MG EX4 electric hyper hatch revealed at Goodwood
High-performance EV concept pumps out a Mercedes-AMG A 45-slaying 320kW of powerGnarly. It’s the only way to describe the rally-inspired MG4 EX4 hyper hatch concept car revealed at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK today.
Wrapped in an eye-popping aero package, the all-electric, all-wheel drive hatchback belts out no less than 320kW of power and 600Nm of torque from its dual e-motors.
MG says that sends it to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds – 0.1sec sooner than the Mercedes-AMG A45 S… but it’s not as quick as the wild new 478kW Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, which is claimed to small down a supercar-like 3.4sec 0-100km/h dash.
The MG EX4’s powertrain is pilfered from the production version MG4 XPOWER hyper hatch, which is set to arrive in Australia later in 2023 and will itself out-power and out-muscle far more expensive hot hatches like Audi RS 3 (294kW/500Nm) and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S (310kW/500Nm).
Brandishing extreme aero body work inspired by equal parts time-attack and world rally cars, the EX4 concept’s bodacious lawn-trimming front spoiler, drag-reducing tarmac rally-style wheel covers and jet fighter-like rear wing all communicate one thing: look at me.
In theory, they should also improve downforce and grip levels, but in reality they probably just add weight.
With its Group B rally car-like exterior design – including a wider body wrapped around a broader wheel track, a huge rear splitter, beefy side skirts and green dayglo decals – the intent is to pay homage to the MG Metro 6R4 rally car from the early 1980s.
That car was powered by a mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 and MG’s London-based design team has built this feral EV to celebrate the Metro 6R4’s 40th anniversary while highlighting the now Chinese-owned brand’s motorsport provenance.
Given its aggressive front splitter, it’s unlikely the MG EX4 will become a production car, at least as it stands.
More likely is that it will inspire a special-edition version of the MG4 XPOWER with a lower ride height, more sporting suspension and potentially bigger brakes to make it battle-ready for racetrack action.
Related: MG4 X-POWER electric hot hatch has scope for more performance
Related: MG EX4 prototype teased as a reborn Metro 6R4
Related: 320kW MG4 XPOWER revealed ahead of Goodwood debut
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