MG versus Volkswagen is hardly the most storied rivalry. For the 85 years they've co-existed, the two have kept out of one another's way, the British marque has built its reputation in sports cars, and the German marque staying true to its name. At most, we've had the odd skirmish. Remember the ZR hot hatch? It was better than its gussied-up Rover 25 looks suggested, making it an interesting alternative to the Mk5 Golf GTI. And perhaps, in the 1980s, certain Austins cunningly rebadged as MGs were targeted at more successful Wolfsburg products. However, they felt more homage than hit job. The Montego even used a Volkswagen gearbox and the Maestro's front-axle design was pinched from the Golf. Phoney war, if anything.
However, in 2022, the relationship shifts dramatically and becomes all the juicier, because the new, Chinese-built MG 4 EV isn't some esoteric alternative to the popular Volkswagen ID 3, and neither is it a shameless copycat. This time round it really is an attempt at a cold-blooded hit job on the car that today sits centrally in Volkswagen's spiritual heartland.
MG's electric family hatch is not only interesting to look at but on paper matches the ID 3 in all key areas except value for money, where and there's no other way to put this it monsters its quarry. This feels like the moment when MG truly arrives in its modern guise, post-collapse MG Rover having been bought in 2005 by Nanjing Automobile Corporation, which was then bought by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. SAIC initially tried to revive the TF but later realized that, if anything, it was value-driven electric cars that were going to provide the breakthrough. The 4 gives it lift-off.
Denne historien er fra September 21, 2022-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 21, 2022-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal