It has been confirmed that the new MG3 hybrid hatchback will go on sale in Ireland in the coming months, expanding the MG line-up with what is expected to be the most affordable car in the range. Backing up the likely high-value-for-money offering is a new hybrid system MG claims is both more powerful and more efficient than that of key rivals.
Andrew Johnson, National Sales Manager at MG Motor Ireland, said "The brand-new MG3 is poised to lead its segment, thanks to its blend of efficiency and performance delivered by the innovative Hybrid+ powertrain from MG."
Hybrid-only offering
Though the previous-generation MG3 was sold in the UK with a petrol engine, the car coming to Ireland is the successor to that and will only be available with petrol-electric hybrid power. MG calls it "Hybrid+" though it is not a plug-in hybrid. Indeed, this will be the first ever MG to feature such a system and the only MG sold in Ireland that cannot be plugged in. A four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine is at its heart, running the so-called 'Atkinson cycle' (as Toyota does) in a bid for maximum efficiency. Unusually, that's bolted to a three-speed automatic gearbox.
There's also a 100kW electric motor and a separate generator, plus a 1.83kWh battery pack, allowing for a range of different driving modes. When the engine and motor power the front wheels together there's up to 194hp on tap, while maximum torque is believed to be that of the motor, quoted as 250Nm, and the car weighs 1,285kg. MG quotes a 0-100km/h time of eight seconds exactly, suggesting that the MG3 will feel nippy.
More importantly, perhaps (and once WLTP certification is complete), it's likely that the MG3's CO2 emissions rating will be 100g/km, while official fuel consumption is expected to be 4.4 litres/100km.
Two trim levels
While Irish pricing has yet to be announced, MG Ireland has detailed the two trim levels, called Excite and Exclusive. Both get seven-inch digital instrumentation in front of the driver, along with a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. Navigation is standard, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Elsewhere, there's air conditioning, Bluetooth, four USB ports, rear parking sensors and camera, and a suite of active safety features.
The MG3 Exclusive adds keyless entry, heated front seats and steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system and synthetic leather upholstery.
Buyers can choose from a simple palette of colours including white, blue, red, black, silver and grey.
Following its debut at the Geneva motor show today, the MG3 is hoped to arrive in Ireland in time for the "242" registration period beginning in July. We will update this piece with Irish pricing once it has been released.