The Hyde formula

At the time we tested our first MG 4 in 2023, the dealer described it as a ‘hot hatch’. Was it a misnomer? Yes, the electric powertrain meant the 4 could sprint away from the lights more quickly than most things with a petrol engine, and it certainly acquitted itself on the windy roads we threw it on, more so than the old 6 (which we quite liked as a driver’s car).

You felt that MG was holding back on the really cooking 4s, something that has been remedied with the MG 4 XPower, the true hot hatch entry. Electric motors on the front and rear axles with a 64 kWh (61·8 kWh net) battery pack, 435 PS at 600 Nm, reaching the legal limit in 3·8 s. Stiffer springs and ventiled disc brakes front and rear. Stiffer roll bars. Torque vectoring. On paper, this was shaping up to be quite a treat.

Externally, there changes are very subtle. The orange calipers on the brakes are probably the most distinctive detail other than the Hunter Green Satin shade that’s unique to the XPower. The alloys’ pattern is more aggressive and sporting than the regular 4’s. There are chrome effects at the base of the doors and the front spoiler. But there’s not even an XPower badge. It’s ‘MG 4 Electric’ just like the base model.

Inside, the seat material differs, with Alcantara giving a smooth effect, and the pedals are metallic with cut-outs, but the infotainment system is familiar, as is the driver’s display.

It begs the question: what is a hot hatch? The XPower has all the credentials but there’s not that much screaming them to the outside world. In fact, the outside world might be forgiven into thinking that XPower was merely a light appearance package, like all the ‘Line’ models appearing in Europe. Don’t want the responsibility and insurance premiums of the cooking model but like the looks? Sport Line, S Line, RS Line, Esprit Alpine—they solve that issue. And maybe that’s the point: a generation ago cars would be badged to show off where in the pecking order they were. Everyone knew if you had a GLS or a Ghia. Today, we don’t shame someone for choosing a base model. Therefore, the sportiest, most powerful MG 4 looks subdued, showing its muscles under the suit—but it doesn’t blatantly take its top off. We like to think we live in a fairer, more accepting era—in most of the world, anyway.

XPower is an interesting choice of name, considering that it adorned the wildest of MGs before the end of UK ownership in 2005: the Italian-made, Qvale Mangusta-based SV. Here, the wildness is gone, and even that 435 PS is delivered in safe, comfortable fashion. The tyres are Michelin E Primacy 18-inchers, not exactly a performance tyre, but a decent, eco-responsible set.

Four-wheel drive gives it a safe character, and the torque vectoring more than helps. The steering feels slightly heavier but gives the same amount of feel to the driver.

We didn’t pay attention to the launch control that allowed the XPower to hit 100 km/h in 3·8 s, the same as one of our favourite hot hatches, the Audi RS3 Sportback, deeming it to be a feature readers would only try in controlled circumstances, but as a daily driver, the sport mode delivered plenty of oomph. Acceleration was very good but there is an overall safeness about the XPower. We wouldn’t say that it’s a Q car, more one with Jekyll and Hyde personalities: it can be a family hatch most of the time, and Hyde would occasionally be unleashed when you need the power, such as during necessary overtaking. Once done it would return dutifully to family mode.

If a hot hatch is one which has these dual roles, then the 4 XPower fulfils them admirably. If you look back at the origins—the OG, the original Golf GTI, for instance—then that was the whole point. Buyers of the first hot hatches could still have chosen coupés—the MGB, Triumph TR7, the Fiat X1/9—but they wanted practicality. The British response in those days to the Golf GTI were the Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS or the Sunbeam Lotus: rear-wheel-drive and hairy fare with racing ambitions, but practicality nonetheless. And which do we remember of the three? The GTI. It has gone from hot hatch to something heavier (the Golf IV), to something more purposeful again, but in all those years, it has had those dual personalities. Ditto its sisters, the Audi S3 and RS3. The MG 4 XPower is bang on.

You lose some range when you’re accelerating hard, but then you aren’t choosing the XPower for range (even though the claimed 385 km is still respectable). You are choosing it to unleash power when you want it. The only question remaining, then, is how much fun do you expect to have.

For the XPower goes back to Dr Jekyll mode quickly. For a lot of drivers, that’s perfect. Others, who want to have their senses heightened on every drive, might need to try the Germans—but then they wouldn’t be doing the environment any favours.

Which, then, to choose? We already stated that we love the base model for being a competent, excellent-handling EV. But a very different buyer will want the XPower, the one that expects some regular B-road action, needs safe overtaking, and occasional bursts of joy—but ultimately wishes for safe, tailpipe-emission-free conveyance.

If it were our money, we’d go for the MG. •

 
Jack Yan is founder and publisher of Lucire.

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