Southern View: July 11, 2024

8
Thursday July 11 2024
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
MG4 X-Power potent but lacking polish
THE X-POWER is the wild child
hot EV hatch in the MG4 range
that has a bit of larrikin thrown
into the mix, adding intrigue
and excitement to its multidimensional
personality.
The adrenalin charged,
X-Power is easily the fastest and
most potent production MG ever.
It is capable of knocking out the
0-100km/h dash in a vivid 3.8
seconds, boasting dual-motor
power of 320kW and 600Nm of
torque all for $69,990.
It’s a performance car steal even
in a post Clean Car Discount
world. Nine months ago it would
have attracted a healthy $7015
rebate, meaning you could have
driven away in this barnstormer
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
for an absurdly cheap $62,975.
Specification enhancements
include orange brake calipers, a
two-tone black roof, 18-inch alloy
wheels and polished trim accents,
and an exclusive attention
grabbing new Hunter Green
colour option that the test vehicle
sported.
Not only is this compact fivedoor
hatch quick, it’s also a fast
charger capable of recharging at
up to 140kW, in a charge time of
only 26 minutes from 10-80 per
cent using a 150kW DC rapid
charger.
The X-Power is equipped
with an all-new dual motor
configuration delivering up to
320 action packed kilowatts of
Ratings out of 10: Performance 9; Handling 7; Build Quality
7; Comfort 7; Passenger and Load Space 7; Styling 7; Value
for money 9; Safety – Five Star ANCAP crash rating.
Overall points out of 10: 8
peak performance to all four
wheels, via front (150kW) and
rear (170kW) electric motors.
Its accelerative powers are
remarkable with throttle
response both breathtaking and
instant.
Tyre rumble, especially on
coarse road surfaces, becomes
especially niggly on longer trips.
Apart from this irritation, it’s
smooth and silent around town,
ticking even more boxes for an
already appealing vehicle.
The claimed 450km plus allelectric
driving range shrinks
rapidly if you binge on the
X-Power’s addictive performance.
A modern and thoughtfully
designed cabin is well
put together but given its
performance hero status in the
MG family, the interior doesn’t
have the expected X-factor.
On the outside, the generic EV
styling looks far too much like its
mainstream siblings. A bit more
X-factor wouldn’t go amiss here
either.
The X-Power has almost every
technology base is covered.
I especially liked the clever
dual-screen technology with
configurable driver display,
featuring a floating infotainment
screen, and an audio system with
Apple Car Play and Android
Auto.
A rotary dial gear selector is
intuitive and easy to use, while
getting to where you want to
go is made easy with satellite
navigation.
The MG Pilot system makes
a compelling safety statement
off the back of a comprehensive
package of standard safety kit.
The test car felt super solid,
agile and stable on the road and
body roll is superbly contained
under brisk cornering.
Direct and well-weighted
steering with just the right
balance of road feel, rounds
things out nicely. However, as
an overall ride and handling
package it falls short of the best
hyper hot hatches, although you
have to cut the X-Power a little
slack as most of are priced well
north of this one.
Even making those allowances,
more finessing is required to take
some of the edge off the hard
low-speed ride. Another work-on
is dialling back the suspension
noise that’s fairly strident over
more demanding patchwork and
potholed road surfaces that ask
the hard questions of a vehicle’s
suspension.
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
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- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz