MG: No V8 planned like GWM
PHEV tech can deliver tyre-frying power and MG is 'not interested' in a rumbling V8 powertrainMG won’t be dabbling in V8 firepower any time soon – if ever – according to the Chinese brand’s local boss, who says plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are capable of generating high outputs and are the best option for Australians right now.
Unlike fellow Chinese manufacturer GWM, which turned heads at last month’s Shanghai motor show when it unveiled a stonking 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 hybrid powertrain, MG is comfortable with its strategy of offering smaller-capacity internal combustion engines bolstered by plug-in electric power.
“No, no, no, we’re not interested,” MG Australia chief executive Peter Ciao told carsales when asked if MG would consider offering a high-capacity V8 engine like GWM.
“GWM has developed engines over a long time; you need five years. They are launching [the V8] in this moment but I trust the plan came from three or five years ago,” he said.
According to Ciao, plug-in hybrid technology is still largely misunderstood, by customers as well as vehicle manufacturers.
“[The] plug-in hybrid platform, people don’t really understand. Even for the auto companies, how to use this power. It doesn’t matter if you have a V6 or V8 engine, everything is for performance.”
Ciao says the same levels of performance can be offered by a PHEV powertrain, whilst offering the benefits of improved fuel efficiency.
“A traditional performance car is based on a bigger petrol engine but in the future it is not. The engine is limited size but you still can get 5.0-litre or 6.0-litre engine performance [from a PHEV],” he said.
MG is yet to offer a true high-performance plug-in hybrid vehicle, however, the inbound MG HS Super Hybrid mid-size SUV will help pave the way when it arrives in September as the first model to debut MG’s latest ‘Super Hybrid’ PHEV powertrain.
It combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a 135kW e-motor and secondary generator motor to offer combined outputs of 220kW/350Nm and a claimed combined fuel consumption of just 0.8L/100km.
Meanwhile, a 24.7kWh lithium-ion (LFP) battery is claimed to offer 120km of pure electric driving range.
The larger three-row QS SUV is next in line to get the improved Super Hybrid PHEV system.
“Every day I think about the question: what kind of car is perfect for Australia? I always think about this,” said Ciao.
“I think right now, PHEV is the best option for the Australian market.”
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