The new MG3 is now on sale in New Zealand. The new range comprises a petrol and a hybrid offering, each powertrain available with the Excite or Essence level of specification.
While the MG3 was once touted as New Zealand’s cheapest car, that’s not quite the case any longer. But they say the only similarity this MG3 has with the old model is the name; everything is new. “It’s larger, smarter, safer” they say, while the model packs a whole lot more technology inside and underneath.
The petrol Excite is $25,990 while the better specified Essence is $2,000 more. The Excite hybrid+ is $29,990 while the Essence is $31,990.
The petrol model uses a 1.5L four-cylinder making 81kW and 142Nm. It’s a front driver with a CVT auto. MG says combined fuel consumption is 6.0L/100km (though rightcar.co.nz says 6.7). The 4.1m long five-door hatch has 293L of boot space.
It sure does, and it also gets six airbags, an electronic park brake, adaptive cruise control with lane keeping, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, a forward collision warning system, lane departure warning and AEB. It is yet to be assessed by ANCAP however.
All models have a 7-inch digital instrument display, push button start and USB A and C ports about the place. There’s a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth and wired CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Essence models add a 360 degree camera, LED headlights, faux leather trim in place of the cloth, rain sensing wipers, a sunroof, leather bound steering wheel and smart key entry. It also adds iSmart capability (remote connectivity via a smart phone app) and sat nav.
The new MG3 hybrid uses the combination of a 1.5L engine and an electric motor. The engine is different to that used in the petrol model, this one running on the Atkinson cycle for improved efficiency and it outputs 75kW and 128Nm. It combines with a 100kW/250Nm motor for a total output of 155kW. No torque figure is given.
The motor draws power from a 1.83kWh NMC hybrid battery that lives under the seat in the back. It drives through a tricky three-speed hybrid transmission and can run in silent EV mode, hybrid mode (where the petrol engine is either turning the generator to make power for the battery or adding its torque to the equation) and at times the petrol engine can be the main source of motivation. It’s best not to think about it, and there’s no way to manipulate its operation, so just stick it in drive and enjoy the hybrid torque.
MG rates fuel consumption at a combined 4.3L/100km, although rightcar says 4.8. MG also states urban fuel consumption at just 0.9L/100km!
MG’s NZ brand manager, Arek Zywot, says that trust is building in the MG brand here in NZ as sales continue to grow, improving year-on-year for the past four years.
He says people value the product while the launch of the seven-year warranty proves that the brand is here to stay. He added that the network is growing; in the last 12 months five new dealers have come on board and MG now has coverage from Whangarei to Invercargill.
Zywot noted that while the passenger and SUV market is contracting, hybrids are the one bright spot, with their market share growing.
He says customers are going through a difficult time, the car industry is a reflection of that but he believes it’s an opportunity for MG as it provides the best value in the current market. “MG makes accessible products. It’s all about value, value for everyone at every stage of their life.”
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