relies on a color slab which offers displays a high brightness for flawless readability even in full sun and despite the reflections. The screen displays useful information Like the speed of the MG4 XPower, the power or energy recovery level, the limit panels or the on -board computer with the different consumptions. To note that The display is customizable via a dedicated steering wheel order. The latter is contextual which means that it offers different functions. The driver can thus control the reading of the music and the volume level, but it will be enough to press another button dedicated on the right branch of the steering wheel to switch to the selection of the display: on -board computer, music or navigation display.

The infotainment screen benefits from a 10.25 inch touch slab with a good definition of 1,920 x 720 pixels. If it is subject to reflections too, it easily compensates thanks to the brightness which is sufficiently high like the instrumentation screen. No complaints therefore, especially since MG has also revised its copy since the launch of the MG4 in September last year. The interface is taken over from the MG ZS EV. Rather intuitive despite the host of information, she is very fluid and the bugs all seem to have been corrected. In use, the MG4 XPower system is therefore very effective and you always have The possibility of switching to Android Auto or Carplay.

However, these two solutions are only accessible by connecting your smartphone using a USB cable Type A. A second port, in USB type C this time, is also integrated into the vacuum pocket which offers a beautiful storage space. A third USB port is also available in the rear seats. A word also on the reversing camera which is rather original with its objective Fisheye. This is very practical for maneuver, especially sinceIt is associated with a 360 -degree view, and that the back visibility is reduced with the addition of a headrest for the central place.

Always at the main infotainment screen, The MG4 XPower inaugurates a new “circuit” display that we were able to use on the Geoparc circuit in the Vosges. It is neither more nor less about a small basic telemetry tool that records the distance and the times between two points. It is thus possible to View and compare your times on the turn, But also vertical and lateral accelerations, the accelerator power, braking or turning angle. All with a quantified or graphic presentation presentation. Not essential, but why deprive it ?

Good point, MG did not give in to the sirens of all touch with its MG4 XPOWER. The manufacturer thus keeps a few buttons, especially below the screen. It is thus possible to return to the home page of the infotainment system, adjust the volume of music or access air conditioning. this being, The latter button is not a dedicated order. He just turns on or cut the air conditioning.

Regarding the high -end of the MG4, The MG4 XPower takes up all the equipment of other models, and in particular the adaptive cruise control which can be associated with helping maintaining the way. The system can be activated very easily using one of the buttons on the left branch of the steering wheel.

The driver can choose the setpoint and adjust the security distance on three levels using the dedicated joystick. Simple and efficient. The MG4 XPOWER benefits from an alert to overlap or outright from Autonomous level 2 driving. The latter is effective despite some trajectory corrections which can be a little abrupt.

A word also on The MG ISMART mobile application. Available on Android and iOS, it offers the classic locking/unlocking functions of the MG4 XPOWER, air conditioning management, and of course the display of the load level, the remaining autonomy and the location of the vehicle. The presentation of the interface is rather successful and it is now possible to use your smartphone as a virtual key Like the Tesla or at Ford and BMW for example.To finish this long tour of the owner, know that The MG4 XPower is equipped with an aluminum crankset like any self -respecting sportsman.

435 horsepower for the MG4 XPower

But let’s finally go to the heart of the subject, that is to say what is hidden “under the hood” of the MG4 XPOWER. The manufacturer wanted to strike a blow by endowing it for the very first time with two electric motors, one on each axle. The car thus displays a cumulative power of (320 kW) 435 hp against (180 kW) 245 hp on the MG4 Luxury extended autonomy. We also find this same 180 kW engine on the rear train of the MG4 XPOWER. The novelty therefore lies in The integration of an electric motor which this time takes place on the front axle.

The latter develops 150 kW (204 hp), and allows The MG4 XPower to offer all -wheel drive. And the figures are amazing for such a car with a couple of 600 nm And 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.8 seconds. Impressive figures comparable to those of a Porsche 911 for example. But good news, you will not need to pay a fortune to fill up on sensations behind the wheel of the electric compact. Because faithful to its strategy, MG positioned the MG4 XPower at a very aggressive price. Displayed at € 40,490 excluding ecological bonus, and therefore less than € 36,000 By integrating the latter. Suffice to say thatToday there is no competitor of 400 hp and more at this price level.

Modifications necessary for the MG4 XPOWER

More powerful, the MG4 XPower had to undergo some modifications to accommodate the two electric motors. It remains of course based on the same dedicated MSP platform, and the manufacturer announces that it has managed to keep a uniform distribution of the masses to preserve the balance.

Rolling trains have been optimized with front triangles, which are now aluminum for more rigidity and lightness. The suspensions have also been adjusted to be rigidified by 25 % at the front and 10 % at the rear Compared to standard versions. In addition, the shock absorber saw its modified compression force of 10 % at the front and 30 % at the rear. And to guarantee sports and precise driving, MG indicates that Management is now heavier.

On the braking side, the MG4 XPower also required some modifications to be up to the engine. Wider (345 mm in diameter at the front and 340 mm at the rear) and thicker, Ventilated brake discs are associated with a “By Wire” system and larger brake calipers surmounted by a color cache with the XPower logo.

Regarding the first MG4 all -wheel drive, The MG4 XPower benefits from a new engine control unit. This unproportionate the distribution of power to the front or rear wheels. MG announces a reaction time of 100 ms, 200 times faster than conventional systems, just that. Failing to be able to check its words, know that the MG4 XPower is a traction that can go into four -wheel drive mode. Such a system has the advantage of optimizing energy consumption by activating the engine before transparently when necessary.

Which naturally brings us to driving modes of the MG4 XPower, which are accessible directly from the steering wheel in the same way as the power of the energy recovery system for deceleration and braking. With the “Eco” mode, the MG4 XPower is pure propulsion. The “normal” mode is also mainly in propulsion, except that the engine before automatically activates when the conditions require it, for example when the ESP triggers. Finally, Sport mode allows you to use MG4 XPOWER engines constantly like the Snow mode whose mapping is nevertheless adapted to the weather conditions, this goes without saying.

Finally, let us specify that The car is equipped with the XDS system. It is neither more nor less than an electronic blocking of the differential, which will therefore dynamically manage the distribution of the torque on the wheels. To do this, he can slow down the inner wheel in order to Guarantee the stability and performance of the MG4 XPOWER during the turns.

Driving the MG4 XPower

During the MG4 Luxury test, we had been pleasantly surprised by the behavior of the car, which benefits from its dedicated MSP platform which should be declined on other models of Saic Motor. The MG4 XPower therefore also benefits from Battery integration into the floor, A configuration which, as we know, enormously benefits the center of gravity which is lowered. In addition, with a thickness of only 110 mm, the occupants are not seated with the raised knees. As such, the rear seats are welcoming, including for large people.

Like at Tesla, MG has simplified the start -up to the extreme. To the point of deriving certain experienced journalists/trials. In fact nothing rocket science, just settle on board, put your belt and to press the brake pedal to start the MG4 XPOWER. Forget the old habits with a starting button which no longer has to be with electric cars.

Inevitably, the temptation is too strong and It is directly in sport mode that our trial begins. And unsurprisingly, the MG4 XPower is up to the figures announced by literally sticking the occupants at their headquarters at the slightest pressure on the right pedal. The reminders are lively and facilitate overruns without the slightest feeling of loss of power at high speed.

From the first passages in curve, it is clear that this new version of the MG4 XPower is a little less playful than the more modest versions in power. More rigorous, the car is pretty well on the brakes, but the rear axle loses mobility. To the point that we will keep the ESP on the circuit as it is effective. Inevitably the compromises are quickly obvious and the behavior of the MG4 XPower is not as sharpened as that of a Porsche 911 or any supercar which costs an organ. The fault in particular for suspensions both in relaxation and suspension. A characteristic that MG admits, specifying having wanted to favor daily comfort. Because this dragster may have enough to put you on orbit each acceleration, It is also a question of using it on a daily basis And not only on the circuit – even if it lends itself to the exercise as we have seen in Geoparc.

As much as The brakes will have a hard time supporting a shock treatment all day long. So certainly she has watts to resell this MG4 XPOWER, but she also does not pretend to compete with sportsmen who cost her price more than twice (we think for example of the Audi TT RS or the Porsche 718 Cayman, which both display 400 hp and which are accompanied by a well -salted penalty). But difficult to make the mouth and not to take advantage of performance never seen at this price level.

On the other hand, if you are the type to make runs between two red lights, The MG4 XPower inaugurates a Launch Control such as the one who equips supercars or certain extreme motorcycles (Ducati Diavel or Kawasaki H2 for the reckless). No complicated procedure here, the system activates in the blink of an eye by simultaneously pressing the brake pedal with the left foot and the accelerator pedal with the right foot. Once the power indicator displays 66 %, just release the brake pedal for An immediate orbit with the 600 nm of torque. A word of advice, remember to warn your passenger to put your head on the headrest whose softness is particularly welcome in this situation.

The delicate question of electricity consumption

Finally, it is advisable to approach The thorny subject of electricity consumption. We suspect, keep your foot to the floor at the slightest opportunity when we have two engines that deliver 320 kW cumulative will necessarily drain the battery. Especially since the latter does not change and that it is identical to the one that equips the MG4 Luxury with its capacity of 64 kWh. The MG4 XPower is therefore not entitled to the large 77 kWh battery of the MG4 in its extended autonomy version. Two reasons for this, first with the additional weight added by the latter, and which is not compatible with the sporting positioning of the most powerful model in the range. On the other hand due to the cooling capacity of such a pack which is not the most suitable on a car which delivers 435 hp.

The manufacturer announces Mixed WLTP consumption of 18.7 kWh/100 km, and an autonomy of 385 km. A value that we have indeed been able to approach on a mixed course, respecting the speed limitations and avoiding frankly pressing the accelerator. At 130 km/h on a highway, Consumption exceeds 20 kWh/100 km with a range that can be estimated within 300 km. And necessarily, we have exceeded 29.8 kWh/100 km (the maximum displayed by the dashboard) by adopting a differently more dynamic driving, and trying the Launch Control several times.

Finally, The MG4 XPower accepts a maximum power of 140 kW on a quick continuous current charging station. The manufacturer announces 26 minutes to go from 10 to 80 % capacity. The on -board charger accepts a power of 11 kW.

What budget for the MG4 XPOWER ?

It has been said on several occasions throughout this test, the MG4 XPower is displayed at an unprecedented rate for such a level of power. The car is sold at a price of 40,490 euros Before the ecological bonus of 5,000 euros to date, and without the other aids (local bonuses or retraining bonus). In front, Competition is currently nonexistent at such a price, and by far.

The MG4 XPower benefits from the most complete equipment of the range As we saw above. In addition, the options are rare and are limited to painting. The car is offered as standard in white, The other colors being billed 650 euros, including the brand new matt green. Note to finish that the MG4 XPower can be delivered with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires or Bridgestone Turanza, without it being possible for the customer to choose the Monte.

Final test note: MG4 XPOWER test

The MG4 XPower allows you to afford a new car over 400 hp without leaving a kidney. Besides, it’s very simple, there is currently no competitor in this segment. Very well equipped, this electric compact has nothing either of a discount athletic with its excellent performance/price ratio. Admittedly, the MG4 XPower does not have the rigor of a Porsche 718 Cayman or an Audi TT RS which develop an equivalent power. But it has the merit of offering its share of sensations to a wider audience. In the end, we especially regret that MG did not push the experience further by giving it a more differentiating style than the other versions of the MG4.

• The attractive technical sheet
• Generous power
• Road behavior
• The always as aggressive price

• Relatively high consumption
• The rather banal style for a 435 hp car