MG is gearing up to unveil one of its most radical concepts yet as it prepares to cement its reputation as a maker of exciting electric vehicles at this year’s Beijing Motor Show.
The latest EXE181 electric hypercar is on track to become one of the most aerodynamic cars ever built, with a theoretical drag coefficient of just 0.181. If that makes no sense at all, don’t worry; the number is lower than both the very slick McLaren Speedtail (0.278) and the 313 miles per gallon, hyper-miling 2013 Volkswagen XL1 (0.199).
The now SAIC-owned MG has cleverly plundered its archives, drawing inspiration from the radical EX181 land speed record car driven by Stirling Moss and Phil Hill in the late 1950s. The teardrop-shaped petrol vehicle was pure innovation at the time and despite only having 300bhp, it managed to reach a speed of 250mph on its fastest run at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
While the exact electric powertrain for the modern interpretation hasn’t yet been revealed, MG says it’s aiming for a 0-62mph sprint time of just 1.9 seconds and an overall top speed that’s better than the petrol model of the s fifty. of the fastest electric cars ever produced.
Currently, the Rimac Nevera holds the record for the fastest production EV, breaking the 400 km/h mark thanks to its 1,888 hp, four-motor, all-wheel drive drivetrain and powerful battery combination, which is also capable of a hugely impressive, realistic performance to deliver. world range of over 300 miles.
The stunning EXE181 is pure theater inside too, opting for a single seat, a central driving position and a small yoke-style steering wheel reminiscent of a modern F1 car.
It will be on display at the Beijing Motor Show later this week, but will also make its public debut this summer at Britain’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where MG is celebrating its centenary with a range of activities.
Analysis: MG distances itself from boring
The instantly recognizable British emblem has fallen on hard times since the collapse of the MG Rover Group in 2005, with an initial takeover by Chinese state-owned company Nanjing Automobile and then a further takeover by SAIC Motor, which still owns it today.
Under new management the revised range consisted of a revised MG3 and MG6, which proved affordable but nothing to write home about in terms of styling and performance. However, the recent move to electrification has given the brand some much-needed spice, with the MG4 EV Power offering some serious value for money.
The drop-top MG Cyberster has also made headlines for its sleek looks and powerful performance, but it looks like MG is looking to gain credibility in the luxury performance sector with this stunning concept.
At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the Chinese brand unveiled its Intelligent Mobility (IM) subdivision, which the company said will “operate in the premium sector with a clear focus on executive sedans and larger SUVs,” according to its founders.
In addition, it also unveiled stylish SUVs in the MG9 and MG S9 EVs, which will happily take on Tesla’s Model Y, as well as a fastback sedan in the form of the MG7.
It’s highly unlikely that the EXE181 concept mentioned above will ever see production, but as an exercise in MG flexing its EV performance and design muscles, it will take a beating.