XPower in shop, Trophy on loan

[Mickandsej]

Just thought I’d poke this out there as I’m a bit astonished with my loan car. My XP is back in the dealer’s as I found the headlight aim still concerning after a previous visit. Turns out this car has the same issue and I’m thinking the dip is so bright (and good now it’s been set up properly) that the main beam looks weaker in comparison. Basically it’s not shining as brightly ahead and leaves shade lines above the dip beam.
Anyhow I was a bit miffed they’d dropped off an identical Trophy LR for me to use, I’d heard several professional testers say it was a better drivers car. And I think they’re right!! After a day of mooching around locally in 30 limits I felt it lighter and smoother. I’d never driven a rwd 4 till then. Tonight I drove home from work and found the LKA was the old map and every bit as bad as reported, my XP is totally different and barely notice it’s on. But as I left the dual carriageway and hit the lanes I found the regen balance far superior to the XP and it was such a blast to drive I diverted into the smaller lanes and had a hoot chucking it around.
It’s a bit of a conundrum as I know if I’d bought a Trophy I’d always wish I’d bought an XP. Didn’t expect the reverse to be true! I’d better get my XP back quick and go and have a good old thrash about in it so I get my mojo back with it.
The loaner is an LR and the GOM was much greater - imagine what an Extended would be like. I’ve got a high mileage side gig going on and I’ve found the XP range to be ever so slightly limiting, but then I do have the luxury of IOG home charging and a £300 top up from MG on my Electroverse card.
I suppose what I’m saying is I love my XP but the base MG4 is still a bloody good car. I’d even say a RWD 4 beats a well sorted 6 pot 3 series hands down.

 

[Robf]

They are a hoot to drive, and very fast off the mark at the lights, feels like a living thing to drive

 

[Anon70]

When I test drove an extended range back to back with an XPower (before purchase) I found the softer suspension on the ER not as nice on roundabouts and when cornering. I am sure you would also notice the difference in the 0-60 times 3.8s vs 6.1s if driven back to back

 

[Mickandsej]

I didn’t perceive the ride being any different, I think the main “feel” was its years since I drive a properly good rwd car of any description, and you could really feel the push rather than a pull. On regen/overrun it didn’t change pitch and stayed flat. The XP tends to pitch about when in and off power and feels more fwd than awd. Not saying the xp is a bad car at all, and I deliberately chose it because of its halo effect, the fact it was a range topper. And it’s party piece… If it were less anonymous in appearance it would be more of a poster car, like Cossies and M3s of old (80s/90s for the yoof out there!). Plus the XP is a rare old beast and I kinda think it’s a future classic. Once the aftermarket catches up with it I bet there will be tweaks, updates and mods galore.
And an aside on the XP, I’ve had a couple of near misses with the alloys. Alloy insurance is ridiculously dear for what it actually covers, I’m thinking of getting a set of aftermarket 18x8s in full black, brand new, from my local pukka wheel specialist, boxing up the OEMs until such time as it goes back or sells, £600 fitted is only twice the price of insurance and cheaper to replace one by one than refurb an OEM. And we all know how diamond cut lacquer can go off.

 

[lordsnipe]

In normal mode, the XPower is RWD up until around 50% power so should feel similar in speed and acceleration to the RWD car but a bit stiffer overall.

 

[Mickandsej]

I think I haven’t really explored my XP yet, to be fair. I’ve just been trudging up and down to work, last night was the first time I’ve had any energy (myself, not the car!) on the way home, added to the “rental” mentality it was a recipe for fun. Next week I’m on lates again so will have a play with my own car!
I still have to say the MG MSP chassis is the best thing to hit the affordable market in many many years. The last car that was that good out of the box was the mk1 Focus IMHO

 

[Tuareg]

In normal mode, the XPower is RWD up until around 50% power so should feel similar in speed and acceleration to the RWD car but a bit stiffer overall.

Correct, RWD most of the time in 'normal' mode unless you mash the pedal, permanent 4WD in 'sport'.

 

[Mickandsej]

A problem shared is a problem halved not that it was a problem. Just not had time to get to know the car! Thanks for your input all

 

[Mickandsej]

Just had a reminder how up to speed my dealer is. Been driving this LR for 3 days and I’ve just found out it is an XR. I thought it was because of the black roof, but the dealer said no it’s an LR. Wasn’t fully charged when I got it so I took the GOM at face value.
So an XR range really is vastly different to the XP…

 

[Anon70]

On paper at the same efficiency should be about 40 miles difference, I suspect the fact the XR weighs 1748kg and the XPower is 1800kg makes it easier to better efficiency from the XR

 

[Mickandsej]

I received the XR at 80% soc showing 260 GOM. After some local miles I used it for work and that’s 60 miles a day, half of which is dual carriageway. Last night I got home with 90 miles on the GOM so I reckon it’s a good 300 mile car and I didn’t have to tip toe around. I never suffered range anxiety with the XP or the MG5 but I’m getting range impression with the XR!

 

[Anon70]

260 miles at 80% is working on an efficiency between 4.3 and 4.4 miles/kWh, if you can get that from an XPower you would be over 250 miles on a full charge

 

[mGizmo]

The XPower also has slightly higher ride height, which probably adds a little drag.

 

[Mickandsej]

Due to an oversight in my part I went to go to work and found a range of 79 miles for my 60 mile round trip. Oops..
Full eco vicar mode and I got to work with 67 miles left. 5.0 mpkwh on the GOM.
I’ve been in talks with the dealer regarding switching to this actual ER (for that is what I should have called it all along). Strangely close to being achieved, but still a 4-digit change of heart. XP will be returned to me in two days. What am I to do….

 

[Mickandsej]

Manic week so no time to update, didn’t even use the XP till yesterday!
And boy did it get used. Fully loaded up with 3 on board and up to the roof moving my son into his new flat in Southampton. Hot day with ac on max, part cross country, part M3, part city. Left home with 99% and 235 GOM. 50-odd miles each way. Left in the evening and took the relaxing route home with a couple of bursts of open road fun, got home with 50% battery left.
Loved every minute of the drive and quashed my thoughts on buying out and going ER. XP is here to stay

 

[Anon70]

Loved every minute of the drive and quashed my thoughts on buying out and going ER. XP is here to stay

Out of interest what where the XP characteristics that have kept you on the dark side

 

[Mickandsej]

Well the 2.5k buyout was one! The XP drove serenely when loaded to the max and it was a lovely relaxing drive. The range was way better than expected so that was good, and the two-up B road point and shoot stages were a blast. Didn’t notice before as I usually drive in Eco, only using normal for max HVAC, but when in sport the front motor really makes a Star Trek noise and it’s kind of fun. My daily ride is a 411 Himalayan and whilst the top speed is more than good enough, it’s got no overtaking ability. I’m not a speed freak but when you overtake you just need to get it done. The ER was really good too, but the XP is just that bit more….

 

[kiwi]

Use to drive E46 330 and the Trophy/Essence easily beats that off the line and in handling. Only thing better that I've owned was a ST205 WRC GT4 with AWD and ALS.

 

[Anon70]

Didn’t notice before as I usually drive in Eco, only using normal for max HVAC, but when in sport the front motor really makes a Star Trek noise and it’s kind of fun

I guess as the 2nd motor is one of the XPower's main differentiators from other MG4, having it at your disposal all the time in Sport mode is going to make a lot of difference when comparing.

 

[lordsnipe]

If you mostly drove in Eco mode, I can see why you thought the ER was comparable... because you effectively made your XP an ER with really dull pedal response.

Between normal and eco modes, driving normally, I don't see any real power consumption differences, depends on how well you can control your right foot. However the dulled accelerator response in eco mode makes the car considerably less fun to drive.