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Electric MG has quality marque

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MG4 EV

By Bill McCarthy

If there was any lingering doubt that MG is back to making quality cars, the MG4 will put that to bed. The new hatchback joins the MG5 EV saloon and MG ZS EV in its assault on the electric market and is arguably the firm’s best car to date.

It is a classy alternative in its segment and offers extremely competitive pricing with models starting from just under £26k and an attractive seven year warranty.

The only thing that could disturb some older drivers is the shape of the steering wheel, which could produce horrible memories of the Austin Allegro owners with its square, so-called Quartic steering wheels.

It certinly looks good, built on the Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) that will underpin a new generation of MGs.

It features rear-wheel drive, 50-50 weight distribution and thin battery technology, which is a form of solid-state battery combined with the thin-film manufacturing processes. The aim is to produce more power and lower manufacturing costs through cheaper materials.

It certainly catches the eye with its sharp angular design, featuring a twin aero rear spoiler, 17-inch stylish alloy wheels and an all-LED rear light design.

The interior is just as impressive, belying the low price tag. It has a premium feel with soft touch finish together with black fabric upholstery. The thin battery frees up space for decent headroom, and legroom for both front and rear is also good.

Dominant in what is a fairly minimalist layout is the 10.25-inch touchscreen that features Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM as standard. In addition, a configurable seven-inch driver display delivers real-time information. There is a decent sound system

The rotary gear selector sits on a kind of floating central console which also houses a wireless charging pad on the range-topper.

This frees up room underneath and between the seats for extra storage. 

Boot space is decent with 363 litres available, increasing to an impressive 1,177 litres  with the split rear seats folded down

All are well equipped with the usual electronic aids, but if you want more toys and are prepared to spend a few grand extra, the Trophy long-range model adds a 360° Parking Camera, Satellite Navigation, Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel, and Mobile Phone Bluetooth Key.

The MG iSMART app allows you to control many functions of your MG4 EV including charging, checking your vehicle status, finding your nearest charging point, as well as pre-starting the climate control system.

It doesn’t just look good, it drives well and the balanced weight distribution and rear-wheel drive means the car delivers good handling feeling safe and secure even on twisting country lanes.

Like all electric cars, acceleration is brisk, this model hitting 60 mph in just under eight seconds. There is a choice of five driving modes, depending on conditions.

Three specifications include the MG4 EV SE Standard Range, the SE Long Range driven here and the Trophy Long Range.

With battery capacities from 51kWh to 64kWh, the MG4 EV Standard Range is capable of 218 miles on the WLTP cycle, with Long Range SE and Trophy models capable of 281 miles and 270 miles respectively.

However I managed closer to 190 miles, admittedly in difficult and power draining rain and dark conditions for the most part.

As ever, charging away from home can be pot luck. If you drop lucky onto a charger then fine, otherwise you could face a long wait. Charging infrastructure, while improving, is still not good enough, so carefully plan any longer journeys.

The 64kWh battery is also capable of recharging at up to 135kW, meaning a charge time of only 35 minutes from 10% – 80% using a 150kW DC rapid charger.

Safety is a key feature and the car has been awarded the full five stars in the Euro NCAP safety ratings and offers a host of safety features including a range of airbags and stability control, with MG Pilot advanced driver assistance as standard on all models. 

Features include active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent High Beam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Attention Alert.

Factfile

MG4 EV SE Long Range

Price: £28,495

Mechanical: 203bhp, 150kW electric motor driving rear wheels via automatic gearbox

Max speed: 100mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Range: 281 miles

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles

AWD, MG, SUV/4X4

Few can match value of electric MG

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MG ZS EV

By Bill McCarthy

Once an upmarket British marque, under Chinese ownership MG is firmly aimed at the family market offering, excellent value for money and a seven-year warranty.

Now the ZS EV has joined the race to electrification alongside the MG5 EV and the HS plug-in hybrid and offers excellent value for money.

It is a smart move because the ZS is a fine looking vehicle and the EV version deviates little from its plugin and petrol siblings.

In terms of price, as electric SUV/crossovers go, there’s nothing to match the MG, which can be bought for just under £27,500, inclusive of the Government EV grant.

The cosmetic changes include a different grille that has a cleverly hidden port for the charging point and bespoke alloys wheels, together with the green stripe on the number plate signifying an electric vehicle.

And while they are becoming more common, the car still attracts some curious gazes from passers-by.

While looking like the SUV/crossover that it is, it has some neat new design touches and the large and still famous MG badge adorning the grille.

And MG is also doing its bit to alleviate EV range anxiety with its latest 72.6kWh battery which delivers a driving range of up to 273 miles from a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle.

In addition, it’s quick, hitting 60mph in just over eight seconds and delivering 150-plus bhp.

It looks the SUV part with a muscular stance and full LED headlamps, while the interior is also impressive with a roomy cabin, much improved fixtures and fitting and cutting edge technology. 

Centrepiece is the 10.1 inch colour touchscreen which is the brains of the car, controlling navigation, connectivity and infotainment while also standard is wireless mobile phone charging. It also features the MG iSMART app you can pre-start the climate control system to cool or heat the car, and also schedule battery charging. 

There are three specifications, SE, Trophy and Trophy Connect driven here, with either the 51.1 kWh or 72.6 kWh battery, the lesser battery still has a claimed maximum range of just shy of 200 miles according to WLTP figures.

But like other electric models, get up to motorway speeds with the wipers and lights on the go and the range plummets alarmingly.

 All models are well equipped with a 360-degree parking camera, air con, cruise control, USB connectivity with Bluetooth, electric windows and door mirrors, LED daytime running lights and a host of other goodies.

 The Trophy model adds a couple of grand to the price and more bells and whistles with updated 10.1 inch floating colour touchscreen.

The interior is much more upmarket, with this model offering heated, leather-style powered front seat and multi-adjustable front passenger seat, new piano key buttons and better quality trim, fixtures and fittings. 

Seats are supportive and there is excellent head and legroom for a car of its dimensions and all round vision is also good. Stowage space is impressive with a deep split-level boot offering a huge 470 litres.

It is a pleasant car to drive, a smooth and comfortable ride, with passengers well insulated from road and wind noise.

There is plenty of safety kit, including full complement of airbags, electronic stability programme, assisted emergency braking and hill launch assist. 

There’s no doubt that MG’s growing success will continue with an ever-improving range and more models coming on stream. Add to that a hugely attractive price tag and that seven-year warranty.

Factfile

MG ZS EV Trophy Connect

Price: 33,495

Mechanical: 151bhp, 72 kWh electric motor driving front wheels via auto gearbox

Max speed: 109mph

0-60mph: 8.2 seconds

Range: 273 miles (WLTP)

Insurance group: 11

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles