A Nostalgic Trip to the Future: MG's New Electric Hyper Hatch with Old-School Rally Vibe
Crank up the volume, folks, because we're about to go on an electrifying spin that'll have you checking your calendar to see if we've somehow time-traveled to the '80s while embracing the future. Remember the Metro 6R4 Group B rally car? Well, MG, the venerable British automaker, has a sweet surprise for you. The company is pulling the covers off the MG EX4, a concept that is an electric hyper hatch, strutting with Group B rally vibes
The first thing you'll notice about the EX4 is its audacious attire. It's dressed up like a rally car that has found a time portal from the past but wasn't willing to leave its futuristic accessories behind. The whole ensemble is a spruced-up version of the MG4 production EV hatchback, featuring broader front and rear fenders, a larger-than-life splitter, and a rear wing that is so enormous it might just double up as a patio table. And to cap it all, a distinctive livery that tips its hat to the Metro 6R4 on its 40th birthday.
Now, let's hit the rewind button for a moment, shall we? Picture this: the '80s. Denim on denim, shoulder pads, perms, and most importantly, the Metro 6R4 rally car. It's an era where sensible is shelved for sensational, and that's exactly what the 6R4 was - a small city car in a superhero costume.
Now, the Metro 6R4 wasn't just any rally car; it was a bonkers marvel of automotive audacity. Its creators at MG took the Metro, a car that was as exciting as watching paint dry, ripped out its insides, and shoved in a monstrous 3.0-liter V6 right behind the driver. The result? A fire-breathing rally beast that made even the most hardened motorsport veterans check their life insurance policies.
But that wasn't enough. The folks at MG had apparently decided that subtlety was an entirely overrated concept. They grafted on the wheel arches the size of UFOs, a spoiler that looked like it could double as a dining table, and an exhaust pipe that echoed the car's general disregard for anything that wasn't flat-out bonkers.
To top it all off, the 6R4 didn't just compete in rallies - it embodied them. With its buzzing engine and ludicrously aggressive styling, it was like a caffeinated honey bee with a rocket strapped to its back. It'd show up at events ready to do some serious gardening, throwing up more dirt than a bulldozer at a construction site.
In the end, the Metro 6R4 was a wild, raucous, and somewhat unhinged journey on wheels, perfectly encapsulating the '80s spirit. If the decade were a car, it would've been the Metro 6R4 - loud, brash, and undeniably memorable. And that's precisely the heritage the EX4 is looking to celebrate. Just minus the emissions and plus a hefty dose of future-ready electric prowess.
Back to the new kid on the block then, shall we? Inside, you'll find a pair of racing seats that'll have you itching to put on a helmet and strap in for a thrill ride. The sight of the green-painted roll cage will have safety regulators purring with delight and auto enthusiasts grinning with anticipation.
Beneath the hood, or more accurately, under the aerodynamically honed bodywork, things get interesting. The EX4 packs the same dual electric motor powertrain found in the MG4 XPower, ready to deliver a combined 429 horsepower (320 kW) and a torque of 443 lb-ft (600 Nm). For those who like to keep track, that's 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in a swift 3.8 seconds. The Metro 6R4 might be blushing in the garage somewhere.
The MG EX4 concept is set to show off its rally swagger at the Goodwood Festival of Speed starting July 13th. However, don't rush to whip out your checkbooks. It's likely this won't be rolling out onto the mass market any time soon, as its rally-car aesthetic isn't quite ready for the prim and proper production line.
But who knows, maybe the overwhelming fanfare will give MG a nudge in the right direction. The future is electric, folks, but it doesn't mean we can't have a bit of good old-fashioned fun while we're at it.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro.
