Peter Lyon
January 2, 2024
It’s official. The legendary British brand MG Motor will make a long-awaited comeback in Malaysia over the next few months, albeit now under the ownership of the Chinese state-owned SAIC group.
For Malaysian fans, MG needs no introduction as the illustrious brand has been gracing our highways for over 70 years. Nevertheless, as we mentioned above, the MG of today is a totally different brand to what we once knew—with new owners and new designs. As a result, the majority of MG’s current models are constructed on shared platforms, or rebadged versions of existing SAIC vehicles.
As many enthusiasts will remember, MG was known for its performance-oriented sports models, with the vast majority of variants being sold under the Rover brand. Today, the brand offers a wide range of models, from compact hatchbacks to sports cars, with options for ICE, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains.
However, MG has not revealed exactly which models will be landing on Malaysian shores, although test mules for the MG4 EV have been spotted on city streets completing final testing for local roads. One source suggests that the brand may only offer EVs here.
The MG4 EV is produced in MG’s production site in Thailand. Its single rear motor produces 170 hp and 250 Nm or torque, and its 51 kWh battery pack delivers up to 425 km of range (NEDC), which is around 380 in the real world. With an on-board 4.4 kW AC charger, charging takes 8.5 hours, and using an 88 kW DC fast charger, it takes 35 minutes to juice up from 10% to 80%.
The vehicle is also offered with a more potent 204 hp motor option and a larger 64 kWh battery pack in China. The MG4 EV XPower in the UK, on the other hand, is even more intriguing. Equipped with a dual-motor powertrain producing 435 horsepower and 600 Nm, this hatchback can jump from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds!
In addition to the MG4 EV, the MG ZS is another vehicle that is expected to join the local lineup in Malaysia. The compact crossover, which is also available in an EV version, has a 403 km (NEDC) driving range thanks to a single front-mounted 177 hp electric motor and a 50.3 kWh battery pack.
OUR THOUGHTS
Having done a trip to the UK last year, my British colleagues were raving about the design, quality, handling, range and price of the new MG4 EV and others so we have much to look forward to. Watch this space for further updates.
