Showing posts with label mg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mg. Show all posts

Saturday, February 24, 2024

My FH5 Log: A not-for-UK MG flagship saloon

When the UK was under the rule of the Labour, the MG Rover lineage offered us the luxury executive midsize saloon called the Rover 75 and its sporty MG ZT counterpart. Although flawed compared to its German rivals, both the 75 and the ZT proved their point until the fall of the MG Rover lineage to the Chinese overlords.


As MG is under the thumb of SAIC, they've created what's known to be their answer to the Audi A4, something that will drive Brits to tears because this is not available in MG's native land, the United Kingdom.


This is the MG7, the one that I obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Lunar New Year Hot Season Playlist after hitting the 20-point target.


Unveiled in 2022, the second-generation MG7 serves as the flagship of the MG lineup in the Chinese market. When it was launched, two variants were offered such as the entry-level 300 VTGI variant with the turbocharged 1.5L petrol engine producing 188PS of power while mated to a seven-speed DCT, and this, the 405 VTGI Trophy model with the turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine producing 261PS of power while mated to a 9-speed ZF automatic.


As a code of honor, I do not like sampling cars that are not offered in their native land. MG is a British car company from the start and this car is not, much like the un-Korean Hyundai i30 N from last week, the MG6 XPower from a long time ago, and the others.

Riding shotgun with it, I'm starting to have thoughts about the MG7 but still, my mind remains the same despite the sporty handling it delivers. It behaves like a European car but no. I'm still not bothered with it because, like I said, this is a not-for-UK MG flagship saloon that drives Brits to tears, wondering why this A4 rival is not sold in Britain.


Before the sulking continues, the MG7 wants me to take a quick drive on the Marigold against a pack of sports saloons, demonstrating its Euro-tuned dynamics fit for a Chinese-made British saloon. Let's roll the tape.


Not bad but I'm not happy about it.


After spending the whole day driving the MG7, I've learned nothing because if the MG7 did sell in Britain, I would be grateful to drive what's known to be Britain's answer to the Audi A4 but no. MG has no plans to bring the MG7 to the Brits and that's final.

This is a complete waste of time for me because I just drove a not-for-UK MG flagship saloon for all the wrong reasons and I got spiraled.

Dismissed.

Friday, August 4, 2023

MG MG4 XPOWER

The MG4 is proven to be a hit on British roads and because it's more fun and more affordable to own than the Nissan Leaf, it really is the biggest upset in the electric car market. Such upset prompted MG to create their first-ever electric hot hatch; the MG4 XPOWER.

2024 MG MG4 XPOWER

Starting at 36,495 British Pounds plus additional costs, the first-ever MG4 XPOWER brings performance back to MG in the age of the new normal and such pricing means it's more affordable than the Civic Type R. It's the high-performance bargain of the decade.

2024 MG MG4 XPOWER
2024 MG MG4 XPOWER interior


At first glance, it looks and works just like a normal MG4 judging by its sharp-looking exterior design, 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, Rotary Gear Selector, wireless charging pad, heated front seats, and steering wheel, among many others. However, the only way to differentiate the XPOWER from the normal MG4 is the XPOWER badge behind as well as the 18" Cyclone alloy wheels with orange calipers, and the added Track Mode display on the touchscreen.

Unlike the normal MG4, which is rear-wheel-drive only, the MG4 XPOWER is the first MG car to be all-wheel-drive, meaning there should be an additional motor somewhere. Anyway, because of its AWD layout and the 64kWh battery, the power output got juiced up to produce 435PS of power output and 600Nm of torque. 

Because being the first MG car to have launch control, the MG4 XPOWER has a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. You can kiss your Nissan Leaf NISMO goodbye with this one.

In terms of range, the MG4 XPOWER is good for 239 miles combined based on the WLTP scale and it takes up to 35 minutes to charge the batteries from 10% to 80% is 35 minutes when charged at the 150kW public rapid charger, the length of watching an episode of your favorite cartoon and some Hail Marys to spare. At home, it takes 5.1 hours to charge the batteries from 10% to 100%.

Of course, being AWD, the 1800kg kerb weight spells more weight compared to the normal MG4, meaning it feels somewhat mild and tangy to drive even on the track. Arm-breaking is such when you try to turn sharp and thanks to its sport-tuned brakes, it feels dramatic when you hit the brakes.

Like the normal MG4, the XPOWER is nothing short of safety features including the MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance System.

The MG4 XPOWER signals MG's return to the performance business and because of its pricing that's cheaper to own than the Civic Type R, the performance to devour the Leaf NISMO, and the AWD system unheard of for an MG car, this juiced up electric hatchback is ready for prime time.

Photo: MG Motor UK

Thursday, January 19, 2023

My FH5 Log: The MG6 that Britain didn't get

When the original MG6 launched in Britain in 2011, it was the beginning of the comeback of a British marque that was revived by China's SAIC. It was a CKD unit made by Britain until MG decided to bid farewell to its Longbridge plant along with the MG6 in it. However, in China, the MG6 lives in its second generation and this is the Chinese equivalent of the Honda Civic Type R that Britain didn't get.


It's called the MG6 XPower, a high-performance PHEV version of the second-generation MG6. I got it as a prize car from the ongoing Forza Horizon 5 FORDZATHON series update and before getting my dibs on China's answer to the Honda Civic Type R, let's get to know about the MG6 that Britain never had.


Unveiled in late 2016, the second-generation MG6 incorporates the brand's new design language and it runs on the same mechanicals as the Roewe i6. It received a minor change in the summer of 2020 and a year later, the MG6 XPower was launched. Based on the MG6 PHEV, the XPower's 1.5L turbocharged engine was bolted to an electric motor, generating a total power output of 300PS of power and 480Nm of torque, capable of hitting 0-100kph in six seconds.


For a super saloon that was known to be China's answer to the Civic Type R, the MG6 XPower really is something the Brits are missing since the MG6 left several years ago. Should the MG6 stay in Britain to show off its second-generation model, it could have been spectacular on British roads and can easily upset the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and the Renaultsport Megane but sadly, it's too little, too late for that.

Despite this, it drives like a Civic Type R even though it has a PHEV drivetrain which sounds uncanny for a car like this. Driving around Horizon Mexico's sights and sounds in this car and I'm having the strangest feeling that I'm like a Kung-Fu martial artist in a business suit. It's got a kick into it when I go nuts with this car. Gotta admire Chinese car manufacturing in a nut shack.


Speaking of which, it's time to see how much of a car the MG6 XPower is and with that, I went back to the Festival to have a one-on-one duel with its TCR equivalent.


No joke. This is the TCR equivalent that I won from the Storm Season Playlist. Built to compete in the TCR Asia series until the smaller MG5 XPower touring car took over, the MG6 XPower TCR is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 340hp of power and 410Nm of torque. It's mated to a 6-speed Xtrac sequential paddle shift gearbox.

Can the MG6 X-Power be as good as its TCR equivalent? Let's find out as we roll the tape.


After a hot lap, here are the results;

2021 MG MG6 XPower -  1m21.165s

2020 MG #20 MG6 XPower - 1m17.027s

A near-four-second gap between the road car and its TCR equivalent, which is quite surprising for a car like this.


To me, the second-generation MG6, in XPower form, is the MG6 Britain should get if they gave the MG6 a second chance in life but sadly, it's a clear NO from the Brits, which is too bad because this PHEV monster has the dynamics of a super hot hatch and the makings of a Nurburgring record holder for PHEV front-wheel-drive cars, which sounds unlikely but anyone can dream right? Ha ha ha... Wrong.

With the Forza producers' newfound fondness for the People's Republic of China, I don't think they'll stop featuring even more Chinese cars like this, even though we never asked for one in the first place. Kowtowing to Beijing is the main reason why we got Chinese cars in this game and the MG6 is one of them. Sigh...

Anyway, enjoy your new ride.

Saturday, December 31, 2022

MG MG4

The first-ever MG4 electric hatchback is by no means one of the most affordable electric vehicles on sale in Britain and with prices starting at 25,995 Pounds plus additional costs, it's cheaper to own than the Nissan Leaf by a razor-thin margin but there's a lot more to it than that...

2023 MG MG4
2023 MG MG4

Fresh from the People's Republic of China, the MG4 electric hatchback is the biggest upset in the electric car market, probably because of the pricing that beats the Nissan Leaf by a knife edge. While the pricing is the MG4's top trump, there are plenty of reasons to buy one; starting with the design.

The MG4's design is by no means the sharpest-looking for a city car of such size judging by the front face that delivered its first impression, although the rear view can be visibly mistaken for a Kia EV6 when you squint your eyes further. Either way, the MG4's exterior design is nearly exceptional for an electric car made for the British masses.

2023 MG MG4
2023 MG MG4 interior

On the inside, the MG4 has plenty of toys to play around with such as its 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, the Rotary Gear Selector, the wireless charging pad available on the Trophy Long Range variant, and heated front seats and steering wheel, among many others. Talking about space, this five-seater's modest space feels just right when you step inside. In terms of boot space, with the rear seats present, it's less spacious than the Nissan Leaf...that is until you fold the rear seats down. With nearly 300 liters more than the Nissan Leaf of total boot space with the rear seats down, it's another top trump for the MG4.

2023 MG MG4

The MG4 features two kinds of battery capacities. The SE model features a 51kWh battery capacity that produces 170PS of power, 250Nm of torque, a 0-60mph time of 7.5 seconds, 100mph of top speed, and up to 218 miles of driving range combined. The Long Range variant runs on the 64kWh battery pack which bumps the power output to 203PS power, which is a tad less compared to the Nissan Leaf e+, and with 281 miles of driving range, a tad less efficient as well but whatever.

Because the MG4 weighs less than the Nissan Leaf and because it's rear-wheel-drive unlike the Nissan Leaf, which is front-wheel-drive, you will find that it's a lot more enjoyable to drive as well. Although spartan because it has the same layout as a Porsche 911, it feels rather unique to drive one even beyond city limits, not to mention the fact that it comes with MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for a safer driving experience.

With the first-ever MG4, it looks like the Nissan Leaf has completely lost it because of such pricing which made the MG4 the electric bargain of the new normal, not to mention the dynamics and the styling that delivered the biggest upset in the electric car market. Looks like this Sino-British marque is on the roll.

Photo: MG Motor UK

Friday, July 22, 2022

MG5 EV (2023 minor change)

The MG5 EV was revised as Britain's reasonably priced electric estate's gone premium and being premium is a good thing...almost.

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

Priced at 31,690 Euros plus additional costs, which is drastically more than its pre-facelift, the new MG5 EV's big minor change delivers a bold new approach to one of the most reasonably priced EVs on the market. Beginning with the exterior design, the big minor change features a sleeker front view reminiscent of a certain Kia not available in its home market. I can't say what model due to search query reasons but you get the point. On the back, meanwhile, the rear lamps have been revised while it sports a new rear bumper. With such an exterior design, it doesn't look like a cheap car anymore. Nice one, MG.

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

On the interior, the Volkswagen-esque dashboard was revised and it now features a new and longer touch screen that now takes control of every single nook and cranny. Don't worry though, you can see buttons below the touch screen that controls the aircon and volume controls within reach. Like the old MG5, it accommodates up to five people but the rear space can accommodate up to 89 liters less than the old model with the rear seats folded down, pre-facelift's 1456L vs. facelift's 1367L. What a whammy for space-conscious people who are spending their weekends doing garage sale trips.

The MG5 EV big minor change is now offered only with the 61kWh Long Range electric powertrain. It produces 156PS of power and 280Nm of torque, which is more than the old model, a 0-60mph time in around eight seconds, and 115mph of top speed, which is pretty much the same as the old one but still slightly faster than a normal Japanese car as expected. The driving range is good for around 250 miles based on WLTP standards while charging times can take about 40 minutes to reach 80% on a public charging station or six hours and 30 minutes at home.

As expected, the new MG5 EV features a wide array of safety features such as Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, and Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Intelligent High Beam Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

While the shortened boot space and the drastic price hike are the main Achilles' Heel, the new MG5 EV is taking shape with its reworked design, tech, and improved driving range that will keep on going until the last charge.

Photo: MG Motor

Thursday, March 3, 2022

My FH5 Log: Chinese foods for thought (PART 3)

The last of the three Chinese-made cars that arrived on Forza Horizon 5's Series 4 update has arrived and unlike the previous two, it comes from a British carmaker currently owned by a Chinese motoring giant. I'm talking about MG, which is currently under SAIC control, and the Chinese-made MG in question is the MG3 hatchback.


Having fought my way through the Hot Season playlist to get the keys for this Chinese-made British city car, it's time to have my dibs on the MG3.


Unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, the MG3 city car promises to be a fun-to-drive supermini hatchback fit for everyone's daily life. With styling inspired by the Zero Concept, the MG3 is powered by a 1.5L MPi DOHC VTI-Tech engine that develops 106HP of power while mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Thanks to its £8,399 price tag, it's one of the cheapest cars to buy in Britain since its launch.



It's good to have a modern-day MG arrived in the game despite the fact that it's currently made in China. Having spent a day driving with the MG3, I'm starting to think that this tiny little hatchback is cheap and cheerful but, to be honest, it's difficult to say because while calling it cheap is the easy part, calling it cheerful is the hardest thing to say because of its driving feel that doesn't behave like a European car.


To test out just how cheap and cheerful the MG3 is, I sent it for a little race through the Mexican gravel and drive like how a typical driver in a third-world country would do. Funny but worth the shot. Roll the tape.


Now that's a typical third-world driving attempt in a car built by a terrifying world superpower destined to take over the world. Ah, the joys of being a communist car, eh?


With the arrival of the MG3, the last Chinese-made car in this series update looks like the Chinese invasion in Forza Horizon 5 is complete, although it won't be the last for them because the Chinese are cooking up some more in the world of Forza for many years to come. So, out of the three Chinese-made cars appeared in the Series 4 update, which one is your favorite?

Thursday, December 31, 2020

MG5 EV

For the first time since China's SAIC took control of the renowned British carmaker MG, there is now a station wagon in the MG range and it's an electric station wagon that promises to be the most affordable electric station wagon to own and enjoy in case you want an electric car but stuck at the scum class and can't afford the fancy ones like the Porsche Taycan or the Tesla Model 3.



Priced at a very reasonable 25,095 Pounds plus additional costs, the MG5 EV is the most affordable electric car to own and it's nearly more affordable than the Nissan Leaf, making it the bargain electric car of the new normal. If the bargain is what this MG5 EV championed for, what's it like being with it?

Unlike most expensive electric cars which feature futuristic styling, the MG5 EV looks a bit regular in every way. It's somewhat reminiscent of an old Volkswagen Passat Variant and no matter how close you look at it, this electric estate looks more of a throwback rather than flash forwarding to future trends like today's electric cars.


What about the interior? Well, while the cockpit view's a bit like last decade's cars from the Volkswagen Group family tree, the MG5 EV still works like most normal cars should, and in terms of passenger space, it's not really half bad at all. It fits up to five, which is ideal for a normal family or for road-tripping buddies going out-of-town, and with rear space up to 1456 liters with the rear seats folded, it fits for all walks of life. It's spacious of course, meaning this electric estate can do nearly utilitarian stuff such as carrying today's grocery list or deliveries if you're a normal deliveryman working at the nearest Amazon fulfillment center.


The MG5 EV's electric powertrain consists of a 52.5kWh battery pack which produces a modest 156PS of power and 260Nm of torque and it has a top speed of 115mph, which is slightly faster than a normal Japanese car of course. In terms of charging, unlike most electric cars taking a day to charge at home, the MG5 can be fully charged at home in eight and a half hours, which sounds quick, and if you're in a public charging station, that takes less than an hour to reach 80%. The charging time's quite a surprise but the range of 214 miles (based on WLTP standards) is a tad less compared to the fancy ones. Sounds fair, though.

In terms of dynamics, even with Sport Mode active, the MG5 feels as old-fashioned as a two-decade-old saloon but it feels quite civilized on normal roads. It's not enjoyable as is but it's well-behaved and as civilized as a real commoner. It's a real commoner car for the real world and the host of safety features are worth noticing.

The MG5 may not be the most enjoyable electric car to own but with its pricing worth buying, it's a fresh start if you are itching to jump to the EV bandwagon like the rest of the world does.

Photo: MG Motor UK Limited


Tuesday, December 31, 2019

MG HS

The China-controlled British car company MG presented another affordable crossover on their lineup called the HS and this new affordable crossover, which slots above the ZS, promises to be one of the most affordable people movers in Britain unless you have a second opinion about this Chinese-imported British cut-price crossover.

2020 MG HS

With prices start at a very reasonable 17,995 Pounds plus on-road costs, the first-ever MG HS is all about space and affordability this crossover's focusing on and it will give its Asian competitors a run for its money.

Starting on the styling department, the HS is bigger and better looking compared to its little brother, the ZS, and while this is basically as big as its Asian competitors, it feels surprisingly as small as a city car when you take it round the city streets and on the open roads because the HS is not concerned about what SUV traits it lacks and for a real kicker, it wasn't really rugged at all for a crossover.



2020 MG HS interior
2020 MG HS interior

Although somewhat regular for crossover standards, the HS is a lot roomier than the ZS and while it fits up to five people on board, the space is worth noticeable. You can use it on the trip to the groceries or take it for a camping trip as a nice little sleeper. Such space is the true beauty of this cut-price crossover and it's very accommodating, except for its plain quality and gadgetry that is as functional as the ones you bought from the thrift store.

2020 MG HS

The HS's only engine offered is a 1.5T GDi engine which produces a mild 162PS of power, 250Nm of torque, and with the 6-speed manual gearbox, which sounds enjoyable to some, it goes from 0-60mph in less than ten seconds and a top speed of 118mph, slightly quicker than most Japanese crossovers do. As for fuel economy, the HS returns a combined WLTP MPG of 37.2 miles per gallon. Impressive.

As for dynamics, the HS drives like a city car with its front McPherson Struts, rear Multi-Link suspension, and EPAS, among many others, which is not bad but since being front-wheel drive only without all of the clever stuff as seen on the Citroen C3 Aircross, you can cross out the elephant attempt on its checklist so sorry about that. Anyway, while the dynamics are fit for normal roads rather than offroad because of being FWD only, the HS features MG Pilot Advance Driver Assistance System which features Active Emergency Braking, LKA, LDWS, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, BSD, RCTA, and Intelligent High Beam Assist, all of which makes the HS an intelligent cut-price crossover available on the British motoring public.

Despite its flaws, the MG HS is worth promising for a rising star in the crossover market and with such reasonable price, there's no doubt some will have a go with MG's latest crossover.

Photo: MG

Sunday, December 31, 2017

MG ZS vs. Citroen C3 Aircross

In the planet of the crossovers, there are some crossovers think they look tough on the outside but in reality, they really are soft on the inside, meaning it's easy to be labeled as weaklings because they don't possess some true capabilities a tough SUV possess but for some, they didn't matter anyway because while the so-called fake-UVs are not so tough as they look, they are made for one major purpose; to get the job done with no questions asked. Such example is MG's latest offering, the ZS SUV, as well as Citroen's C3 Aircross.

2018 MG ZS

2018 MG ZS interior
First, let's talk about the MG ZS, the latest offering from the Chinese-controlled British car company, and judging by the name, the ZS took its name from a relative from the posh but forgettable Rover 75, which is the saloon of choice for the Bethnal Green mob you ran into. While this name is nothing new, this SUV has a clear impression of thinking that they copied the styling of noteworthy crossovers such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson. That's the Chinese way, all right, and judging from its looks, the interior wasn't bad either for a five-seater, although the dashboard is as cheap as those outdated gadgets you bought at the thrift store. Although the interior feels a bit outdated by crossover standards, it feels not too bad to get into and you get the sense that you had a dream that you and your friends are driving to a nearby shopping mall in the streets of Muntinlupa City. Not as pretty as it hoped for but it ticks all the right stuff to satisfy your chic craving.

Driving aside, the ZS is powered by a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.5L DOHC and a 1.0L GDi which produces a city-friendly 111PS of power output and 160Nm. The 1.5L model is mated with a 5-speed MT while the 1.0L GDi is mated with a 6-speed AT but either way, you can consider these choices to be a bit decent but average for you especially when the suspension setup is as old-fashioned as a Nokia 3310 phone you got since you were at the fourth grade.

Of course, the ZS is considered to be a value for money because of its 12,495 GBP (844,000 Php) price tag, but despite its affordability, the ZS lacks something a compact crossover should have, even for the fact that it only works on urban roads rather than taking it on road trips on faraway destinations. So, if you need more for a city-worked crossover, consider the Citroen C3 Aircross for a change.

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross
2018 Citroen C3 Aircross interior

The C3 Aircross is the replacement for the funky but somewhat lagging C3 Picasso and starting at 15,950 Euros (960,000 Php), it considers to be a fair value for money which isn't bad for a fake-UV, especially when it uses the same bits and bobs as seen in today's Citroen C3. I mean yes, this is like a C3 but with some added ground clearance to make it look tough but to be honest, despite the high-riding looks, it still behaves like a compact car and it ticks all the right buttons that the MG ZS can't. Then, the interior is as modern as a Kindle Fire. Not as good as it hoped for but it's spacious enough for your thrift store junk, decently comfortable, chic, and simple. That's the Citroen way and you know it.

The most powerful version has a 1.2L petrol engine producing 130PS of power and 230Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100kph in 9.3 seconds and onwards to 200kph. Not only it is faster than the ZS but also, it's surprisingly nippy and lively to handle by city car standards. Of course, if you prefer fuel efficiency, you should go for the one with the 100PS BlueHDi engine that has CO2 emissions of 96g/km, which sounds fine but sadly, it won't last long for French roads because it's diesel.

Not only it drives pretty well like a city car, but it's also advanced as a city car as well because of the safety features implemented to give the C3 Aircross peace of mind for the occupants at all sides.

So, how do I sum this up? Well, the MG ZS is one of the cheapest crossovers money can buy but with all that "made in China" stuff, drivers are having that Divisoria feeling when they drive one but for the C3 Aircross, that is like driving in the streets of BGC without all the drama. Despite all the differences, they made proof that despite not being as tough as SUVs should be, they are made for one major purpose; to get the job done with no questions asked.

Photo: MG, PSA

Monday, August 29, 2016

MG GS

MG, a British car company currently under Chinese hands, started their rebirth with the MG6 and MG3 hatches and now, for the first time, they launched their own take on compact crossovers such as the Nissan Juke and the Peugeot 2008. It's called the GS and because this is the first-ever crossover SUV from the Chinese-owned British car company, it's starting to feel like last decade's...um...well, let's find out.

2017 MG GS
2017 MG GS

Design-wise, the MG GS looks very modern for a crossover of that size and when others look at that car on the road, they will know that whoever has that kind of crossover has some class and believe it or not, because this is a British car full-stop, its sossy character can be very contagious even on the parking lots of shopping malls.

2017 MG GS interior

Same thing goes for the interior, although it's typical MG interior as you expect from the MG6. Well, for a modern-looking interior for a crossover imported from China, it still packs some modern equipment a customer wishes to have such as USB, radio, MP3 connectivity, iGO navigation system, rear camera, and Bluetooth connectivity. That's a very high-tech interior made for the yuppies who spend their time doing all of the grown-up stuff on the urban landscape.

2017 MG GS

The new GS was utilized on the scalable platform pinned by the SAIC parent company and unlike what the Chinese offered on the mainland, the British-spec MG GS is front-wheel drive and it's powered by a 1.5 Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection engine that produces 166PS of power and 250Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT, which sounds very modern for a Chinese-made British crossover but not even close by European modern standards. With the engine and DCT mated, it delivers a 0-60mph time of a mild 9.6 seconds and top speed of 112mph, which isn't sound so quick for a crossover made for running errands on a day job.

As a crossover made to be on level with European crossovers, the MG GS features front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension to make sure it handles like every European crossovers should but the more you drive it, the more you're starting to realize that the MG GS feels like the old Rover Streetwise in so many levels. Sure, it may have a wallet-friendly intro price of 14,995 Euros and its street-tough styling inherited from the old Streetwise but when you consider its driving feel, it doesn't really make the grade to be as fun as any other crossovers be, in fact, the only thing what this modern-day equivalent of the old Rover Streetwise is it needs some character to deliver the fun this crossover deserves but despite its behavior a tad old-fashioned, the new GS by MG still delivers the cheap motoring giggle you expect from the Streetwise and while it will leave you with a slight smile on your face all the way home, there's one way how to describe this British compact crossover; vanilla...with nuts.

Available colors: Arctic White, Jet Black, Sahara Gold Metallic, Aspen Silver Metallic, Orange Metallic, Mocha Brown Metallic.

Photo: MG

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

FH2 Storm Island: Storm Island's only Barn Find

barnfind

As you progress through Storm Island, you will receive a rumor that there's a barn find hidden somewhere in Storm Island. The problem is, unlike all the barn finds you've encountered so far, doesn't have an exact location. There are some options, you can use your Storm Island knowledge to find that legendary machine lurking beneath the island's depths or purchase the Treasure Map add-on to find it.

Sadly, I spent some dollars on the Treasure Map which, for some new to this game, will reveal all locations of speed cameras, speed traps, boards, and barn finds. According to the Treasure Map, the Barn Find in question is northeast and it's less than two miles from the Horizon Hub.



metro

Known to be one of the maddest Group B monsters ever made, the 6R4 is, like its namesake, is a 4WD rally car powered by a 3.0L V6 engine mounted in the middle, with some bits from Cosworth. It was mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

When it was launched in 1985, the Austin Rover Group announced that they would complete the necessary number of cars required for homologation by November of that year. It was participated in the 1985 Lombard RAC rally and finished 3rd, behind two Lancia Deltas.

Sadly, even though the 6R4 participated in numerous rally events in Europe during the 1986 season, none of them managed to complete a course and that's because of the V6 engine's teething issues and when it signalled the end of Group B rallying  at that year, due to numerous casualties, its rallying days are well and truly over.

Little did you know that the engine that powers the 6R4 is the similar engine that powered the legendary Jaguar XJ220 supercar, this time with added turbos. Useful bit of history lesson there.

metro (2)

The 6R4 may have an ill-fated story but it's time for the unsung hero to make a name for itself as I've signed this car up for a championship targeted for Group B monsters like this and since I'm in the progress to finish Storm Island in my terms, this championship is just one of the stepping stones I'm taking on if I want to progress on the Island Finale.



This is has got to be one of the best Group B machines I have ever drove in Storm Island but despite its compact sizing, it requires the skills of a veteran driver to tame this unsung monster because this car can bite you if you're not careful. You have to stay sharp and act fast when it comes to mastering the 6R4's hidden potential as a rally car.

That's the tip I'm giving it to you when you spot one but nevertheless, the 6R4 became the star in its own right after winning the championship and with just a few championships left before the Island finale, the journey continues.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

MG MG3

2014 MG MG3

Would you look at that, this is just another one of the ugly cars to come out this year and before you can say "kill it before it lays eggs", let's introduce to the weird-looking supermini that some say it's Britain's answer to the Dacia Sandero, Ford Fiesta, Kia Pride, Mazda Demio, and the Skoda Fabia, in case you're wandering.

It's called the MG3 and although this car maybe a brand new model, it's not new to us because this car's on sale on the People's Republic of China two years ago. Of course, the Chinese version of Top Gear do had a spin on one of these Chinese-British superminis. Talk about dual citizenship here but for this new model, like the MG6 GT and Magnette sedan, it's produced somewhere at Longbridge, which was in Birmingham if you look at the map.

2014 MG MG3
Just one question; how did it came here? Well, don't ask me, ask the folks from MG Motor UK because some say, they wanted to make a low-cost compact car that claims to be "Made in Britain, Sold in Britain" and tries to compete cheap cars made from, let's just say, South Korea or Japan or Romania or India or any other emerging countries you may know.

For the new MG3, I might say that if you drove one of these, people are thinking you came from a retirement home going out at the thrift store and then buy some stuff and then went back home, without realizing that you are labeled as a "hoarder" because of so many stuff inside your house, so much that your grandkids can't get through. Oh geez... If you're a youngster who just got a learner's permit, what can I say? This is rather an unpleasant one, more unpleasant than the prehistoric Daewoo Matiz, perhaps. Hmmm...

2014 MG MG3 interior

2014 MG MG3 interior


I was quite puzzled to see such thing existed because judging by its appearance, it feels a bit "Made in China" especially for a car that was "Made in Britain, Sold in Britain". However, there's a catch, although it maybe not as youth-oriented as it seems, more like another one of the cars your lolo and lola might drive, the starter price is £8,399 or about 581,000 Php, making it one of the cheapest cars available in the UK so that makes it good value on par against its rivals. Standard features include electric windows, stereo, USB connectivity, stability control, hill hold control, tire pressure monitor, daytime running lights, halogen headlamps, and immobiliser. Hmmm, not bad though, not bad, with the list of standard features as well as the fact that it has MP3 connectivity and USB connectivity, that sounds more fun if you're a fashionista going out to the mall listening to too much pop music on the radio. However, for more expensive versions, ranging from 9,299 GBP up to 9,999 GBP, you can have digital radio, Bluetooth, easy electronic air conditioning, and so much gadgetry added to this sub-10,000 pound supermini.

Gee, that sounds acceptable but sadly, the seats are a bit cheap as well as the seat support that should have made it better. What it feels like is like the same feeling you'd expect from a "banger" car from the 90's. Yes, this car's got the 90's feelings when it comes to interior comfort or perhaps, more like seating in the house of an informal settler. It's a good thing it's not like an "informal settler" on wheels but sadly, it feels like...visiting to a house with a very dirty restroom on it. Eeeww... Sadly, if you're as big as mine, I think this is not the best choice of the job because the room's seem to be too small for you and the seating's a bit too low for your back, making it too difficult to get in and get out on a height of yours.

And then there's the way it drives and what can I say? It's not quite bad in terms of handling but still, it feels a bit heavy for a small car and the 1.5L MPi DOHC VTI-Tech engine that develops 106HP of power feels a bit like, what the Earl of Lemongrab might say it, UNACCEPTABLE! I agree on what the folks are saying that the 1.5L petrol engine feels too big for a small car, especially when it was mated with an old-school 5-speed manual gearbox. 0-60mph takes about ten and a half seconds, and top speed, it can do about 108mph or about 174kph.

Of course, being a cheap car, the suspension's rather firm rather than being too classy or more European like the Audi A1, the Citroen DS3, the Renault Twingo, or the Fiat 500 but sadly, it behaves like Asian compacts so it feels a bit jittering and as uncomfortable as a cheap van we've rented on our long trip during a typhoon making havoc last month and if I was on that situation where I'm taking this on the British motorways, I would be scared by this one because for being such a small car, it's worth the risk driving this one on the motorways until you smell some fear coming out from your car. Frenetic, isn't it?

So, what's the good thing about driving the MG3? The pricing, the standard features that will keep you occupied for hours, and it's worth the shot of being a city car. Bad things? Well, it handles like hell, the personalization is a bit lame, the engine's too big for a small car, the suspension's poor, and overall, the design is a bit too unfriendly for me.

Available colors: Red Rose, White on the Tiles, Stuck on Blue, Newton Black, Smokey Blues, Silver Fox, Orange Marmalade, Hello Yellow, Cherry Bomb, and Lady Gray.

Photo: MG Motor UK

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

MG MG6 Magnette

2012 MG MG6 Magnette

The launch of the MG6 GT since May 2011 marks the return of the British automobile marque to its homeland after being owned by China's SAIC (Shanghai Automotvie Industry Corporation) and this is the time the Brits fall in love with driving again. Now in the summer of 2011, MG Motor UK introduces a new member of the family and this would be a decent rival to the Renault Fluence, Mazda Axela (Mazda 3), Mitsubishi Galant Fortis (Lancer), Chevrolet Cruze, and the Volkswagen Jetta.

Called the MG6 Magnette, it carries the same features of the MG6 GT hatchback now with the look of the medium sedan. This 4-door sedan is designed and engineered at MG Motor UK Technical Centre and it was a complete knock down unit, meaning it was made from China but remains are shipped through the Longbridge plant for finishing touches. Well, it doesn't matter, the Magnette naming on the MG6 Magnette sounds feminine but don't worry, this Britain-made sedan is made for everyone who shared their life-long passion to the Morris Garages brand. This was the second all new MG for 16 years, the first was the MG6 GT, as told from the new MG advert. This is something new on the road ahead.

On the road ahead, the MG6 Magnette is equipped with the turbocharged 1.8-litre TCI-TECH engine that produces about 158bhp (160PS) of power, 215Nm of torque, compression ratio of 9.2:1, and 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds. The standard transmission is a 5-speed manual transmission, which provides the fun factor for the British car enthusiasts ten-fold.

Three variants are available for the MG6 Magnette such as the standard MG6 Magnette S, MG6 Magnette SE, and the flagship MG6 Magnette TSE loaded with luxurious extras. It is available in seven exterior colors such as Pitch Black, Arctic White, Regal Red, Union Blue, Platinum Silve, Granite Grey, and Champagne.

My Comment:
The return of MG made it even more offensive with the launch of the MG6 GT hatchback but with the arrival of the MG6 Magnette medium sedan, this is going to be a serious threat to the likes of the Renault Fluence, Mazda Axela (Mazda 3), Mitsubishi Galant Fortis (Lancer), Chevrolet Cruze, and the Volkswagen Jetta. They're getting serious about this comeback and they are ready to win the hearts of many British car enthusiasts and win back MG's reputation after being owned by SAIC. This is going to be an interesting feat, I can't wait to see how far will two MG6 models (the MG6 GT and the MG6 Magnette) survive the battle.

Photo: MG Motor UK (via Facebook)