MG’s performance improvements won’t include new sub-brands

MG is launching more powerful cars in Australia, but not a high-performance sub-brand like the Hyundai N or Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR).

“We have no plans to launch a sub-brand like the (BMW) M brand – we don’t have any plans at the moment,” MG Motor Australia chief commercial officer Giles Belcher said.

MG will launch its first high-performance model in 2023, the XPower version of the MG 4 electric car, with a power of 320kW and a torque of 600Nm, and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

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It recently launched the faster and pricier electric Cyberster sports car, while it also confirmed that two vehicles from SAIC’s IM Motors brand can offer more power and torque.

“The show is interesting now. For example, you look at the performance of EVs (electric vehicles), it changed the whole world of performance cars. I remember 180kW was a very, very hot car at the time,” Mr Belcher said.

“We will certainly have and already have performance cars in our range.

“It comes back to what’s available, whether it fits the product range, the country and the time,” he added, referring to the prospects for performance sub-brands.

“If we thought the time was right and the product was available, we would definitely consider it.”

Although it’s not a sub-brand, MG has used the XPower name on more than one car.

In addition to the MG 4, the brand has also launched a limited-edition XPower version of the mid-sized MG 6 in China.

The plug-in hybrid hatchback is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission, with total system outputs of 224kW and 480Nm, and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.0 seconds.

MG has given the car a host of sporty upgrades, such as a firmer suspension, lower ride height, body kit and sports seats.

The name XPower was used long before SAIC acquired MG, and was first used from 2003 to 2005 on a Qvale Mangusta-based flagship two-door sports car powered by a Ford V8 engine.