Is an electric hot hatch a match for a petrol one?
Pictures: Pete Gibson
ELECTRIC cars are now in a position to offer a genuine alternative to combustion-engined models in a wide variety of classes. But when it comes to performance cars, many buyers still need to be convinced that an EV can offer the same kind of thrills that a petrol-powered alternative is able to deliver.
For a hot hatchback, electric drive has its plus points. With lots of instant power on tap, a compact electric motor seems like a good fit, but this is offset by the weight of the battery in a relatively compact package, which makes it difficult for an EV to deliver the kind of nimble handling that the best hot hatchbacks offer.
MG is tapping into the sector with the new MG4 XPower. It’s the most powerful MG yet (until the Cyberster arrives) and gets four-wheel drive designed to help it deliver fun handling. To see if the new EV is on the right track, we’re comparing it with the Cupra Leon. This 2.0-litre turbocharged front-wheel-drive petrol machine is about as traditional as a hot hatch as it gets. Does that give it a natural advantage?
WHAT IS A REAL-WORLD ROAD TEST?
THE Auto Express Real-World Road Test subjects the latest cars to our rigorous assessment processes, which are focused on buyers’ needs.
We consider the merits of each car, not only the way that it drives, but also every aspect important to owners, from the space inside to the usability of infotainment systems.
Equally importantly, we give you a clearer indication than ever of how much you can expect to pay if you place an order today, thanks to our in-depth number crunching.
NEW CAR
MG4 EV XPower
Price: £36,495
Powertrain: 2x e-motors, 429bhp0-62mph: 3.7 secondsTest efficiency: 3.3mi/kWh
CO2: 0g/km
Annual VED: £0
RIVAL
Cupra Leon VZ2 Design Edition
Price: £40,950
Powertrain: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 296bhp
0-62mph: 5.7 secondsTest efficiency: 29.8mpg/6.6mpl
CO2: 173g/km
Annual VED: £570
MG4 EV XPower
MODEL TESTED: MG4 EV XPower
PRICE: £36,495 POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motors, 429bhp
WE’RE fans of the standard MG4 because it’s one of the best-value ways to get into electric-vehicle ownership. Does the package still stack up when it’s sprinkled with a bit of hot-hatch magic? At £36,495, it undercuts the Cupra Leon by £4,455.
Tech highlights
ONE change that MG has made to turn the MG4 into a hot hatch is to more than double
