BERLIN: MG means business these days and the company is pressing forward with an affordable electric car that could take the sector by storm.
The dormant English company, which was bought up by the Chinese, was content to sell combustion engines for the last two years, but had already made a name for itself.
The company has now launched its first dedicated electric car, the MG4, at prices starting in Europe from €31,990 (around RM150,000).
No this is not a trendy runabout like the Ora or a luxurious saloon like with Nio, but a boldly-designed yet conventionally-drawn hatchback for the masses.
The gamble could pay off since the car offers as much space at the top dog VW Golf with a combustion engine and the new electric ID3 is a tad too expensive for many.
The rub is that is that the price of the MG undercuts its rivals by 20% yet still manages to offer an attractive package.
At 4.30 metres long, with a 2.71-metre wheelbase, there is sufficient space for four adults and the usable radius between charges of up to 450km provides a good radius of action.
The MG4 breaks the mould too. Whereas Chinese cars in this class were previously mostly inferior copies of other maker's models, the MG4 has an original and coherent design.
The front aspect is pleasing, while the rear is more provocative, with a distinctive spoiler and striking LED flashes in the protruding tail lights.
On the inside, the Chinese car has taken cues from Wolfsburg's ID models but MG's developers have done their homework. There is a small screen behind the steering wheel and a large touchscreen next to it.
But instead of the idiosyncratic gearshift on the steering wheel, the MG driver selects the direction with a fancy rotary wheel in front of the centre console.
Whereas the fingers of VW customers have to fumble over sensor strips in the dark, the most important functions in the MG can be operated unerringly with conventional switches.
MG is generous, at least when it comes to equipment. There is navigation and Apple CarPlay for everyone and a suite of assistance systems ranging from automatic distance control to cameras that take care of the blind spot when turning.
Only the heated seats, the heat pump and the WLAN hotspot are reserved for the top model, which, at €37,990 (RM178,000), costs as much as the VW entry-level model.
The MG4 is based on a new corporate platform that will bring a whole series of electrics into the MG showrooms over the next few years. It relies on an extremely flat battery with a diameter of only 11 cm.
In the MG4 it has 51 or 64 KWh depending on the model variant, is enough for 350km or 450km of range and can be charged with up to 135 kW. This is average at best, but the battery can be conditioned at the touch of a button before charging.
This saves a lot of charging time and still ensures short stops in the end. Under optimal conditions the MG4 can top up its batteries from 10 to 80% in 35 minutes. The car is also capable of bidirectional charging and can supply power for e-bikes or even a holiday home.
The drive is provided by an engine on the rear axle, which produces 130 kW/170 hp in the basic model and 150 kW/204hp in combination with the large battery. Maximum torque is 250 Nm.
This is enough for sprinting times of less than 8 seconds and a top speed that is limited to 160 km/h, as is usual in this class.
While many other electric cars are mundane to drive, the MG4 is fun to hustle along country roads. The chassis is well-balanced, there is a low centre of gravity, quick and direct steering and a stability control system.
The MG4 shows that its owner SAIC is making a serious effort to break into the market. It will need customer trust in order to take on the market leaders.
With solid technology, competitive key data and an unrivalled price, the MG4 certainly has what it takes to challenge European models like the VW ID3.
