MG has unveiled a new dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version of the MG4 hatchback, which, with just under 450hp and 600Nm of torque, will be the most powerful road car to ever wear the octagon badge.
High-performance variant
The MG Mulan Triumph Edition (as the new flagship MG4 is known in China) can, according to its maker, hit 100km/h from a standstill in 3.8 seconds, putting performance on a par with hot hatches such as the Audi RS 3, and, perhaps more pertinently, putting the MG firmly in Tesla territory.
Using the same 64kWh battery pack as the top-of-the-line single-motor version of the MG4, the Triumph Edition can, the company said, manage up to 460km between charges on China's Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). If it arrives here, expect a slightly lower figure on the stricter WLTP.
Some of the performance tweaks on the Triumph Edition compared to the lesser single-motor models include torque vectoring, "high-performance" brake calipers painted in orange and 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels shod in 235/45 R18 Bridgestone tyres. Inside it's a little sportier, too, with both the steering wheel and six-way adjustable sports seats finished in Alcantara.
Is it coming to Ireland?
As to whether the MG4 Triumph Edition could make it to this part of the world, that's certainly a possibility judging by comments made to the magazine Auto Express by MG's commercial director in the UK, Guy Pigounakis.
"We're bringing out a high-performance version of MG4 in about six months [i.e., in early-to-mid 2023]," he said.
"It gives us the option of erring on the side of comfort with the standard car because of the very high-performance, twin-motor derivative."
While that indicates that there'll almost certainly be a right-hand-drive version of the Triumph Edition reaching the UK, as to whether it'll make the final hop across the Irish Sea remains to be seen. If it does reach Europe though, don't expect it to be called the Triumph Edition - that would cause problems with BMW, which currently owns to the rights to the old Triumph brand, MG's one-time sports car rival.
Possible clues about the Cyberster
Speaking of sports cars, the Triumph Edition's dual-motor powertrain may give a tantalising clue to MG's planned sports car, currently dubbed the Cyberster, but more likely to be called something along the lines of the MGC EV.
The scissor-doored Cyberster will, reportedly, be based on the same Nebula platform as the MG 4, and given that the company has said that the Cyberster will also be four-wheel drive, if the performance of the Triumph Edition is anything to go by, expect a very quick car if or when MG launches its first roadster since the demise of the ancient TF in 2011.
As for the standard MG4, expect first deliveries in Ireland of MG's rival to the Volkswagen ID.3 towards the end of the year, with more due to dock in early 2023.