So, in their latest feature, the MG4 XPower went up against the seemingly immortal R35 Nissan GT-R and a previously top-tier supercar, the V10-powered Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Surprises abounded back then, and if you want this to happen again, it's time for Mat Watson to call upon a meeting of the ages. If you want that, a review would be more focused and true, as the good folks over at 'carwow' on this occasion only care about the entertainment value of this MG4 XPower EV in a series of drag and roll races, plus a brake test.Īctually, this is the second time they are indulging in such shenanigans, after first pitting the surprisingly good British-Chinese EV against the much more expensive Audi e-Tron GT. This dual-motor AWD performance variant was launched this summer, and of course, people are curious about its actual performance in a real-world environment. But the company also has an ace up its sleeve, called the MG4 XPower, a sort of hot hatchback with 320 kW (435 ps/429 hp) and a sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) in just 3.8 seconds – a veritable EV hot hatch. Well, it comes with Standard (LFP), Long, and Extended Range (all with NMC chemistry) versions with 51, 64, and 77 kWh battery packs and up to 241 horsepower plus 320-mile (520 km) ranges. MG sells many quirky models today, including the MG4 EV introduced in Europe last summer. From then on, through careful investments, sales have soared from less than 1,000 units in 2012. Aside from the political implications (remember the affairs between the Brits and the Chinese in Hong Kong?), this is the successor to the failed MG Rover Group, which was divested in 2005.īack then, the MG marque and its Longbridge plant were acquired for petty cash (£53 million – less than $100 million) by Chinese automaker Nanjing Automobile – and SAIC Motor quickly engulfed the latter in 2007. If the R34 can run the quarter-mile in 11 seconds at this stage, it could do it in 10 seconds with a PPG sequential gearbox.The British MG brand is now an automotive company owned by SAIC Motor UK, a London-based subsidiary of Shanghai-based Chinese (state-owned) automaker SAIC Motor. And I wouldn't be surprised if the gearbox needs a quick service after what it has been through. After two runs, Godzilla has to admit defeat. We all know the R35 is a master of this craft, and there's no way its predecessor can get a clean start. With that out of the way, the two GT-Rs line up for the conventional drag racing format. With so much power on tap, I'm sure its owner can find a much more capable gearbox if he wants to squeeze every bit of performance out of his vehicle. The two cars are neck-and-neck on the second run, but it's obvious the transmission on the R34 is acting up again. One mistake later, he can no longer keep up with the black GT-R. The R35 sprints into the lead from the get-go, and you can see the driver of the R34 is struggling with every gear shift. The rolling race is the day's first challenge, as this avoids any drivetrain failures early on in the game. If you disregard this aspect, the R34 should theoretically crush its rival to the quarter-mile (402 meters). It might have to deal with an extra 440 lbs (200 kg) but also uses a modern dual-clutch transmission to optimize straight-line performance. This one only has a light tune, as some would describe it.īut even so, it should still be good for around 700 horsepower. Next to it, it's the more modern R35 GT-R. Reportedly, it has a maximum output of 900 horsepower and only weighs 3,395 lbs (1,540 kg). In one corner, we're looking at a wild R34 GT-R with a fully built 2.8-liter RB engine and a massive G40-1150 turbocharger. But you might be delusional if you think you can keep up with a modern automatic transmission.īased on this idea, I estimated the outcome of the following drag race. My point is that manual gearboxes are fun and thrilling to drive. It won't be perfect enjoy it the way it is." Of course, I've already found the parts I need to restore my gearbox to its former glory, but the operation could be challenging. The last time I complained about this grinding to a mechanic, he stared at me and said: "Your car is 30 years old.
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