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The MG4 is now open for reserving, lastly placing to relaxation rumours of MG’s Malaysian entry which have been kicking round since no less than early 2020. It’s coming with some engaging pricing too, pitting this Euro-centric electrical hatchback in opposition to one other aquatic-themed five-door.
That’s proper – MG isn’t pulling any punches with the MG4, pricing it inside 1000’s of the BYD Dolphin. As such, it’s sure to be a troublesome battle between the 2 Chinese language hatches (sure, MG is a UK model, nevertheless it’s owned by China’s largest carmaker SAIC), so learn on to learn the way these two stack up.
Pricing – MG4 prices extra, however not by a lot
We solely have estimated pricing for the MG4 for now, however from what we will inform, will probably be a really aggressive proposition, ranging from simply over the RM100,000 mark. The figures are as follows:
- MG4 Commonplace – RM104,000
- MG4 Lux – RM129,000
- MG4 Lux Prolonged Vary – RM149,000
- MG4 XPower – RM159,000
If we take the numbers at face worth, which means each the Commonplace and Lux variants shall be inside RM4,000 of the BYD Dolphin Dynamic Commonplace Vary (RM100,530) and Premium Prolonged Vary (RM125,530) respectively. There are two extra higher-end variants with extra energy and a bigger battery – together with the high-performance XPower, which we’ll come to later.
Dimensions – nearer than anticipated
The MG4 is a traditional (albeit electrified) C-segment hatchback, very a lot within the vein of the Volkswagen Golf and its a lot nearer electrical rival, the ID.3. Against this, the Dolphin is a tall and slim hatch, much like the dearly-departed Honda Jazz. So these two must be as completely different as chalk and cheese.
Besides they’re not – in opposition to the measuring tape, the MG4 and Dolphin are mere millimetres aside in some areas. Certain, there are apparent variations – the MG4 is 66 mm wider and decrease. However its wheelbase is barely 4 millimetres longer and it’s truly shaded by the Dolphin when it comes to size, if solely by three millimetres. There’s actually nothing in it.
By advantage of getting much less to work with vertically, the MG4 feels noticeably much less roomy on the within in comparison with the Dolphin, nevertheless it does eke out a slight benefit when it comes to boot house, carrying an additional 18 litres. Neither automobile gives a entrance boot, which is very poor for the MG4, provided that it’s rear-wheel drive.
Efficiency and vary – MG4 goes a lot sooner and additional, however you’ll must pay extra
One take a look at the spec sheet and also you’ll realise the MG4 is extra of a “correct automobile” than the Dolphin, particularly the place the bottom fashions are involved. Simply RM4,000 extra buys you a automobile that makes not far off double the quantity of energy at 170 PS; it additionally produces significantly extra torque at 250 Nm.
It’s no shock, then, that the MG4 Commonplace wipes the ground with the Dolphin Dynamic Commonplace Vary, taking practically 5 seconds out of the zero to 100 km/h acceleration, which it completes in a relatively swift 7.5 seconds. The additional efficiency does imply it wants a considerably bigger 51 kWh battery to realize simply barely extra vary at 350 km on the WLTP cycle.
The MG4 Lux and Dolphin Premium Prolonged Vary are far nearer when it comes to specs, each making simply over 200 PS. However with 60 Nm additional, it’s truly the BYD that’s faster, shaving seven tenths of a second off the century dash (seven seconds flat). Additionally they have related battery sizes of round 60 kWh and journey over 400 km on a single cost, the MG4 edging the Dolphin at 435 km. The bigger, heavier battery explains why Lux is definitely slower to 100 km/h than the Commonplace.
Whereas the Dolphin vary stops there, the MG4 has two extra variants, beginning with the Lux Prolonged. This boosts the rear motor to 245 PS and 350 Nm of torque, attending to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, whereas its 77 kWh battery helps ship a powerful 520 km of vary. It’ll be fairly a bit dearer, nevertheless, costing a RM20,000 premium over the Lux.
However the one you’ll really need is the XPower. That is the one dual-motor all-wheel-drive mannequin on this record, producing a stout 435 PS and 600 Nm and flinging itself to 100 km/h in simply 3.8 seconds. Nevertheless, it solely has the middling 64 kWh battery, so its vary is a mere 385 km. Nonetheless, at simply RM10,000 greater than the Lux Prolonged, the XPower represents a severe efficiency cut price – a BYD Seal Efficiency AWD, which will get to 100 km/h in precisely the identical period of time, is RM40,000 dearer.
Charging – swings and roundabouts
At first look, it will seem that the MG4 would stroll all around the Dolphin in terms of charging. On the spec sheet, MG lists charging occasions with a 150 kW DC quick charger – far greater than what the Dolphin helps in both Dynamic Commonplace Vary (60 kW) or Premium Prolonged Vary (80 kW) kinds.
However look carefully and a few issues don’t add up – most notably the truth that the MG4 Commonplace prices slower from 10 to 80%, although it has a smaller battery. Certain sufficient, we did some digging and located that the Commonplace solely helps as much as 117 kW of quick charging, taking 37 minutes to high up the battery. That’s only one minute faster than the Dolphin Dynamic Commonplace Vary, and you’ll blame the MG4 Commonplace’s bigger battery for that.
The opposite variants of the MG4 can settle for as much as 135 kW, shortening charging occasions to 26 minutes for the 64 kWh battery and 38 minutes for the 77 kWh model. This compares favourably to the Dolphin Premium Prolonged Vary, which takes 40 minutes to cost its smaller 60 kWh battery.
As for AC charging, each the MG4 and Dolphin are disappointing as they solely have 7 kW single-phase onboard chargers. Charging the MG from 10 to 100% with a wallbox takes eight hours for the Commonplace, 8.5 hours for the Lux and XPower and ten hours for the Lux Prolonged. In the meantime, a full cost for the Dolphin Dynamic Commonplace Vary takes seven hours and 18 minutes; BYD doesn’t quote charging occasions for the Premium Prolonged Vary with a 7 kW OBC.
As we talked about final week with the Seal, you may solely obtain the quickest cost speeds with both a 7 kW single-phase or 22 kW three-phase wallbox charger. Should you use an 11 kW three-phase charger pondering it’ll be sooner, the OBC will step down to three.7 kW most, doubling the cost time in comparison with a technically slower 7 kW charger. Electrical automobiles with a three-phase OBC aren’t affected by this difficulty.
Guarantee – MG4 beats Dolphin for basic protection
Whereas BYD’s guarantee protection is likely one of the longest within the business, it’s been crushed by MG. The MG4 gives a seven-year basic guarantee, one yr longer than the Dolphin, though the mileage cap is identical at 150,000 km. The battery guarantee is identical size at eight years, however MG gives a better cap of 180,000 km as an alternative of 150,000 km (BYD additionally has an eight-year/150,000 km drive unit guarantee).
Provided that we’re nonetheless a methods away from the launch, MG hasn’t launched any data on upkeep prices, packages or schedules. Alternatively, BYD sells numerous service packages to maintain you in its after-sales community, comparable to a Commonplace package deal that features single-speed transmission oil servicing, air-con filter replacements and refrigerant servicing, brake fluid servicing and motor coolant servicing. That is priced at RM1,688 for 3 years, RM3,888 for six years and RM4,888 for eight years.
Alternatively, you should buy a Plus package deal that throws in replacements for wipers, washer fluid, distant management and 12V batteries, and brake pads and discs. That is fairly expensive, weighing in RM7,888 for six years and RM12,888 for eight years.
What else?
Each fashions supply loads of worth on your cash, coming with LED lighting, keyless entry, wired Apple CarPlay connectivity and 6 airbags as customary. In contrast with the Dolphin, the MG4 provides 17-inch alloy wheels (versus the Dolphin’s base 16s), wired Android Auto, a bigger seven-inch digital instrument cluster (5 inches for the Dolphin) and a “Whats up MG” voice management system.
Nevertheless, the BYD pulls forward with issues like a bigger 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen (fastened 10.25-inch unit for the MG), six audio system (as an alternative of simply 4), fake leather-based seats and a 360-degree digicam system.
These options – minus the larger touchscreen – are reserved for the MG4 Lux mannequin, which additionally will get full-LED lighting, 18-inch alloys, a powered driver’s seat and a Qi wi-fi charger. The Dolphin Premium Prolonged Vary will get all this (however with smaller 17-inch wheels), however throws on a powered passenger seat, ventilated seats and a panoramic glass roof.
The MG4 Lux Prolonged provides no additional equipment, simply extra energy and vary. Neither does the XPower, however you get some look-faster elements to go together with the additional shove, together with distinctive 18-inch alloys, orange “callipers” (they’re actually simply covers), Alcantara upholstery and metallic pedals. There’s additionally launch management designed to embarrass Porsches off the road. Better of all, neither MG nor BYD have skimped on equipment, each becoming their automobiles with Stage 2 semi-autonomous driving options like adaptive cruise management and lane centring help as customary.
One factor to level out is that the MG4 might be managed by means of an app – one thing the Dolphin doesn’t supply. This provides you the flexibility to watch car knowledge comparable to charging standing utilizing your smartphone. It’s also possible to use the app to unlock the automobile through Bluetooth, however that’s solely on the Lux fashions and up.
We now have but to drive the MG4, however you might be positive we may have our impressions on the location as quickly as we do. Within the meantime, you may learn Anthony’s evaluate of the BYD Dolphin right here.
GALLERY: MG4 Lux in Malaysia
GALLERY: BYD Dolphin Premium Prolonged Vary in Malaysia
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