MG EVs Podcast Friday 19 August 2022 @ 7:30pm BST

[duncerduncs]

Just a quick question from me....

Does the car have a front centre airbag (between the passengers)?

I know the Marvel R has it because it lost Euro NCAP points for it not working correctly!

 

[Harry 17]

Is the 12v (cigarette) socket permanently live (or have the option to)? Thinking with a view to connect a solar trickle charger for periods of non-use.

 

[Jomarkh]

On my MG5 the 12v socket is dead when the car is off so great for using it for a dash cam.

 

[AshOfIce]

Questions related to software:

OTA. Does MG have any plan on frequency of updates?
Does MG have any features they can say now will come via OTA at a later point?

Thanks.

 

[BarryH]

There is NO boot up procedure in the MG4 apparently.
You simply enter the car and it will "Auto Ready" the car, just select drive / reverse and off you go.
The Tesla system works in the same way, the drive selector switch is on the steering column.
Not sure if the MG4 will be the same, but I am willing to bet that it is.
I think they call it ......... "Sharing Best Practice" these days, rather than nicking somebody else's idea .

Had a test drive in the ID3 yesterday for comparison and with that, you place your foot on the brake pedal to boot it but after 40 minutes or so with the ID3, I never found a "drive mode" and as for KERS/Regen there's only Drive (D) and Brake (B) selection which are roughly equivalent to KERS 1 and 3.

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Questions related to software:

OTA. Does MG have any plan on frequency of updates?
Does MG have any features they can say now will come via OTA at a later point?

Thanks.

OTA is only for the infotainment system, and doesn't include map updates. So basically, very infrequent.

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Please could you find out the following?

1. Is there a headrest for the middle seat in the back? Chinese reviews of the Mulan show that the middle headrest has been omitted.
2. Will a charging cable be provided with the car? Is it included in the purchase price or is it sold as an option?
3. Renders on the MG website show front parking sensors. Will any of the models (present or future) have them?
4. Can the height of the driver's seat belt be adjusted?
5. What is the warranty on the new "one pack" battery?
6. How many cars are coming to the UK in the first shipment? Is MG going to distribute them to the dealers using a quota system or honour preorders based on when they were placed?
7. Will any of the models get OTA updates?

Thanks for your time and help.

1. No headrest in the middle of the back seat
2. 3-pin granny lead included, Type2 32A cable as an accessory from dealer.
3. No front parking sensors on UK models. Website images being updated to avoid confusion
4. No
5. 7 years, 80k miles.
6. 1000 cars due in September. MG hasn't opened orders yet, so launch stock is being distributed amongst the dealers by MG without visibility of what pre-orders have been placed. With around 150 dealers in the UK, that only gives 7-8 cars per dealer (if they divide equally), however they may look at historic EV orders to give slightly more/fewer to certain branches? Either way, after you've got a car for the showroom and a demo, that's only 5-10 cars per dealer to sell. There are another 1000 expected in the UK by end of December (although these may arrive in dribs and drabs).
7. OTA updates are as per ZS EV - only for the infotainment system itself, and doesn't include mapping updates for the navigation.

 

[BarryH]

Is It Keyless locking and unlocking on any of the range ?

Les, I'm sure I've seen it has keyless across the range and Trophy has Smartphone as Key feature too.

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

1. 5 Driving Modes (eco, sport, snow, custom, standard) how do they differ in practice? Does sport change steering weight for instance, or just pedal response? How do you select mode?
2. Regen levels (1-3 and auto) Will highest level effectively allow 1 pedal driving? How does auto work?
3. Regen or just friction braking on ACC?
4. Storage for RFID cards, coins and sunglasses?
5. Anywhere to rest your foot away from the pedals?
6. Service interval?
7. Any lighting not LED?
8. No rear cabin lighting but how good is the interior lighting up front? Assume lighting and 12v supply in boot?
9. Window tinting on all models? How dark is the tint?
10. Can rear seat passengers put feet under the front seats?
11. Without a start/stop button what is the procedure?
12. Is there an Accessory or camping mode or is the car simply on or off?
13. Dimensions of boot with seats up and down (LxWxH)
14. Full AC or just climate control? 1 or 2 zone?
15. How good is the audio system & speakers
16. Where do you plug in a UK AC device (V2L) and does it come with an adaptor? If not what do they cost?
17. What does the active grill do and how does it work? Automatic or driver controlled?
18. Active battery heating and cooling to maximise charging speed in all conditions? If so is this automatic or driver controlled?
19. How solid/flimsy is the parcel shelf compared to say a ZS?
20. Does car display battery percentage as well as range? Does it display charging speed or do you need to calculate it yourself (VxA)?

1. The driving modes affect the use of climate control, the steering weight and feel, limit pedal response, and traction control. They can be tweaked in the menu to change the parameters. Selected and changed via the touch screen display.
2. Levels 1 to 3 are similar in feel to MG5. Level 3 isn’t really strong enough for 1 pedal driving. A is adaptive and adjusts the regen on the fly depending on how the vehicle is being driven.
3. Regen braking for ACC (as per MG5).
4. Sunglasses storage in the roof console, lots of storage generally in the centre console and armrest
5. Left foot rest, like MG5
6. 12 months / 15k miles, as per rest of EV range
7. All lighting is LED
8. LED lighting in roof seems pretty good. Not tried it in the dark though! Boot light to left side. No 12V socket in boot.
9. Window tinting on all models to legal (85%) limit. Privacy tint on Trophy rear glass is around 20% (same as other OEM privacy tints).
10. Depends how big their feet are?
11. Get in with key, close drivers door, foot on brake, select gear
12. No camping mode. Limited ACC mode – press brake without selecting gear? You can also turn the power off in the infotainment system and it will leave the 12V socket active until the car is locked or the 12V gets too low.
13. Dimensions - not measured. Will advise once we get our first demonstrator.
14. Auto climate control – single zone
15. Subjective! No worse than any of the other models. Not had chance to play with equaliser etc.
16. Into the Type 2 charging port. Adaptor sold separately as accessory via dealer.
17. Active Grille - Closes to reduce drag, opens if additional cooling required, thermostat/ECU controlled
18. Battery heating: Its automatic during charging but you can turn on the system so it heats when not charging if the temp is below a certain level (From memory this is 10ºC and obviously uses battery capacity)
19. Parcel shelf similar thickness to ZS EV.
20. Displays percentage and range. Charging speed shown in kW

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Les, I'm sure I've seen it has keyless across the range and Trophy has Smartphone as Key feature too.

Correct.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Android Auto / Apple Carplay - Wireless? Or cable needed?

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Android Auto / Apple Carplay - Wireless? Or cable needed?

Cable required (as far as I know at this stage). If that changes, I'll let you know

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

1. The driving modes affect the use of climate control, the steering weight and feel, limit pedal response, and traction control. They can be tweaked in the menu to change the parameters. Selected and changed via the touch screen display.
2. Levels 1 to 3 are similar in feel to MG5. Level 3 isn’t really strong enough for 1 pedal driving. A is adaptive and adjusts the regen on the fly depending on how the vehicle is being driven.
3. Regen braking for ACC (as per MG5).
4. Sunglasses storage in the roof console, lots of storage generally in the centre console and armrest
5. Left foot rest, like MG5
6. 12 months / 15k miles, as per rest of EV range
7. All lighting is LED
8. LED lighting in roof seems pretty good. Not tried it in the dark though! Boot light to left side. No 12V socket in boot.
9. Window tinting on all models to legal (85%) limit. Privacy tint on Trophy rear glass is around 20% (same as other OEM privacy tints).
10. Depends how big their feet are?
11. Get in with key, close drivers door, foot on brake, select gear
12. No camping mode. Limited ACC mode – press brake without selecting gear? You can also turn the power off in the infotainment system and it will leave the 12V socket active until the car is locked or the 12V gets too low.
13. Dimensions - not measured. Will advise once we get our first demonstrator.
14. Auto climate control – single zone
15. Subjective! No worse than any of the other models. Not had chance to play with equaliser etc.
16. Into the Type 2 charging port. Adaptor sold separately as accessory via dealer.
17. Active Grille - Closes to reduce drag, opens if additional cooling required, thermostat/ECU controlled
18. Battery heating: Its automatic during charging but you can turn on the system so it heats when not charging if the temp is below a certain level (From memory this is 10ºC and obviously uses battery capacity)
19. Parcel shelf similar thickness to ZS EV.
20. Displays percentage and range. Charging speed shown in kW

Thanks @Miles Roberts CG for such a comprehensive response.

As we hoped and anticipated it looks like MG are continuously improving its offering and making each model better than the last. A few follow up questions if I may.

Does it 'remember' which drive mode and level of regen the car is in, or default to the same starting value each time, and if so which mode & regen level is that? I guess the 'Auto' regen level would be the one used by most drivers most of the time? There are no buttons or tactile controls to change mode - it has to be done via the touch screen?

Since there is no 'stop' button, do you just put the car in park, lock the car and walk away? What if you pop in the shop leaving passengers in the car. Is it still running if you don't lock it?

Can driver or passengers sit in the car listening to radio with HVAC running for a period without running down the 12v battery or risking the car can be moved inadvertently?

Does the active grill open and close automatically or is there a button to do it?

Is it possible to manually turn on battery heater when approaching a rapid charger? Is battery temperature displayed? What is the guidance for knowing when would be best to start heating the battery.

Looking forward to finding out more at the podcast later.

Thanks again.

 

[Lovemyev]

6. 1000 cars due in September. MG hasn't opened orders yet, so launch stock is being distributed amongst the dealers by MG without visibility of what pre-orders have been placed. With around 150 dealers in the UK, that only gives 7-8 cars per dealer (if they divide equally), however they may look at historic EV orders to give slightly more/fewer to certain branches? Either way, after you've got a car for the showroom and a demo, that's only 5-10 cars per dealer to sell. There are another 1000 expected in the UK by end of December (although these may arrive in dribs and drabs).

This matches my theory placed in a early thread !.
Thanks @Miles Roberts CG I am looking forward to the post cast tonight !.
I think there will be plenty of views and plenty of questions, heading in your direction.
Thanks to you and the team from bring it too us .
I think Chorley should fair well with the number of MG4 cars allocated, given the number of MG’s you sell !.

 

[AshOfIce]

Thanks @Miles Roberts CG
Just to be clear. It will not be possible to adjust regen level unless you go into settings in the touch screen?

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Thanks @Miles Roberts CG
Just to be clear. It will not be possible to adjust regen level unless you go into settings in the touch screen?

That is my understanding, yes. I feel that the Auto mode makes this less necessary to be changed on a regular basis.

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Thanks @Miles Roberts CG for such a comprehensive response.

As we hoped and anticipated it looks like MG are continuously improving its offering and making each model better than the last. A few follow up questions if I may.

Does it 'remember' which drive mode and level of regen the car is in, or default to the same starting value each time, and if so which mode & regen level is that? I guess the 'Auto' regen level would be the one used by most drivers most of the time? There are no buttons or tactile controls to change mode - it has to be done via the touch screen?

Since there is no 'stop' button, do you just put the car in park, lock the car and walk away? What if you pop in the shop leaving passengers in the car. Is it still running if you don't lock it?

Can driver or passengers sit in the car listening to radio with HVAC running for a period without running down the 12v battery or risking the car can be moved inadvertently?

Does the active grill open and close automatically or is there a button to do it?

Is it possible to manually turn on battery heater when approaching a rapid charger? Is battery temperature displayed? What is the guidance for knowing when would be best to start heating the battery.

Looking forward to finding out more at the podcast later.

Thanks again.

I assume that it remembers the drive mode and regen level previously selected. It is now done via the touch screen, so I think the Auto regen mode, plus customisable driving modes will mean that switching between modes is done much less frequently.

To switch the car off, you exit the vehicle with the key, and close the drivers door. If you don't want it to switch off, you'd have to leave the key in the car.

Yes, you can put the car "on" but not driveable (ACC mode in old money!).

The grille opens and closes automatically. No button. ECU controlled.

The battery heater function will work like in the ZS EV facelift /MG5.

 

[AshOfIce]

That is my understanding, yes. I feel that the Auto mode makes this less necessary to be changed on a regular basis.

Thanks again @Miles Roberts CG
Maybe one more thing: Does the infotainment support different users with different drive settings?

 

[Miles Roberts CG]

Thanks again @Miles Roberts CG
Maybe one more thing: Does the infotainment support different users with different drive settings?

I'm not sure. I'll have to test when the cars arrive in the next week or so.

 

[Les burrows]

That is my understanding, yes. I feel that the Auto mode makes this less necessary to be changed on a regular basis.

Hi Miles very well done with all the answers you have given above already in this thread excellent job.
I kinder like the auto mode idea and if it does keep the last settings that you use I think that will be one off the easiest cars in the world for anyone to drive, my wife she just does not understand why my 5 as different drive modes and Regen settings but with this she does not have to think of them Great.
Les.
Have a good night tonight sorry I can’t be there.