MG4 XPOWER electric hot hatch has scope for more performance

The new 2023 MG4 XPOWER electric hot hatch has been revealed with a bahnstorming 320kW/600Nm dual-motor powertrain that propels it to 100km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds, making it the quickest and most powerful MG to date – but it has the potential to be even spicier.

Known as the MG Mulan in China, where it produces an extra 10kW and is already on sale, the MG4 XPOWER was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed overnight ahead of its Australian launch later this year.

Speaking to carsales at SAIC Motor headquarters in Shanghai, the MG4’s electric powertrain engineer Wang Jian confirmed the all-wheel drive XPOWER’s twin e-motor system could be blessed with even more grunt.

As well as the extra 10kW that appears to be available based on Chinese specifications, Wang Jian said maximum torque could be raised beyond the current 600Nm ceiling.

“I can put more,” he said.

When asked how much more, Jian nominated 25Nm, adding that acceleration would also improve, lowering the 0-100km/h time by a tenth of a second, to 3.7sec.

“Just a little bit, not a lot. Based on current voltage, this is the biggest one [torque increase available]. This 25 [Nm] is based on the cooling system,” he said.

“But next generation we think about high-voltage systems, like 800-voltage systems.”

The MG4 is currently based on a 400V electrical system, however MG executives have previously said the hatchback could be upgraded to 800V, as found on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform underpinning the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6 and others.

The MG4’s current platform and electrical architecture enables rapid charging at up to 150kW, but 800V should push this up to at least 350kW.

The MG4 also offers vehicle-to-load capability, enabling devices such as laptops to be recharged, while the battery capacity is currently 77kWh. (The XPOWER will rely on a 64kWh battery, according to Australian homologation data.)

As well as quicker charging, the upgraded platform and related improvements in battery and e-motor tech will provide greater scope for MG engineers to boost performance and range.

Jian explained that MG currently uses either oil-cooled or water-cooled systems for its electric motors, with the dual-motor MG4 XPOWER – which has a 150kW/250Nm motor up front and a 170kW/350Nm unit at the rear – using water cooling.

He said oil cooling was only required if an electric motor develops more than 200kW, as seen in higher-performing EVs in the SAIC Motor family, such as the 425kW/725Nm M LS7 SUV and IM L7 sedan.

A dual-motor flagship version of the incoming MG Cyberster sports car is also expected to produce 400kW.

MG Motor’s head of battery development Ge Hailong also told carsales that the company was working on both solid-state and half-solid-state battery technology, which will bring advantages such as quicker charging, longer range and lighter weight.

He said this could bring DC fast-charging up to 600kW, allowing the battery to be recharged from 0-80 per cent in “less than 15 minutes” – or even quicker, “maybe about 10 minutes”.

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