2023 MG 4 Xpower is the cheapest 300kW car in Australia

A surprising car maker has delivered one of the most exciting new performance cars with raw numbers that’ll get any revhead’s blood pumping.

MG has built an electric hot hatch that boasts some impressive numbers.

The MG4 Xpower uses two electric motors to make 320kW and 600Nm delivered to all four wheels.

That adds up to a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds for the car, which costs just $59,990 (plus on-road costs).

There is no performance car on the market that can match those numbers for the price.

2023 MG 4 Xpower brings bonkers performance for a bargain price.

By comparison the popular and circa-$80,000 Volkswagen Golf R hatchback uses its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine to make 235kW and 400Nm for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds.

The MG4 outguns much more expensive machines.

If you want the same kind of speed as the MG4 Xpower you’ll need to pony up more than $100,000 for an Audi RS3 that uses a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol engine to make 294kW and 500Nm and completes the benchmark sprint in the same time.

It has dual motors making 320kW and 600Nm.

MG Australia boss Peter Ciao says buyers on the hunt for a true performance car will be drawn to the MG 4 Xpower.

“The MG4 Xpower has supercar performance packed with features including launch control and a track-mode inspired lap timer showing that a compact EV can be affordable, practical and spirited to drive,” he says.

MG isn’t just hunting straight line speed but has also added some proper performance parts.

An electronic locking differential and torque vectoring will boost its corner carving potential.

Firmer suspension and dampers are joined by stiffer anti-roll bars and more engaging steering to further improve driving characteristics.

It is more than just potent electric motors with plenty of other performance parts.

Stopping power has been improved thanks to big 345mm ventilated disc brakes with bright orange calipers on all four wheels.

A dedicated Track mode will have vehicle telematics for track days.

All that performance does come at the cost of driving range, though.

The Xpower’s 64kWh battery can deliver a driving range of up to 385km, which is 65km less than the non-performance version with the same sized battery.

The cabin promises to have plenty of hi-tech features.

It can accept a charging rate of up to 140kW from a DC fast charger, refilling to 70 per cent in 26 minutes.

There are plenty of sporty exterior touches too including 18-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone black roof and polished accents.

MG has opened up expressions of interest for buyers are cars are due to arrive at a later date.

Originally published as 2023 MG 4 Xpower is the cheapest 300kW car in Australia