Skip advert
Advertisement
News

New 2023 MG4 XPower arrives as 429bhp electric hot hatch

The MG4 XPower is the firm’s most powerful road car yet, with a host of engineering upgrades to kick start MG’s performance car revival

MG has already given the EV establishment plenty to think about with the affordable, dynamically accomplished MG4 hatch, and now it has its sights set on the electric hot hatch market with this: the MG4 XPower. Along with the Cyberster sports car, the newcomer aims to reignite MG’s credentials as a performance car manufacturer, arriving as the firm’s most powerful production car to date. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Underpinned by MG’s MSP architecture, the XPower uses an uprated dual-motor setup that generates 429bhp and 442lb ft of torque, with the front and rear units contributing 201bhp and 228bhp respectively. With a new torque distribution control system and the inclusion of an electronic locking differential, the XPower deploys its power more efficiently than the standard MG4 for a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds when using launch control. MG’s engineers have also reworked the 4’s regenerative braking system to allow for one-pedal driving.

> MG Cyberster 2023 review – is it a true sports car?

The XPower treatment also extends to the chassis, which receives new suspension components for tauter responses. Revised spring and damper tuning combines with new anti-roll bars for a 25 per cent increase in overall stiffness, with recalibrated steering to suit. The brakes, meanwhile, have been upgraded with ventilated 345mm discs at each corner.

Predictably, the greater energy demands of the new dual-motor setup impacts range compared to the less powerful MG4 Trophy; the latter achieves 281 miles compared with the XPower’s 239-mile figure using the same 64kWh battery pack. Still, 150kW rapid charging capability enables a 10-80 per cent top up in 35 minutes.

Going on sale this month from £36,495, the MG4 XPower gets a selection of subtle design tweaks along with the extra performance. Orange brake calipers, a black roof and new 18-inch alloy wheels are the most notable changes, along with a new matte-finish Racing Green paint colour exclusive to the XPower.

The cabin is largely familiar too, with the same general layout centred around a 10.25-inch touchscreen mounted to the dash. The XPower will get grippier Alcantara sports seats and aluminium pedal plates for a sportier ambience, though.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E looks like a concept, but you can actually buy one
Renault 5 Turbo 3E – front
News

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E looks like a concept, but you can actually buy one

The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a 533bhp, rear-drive revival of one of the world’s most iconic hot hatches, limited to 1980 units
17 Mar 2025
Lexus RZ 550e F-Sport has 402bhp and totally virtual steering
Lexus RZ550e front
News

Lexus RZ 550e F-Sport has 402bhp and totally virtual steering

A first for Europe as a car that uses steer-by-wire tech, with no physical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels
11 Mar 2025
Alpine A290 v Alpine A110 – how much DNA do they really share?
Alpine A290 v Alpine A110
Group tests

Alpine A290 v Alpine A110 – how much DNA do they really share?

Alpine would like us to believe that the A290 shares much of the same DNA that makes the A110 a great driver’s car. Time to put that claim to the test
8 Mar 2025
Electric Alpine A110: exclusive details on the Porsche Cayman EV rival
Alpine A110
News

Electric Alpine A110: exclusive details on the Porsche Cayman EV rival

The end is in sight for the Alpine A110 in its current form, but an electric version is just around the corner to take on Porsche’s Cayman EV
6 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ferrari 296 Challenge 2025 review – Maranello's hybrid supercar goes V6-only
Ferrari 296 Challenge
Reviews

Ferrari 296 Challenge 2025 review – Maranello's hybrid supercar goes V6-only

Stripped of the road car’s heavy and complex hybrid technology, Ferrari’s entry-level competition car provides a glimpse of an alternative universe
15 Mar 2025
New Mercedes CLA revealed – BMW 2-series rival packs EV and hybrid power
2025 Mercedes CLA front
News

New Mercedes CLA revealed – BMW 2-series rival packs EV and hybrid power

Mercedes’ junior four-door saloon will reappear in its third iteration in 2025, with electric and AMG guises to follow
13 Mar 2025
Porsche's EV U-turn means more new petrol cars and hybrids are coming
2025 Porsche 911 GT3
News

Porsche's EV U-turn means more new petrol cars and hybrids are coming

The 911 will get even more exclusive and desirable variants with increased customisability going forward
12 Mar 2025