Xpower as a hot hatch - cornering in particular

[ilukey77]

My take on the X-power's handling: I actually think it is very capable. The problem with the reviews of the X-power are for me that motor press tend to devide their staff up into categories and the Xpower tends to get reviewed by:

• EV focused reviewers that can't drive performance cars and tend to conclude their reviews with "you'd be better off getting a Trophy LR" when no self respecting motor journalist would review a Golf R and conclude that you'd be better saving your money and getting a TDI.
• Petrol head reviewers that don't know how to drive an EV and find the lack of pop and bang a bit boring.

It comes down to the X-power having few if any peers and there are some idiosyncratic elements to its handling which take a bit of getting used to, particularly if you've never driven a performance orientated EV.
Saying that, there are a few YouTube reviews from proper petrol heads that are very complimentary on its handling characteristics.
Personally I think the engineering team.that worked on the X-power have done a very good job on a platform that is in its infancy.

Agreed to a point ..maybe it's me coming from my 2012 volvo s60 t6 awd which had less power a sedan better tyres and in general a more refined package ..

I also wonder if my expectations are to high being as you are pushing 320kW not 250kW through a different package there has to be limitations at some point where unless im sitting on super sticky UHP 345 tires on the front and rear 235s are just not capable enough !!

That said there are some still fundamental things that the x power is lacking funnily there is this video

Whats funny is that MG Australia are looking to in house upgrading the Xpower anyway which means there is room for much needed improvement ..

body kit looks cool its just the sporty one made in Thailand..
wheels look cool but kinda MEH when still fitted with stock rubber ..

I personally think ( body kit aside ) springs to give it less squat at the back when launching and a bit less body roll and some decent tyres is all the car needs ..

Ive read that the softer front anti roll bar off the lesser MG4s helps the X power's handling but thats alot of speculation not sure i want to mess around with buying one getting it fitted then if its not good replacing it back with stock one ..

yes i could do it myself with the right tools but i really dont have the time !!

ive purchased my lowered H&R springs once fitted im going to see how it changes ( if at all ) using stock rubber as a test then change the rubber to pilot sport 5s which i know will make a difference !!

Overall though i must say the car lowered looks MUCH MUCH better !!

The bodykit just sets it off in my opinion!!

Lighter wheels may help a little bit but more for looks than anything else in my opinion!!

This may also answer that question "should i get my X power lowered " my answer is YES !

So my question is What do you guys/gals think ??

 

[salty]

Agreed to a point ..maybe it's me coming from my 2012 volvo s60 t6 awd which had less power a sedan better tyres and in general a more refined package ..

I also wonder if my expectations are to high being as you are pushing 320kW not 250kW through a different package there has to be limitations at some point where unless im sitting on super sticky UHP 345 tires on the front and rear 235s are just not capable enough !!

That said there are some still fundamental things that the x power is lacking funnily there is this video

Whats funny is that MG Australia are looking to in house upgrading the Xpower anyway which means there is room for much needed improvement ..

body kit looks cool its just the sporty one made in Thailand..
wheels look cool but kinda MEH when still fitted with stock rubber ..

I personally think ( body kit aside ) springs to give it less squat at the back when launching and a bit less body roll and some decent tyres is all the car needs ..

Ive read that the softer front anti roll bar off the lesser MG4s helps the X power's handling but thats alot of speculation not sure i want to mess around with buying one getting it fitted then if its not good replacing it back with stock one ..

yes i could do it myself with the right tools but i really dont have the time !!

ive purchased my lowered H&R springs once fitted im going to see how it changes ( if at all ) using stock rubber as a test then change the rubber to pilot sport 5s which i know will make a difference !!

Overall though i must say the car lowered looks MUCH MUCH better !!

The bodykit just sets it off in my opinion!!

Lighter wheels may help a little bit but more for looks than anything else in my opinion!!

This may also answer that question "should i get my X power lowered " my answer is YES !

So my question is What do you guys/gals think ??

Agreed, definitely needs lowering, it looks great. And might, just might handle a tad better. Better tyres might also help. Michelin Pilot Sport 5s, seem to be a good choice. Agree, lighter wheels might also help. The body kits looks good too.
There's a lot of mights in this post, coz at the end of the day, we really don't know. Look forward to seeing your springs fitted, with before and after pics.
???

 

[Kompakted]

Agreed to a point ..maybe it's me coming from my 2012 volvo s60 t6 awd which had less power a sedan better tyres and in general a more refined package ..

I also wonder if my expectations are to high being as you are pushing 320kW not 250kW through a different package there has to be limitations at some point where unless im sitting on super sticky UHP 345 tires on the front and rear 235s are just not capable enough !!

That said there are some still fundamental things that the x power is lacking funnily there is this video

Whats funny is that MG Australia are looking to in house upgrading the Xpower anyway which means there is room for much needed improvement ..

body kit looks cool its just the sporty one made in Thailand..
wheels look cool but kinda MEH when still fitted with stock rubber ..

I personally think ( body kit aside ) springs to give it less squat at the back when launching and a bit less body roll and some decent tyres is all the car needs ..

Ive read that the softer front anti roll bar off the lesser MG4s helps the X power's handling but thats alot of speculation not sure i want to mess around with buying one getting it fitted then if its not good replacing it back with stock one ..

yes i could do it myself with the right tools but i really dont have the time !!

ive purchased my lowered H&R springs once fitted im going to see how it changes ( if at all ) using stock rubber as a test then change the rubber to pilot sport 5s which i know will make a difference !!

Overall though i must say the car lowered looks MUCH MUCH better !!

The bodykit just sets it off in my opinion!!

Lighter wheels may help a little bit but more for looks than anything else in my opinion!!

This may also answer that question "should i get my X power lowered " my answer is YES !

So my question is What do you guys/gals think ??

But compared to a Volvo that's on a platform that's been developed and redeveloped over 20-30 years it possibly will feel less refined. In terms of developing handling characteristics of an electric performance car, manufacturers are still learning in terms of how to handle aspects such as battery weight and placement, comparatively high stances of EVs and the way power is delivered.



This is the review that convinced me to take the plunge with the Xpower after watching all the Debbie Downers on it. I watched his other videos and theres one about him picking up his new Civic Type R. So this is a guy that owns the "purists" hot hatch but is absolutely raving about the handling characteristics of the xpower and also is one of the few who visually pushes the car on roads for a considerable distance rather than just do a few launches and then just drives it about normally. Therefore I trusted what he was saying. Almost 5 months on from delivery I would absolutely agree with his assessment.

 

[ilukey77]

Agreed, definitely needs lowering, it looks great. And might, just might handle a tad better. Better tyres might also help. Michelin Pilot Sport 5s, seem to be a good choice. Agree, lighter wheels might also help. The body kits looks good too.
There's a lot of mights in this post, coz at the end of the day, we really don't know. Look forward to seeing your springs fitted, with before and after pics.
???

current pics not lowered !!

 

[salty]

View attachment 29743

View attachment 29744
current pics not lowered !!

Nice motor. But would definitely benefit from a nice lowering. H&R Springs are perfect about 30mm. ??

 

[ilukey77]

Nice motor. But would definitely benefit from a nice lowering. H&R Springs are perfect about 30mm. ??

40mm would be better looks wise it would just have the arch closer to the top of the tyre and look much better but the i feel there will be problems with it being way too low and the underneath hitting on things and maybe too stiff and tyres fouling on guards under acceleration !!

30mm would indeed look better but my reasoning is the handling and the launch the video i posted about the lowering i asked a question if it was stiffer in the rear and the reviewer said yes its a bit firmer and doesn't float around so much when launching which is my reasoning for lowering it above all,,

In a previous quote i feel the car lifts to much at the front ( by squatting to much at the rear ) and in doing so traction feels less and the car wanders across the road hopefully the springs will stiffen up the rear forcing the front to stay more planted on the road instead of its massive rear squat it has now under heavy acceleration !!

better tyres will fix the traction issues it has in general !!

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

If you have read any of my "back posts" you'll know that I want to lower mine.

Looked into it a long time ago tbf.

Just not wanting to cloud any fix that MG come up with for the vibes.

And although my vibes are very minimal, completely eradicated would be ideal.

I can see them saying " Ooo, have you lowered that Mr Bricktop?"

Why yes I have.

"Then why don't you take your modified motor and Cough Off"

 

[ilukey77]

If you have read any of my "back posts" you'll know that I want to lower mine.

Looked into it a long time ago tbf.

Just not wanting to cloud any fix that MG come up with for the vibes.

And although my vibes are very minimal, completely eradicated would be ideal.

I can see them saying " Ooo, have you lowered that Mr Bricktop?"

Why yes I have.

"Then why don't you take your modified motor and Cough Off"

I really hate to be negative but with basically radio silence on the vibes..

Myself personally I’ve come to the conclusion that there is 2 options ( neither great )
1.forget about a fix and live with it ..
Or
2. Do your head in trying to get a fix because frankly I haven’t got the time or energy to keep sending it back to a dealer to get the issue sorted ..

Maybe it’s a easy way out for MG but people with the vibe and unhappy with the out come will ultimately buy something different next time there are literally 100s of MG4 x power alternatives coming out in the next few years..

Has MG dropped the ball, 100% yes and shame on them and their silence proves to fix the problem is to shut up and hope customers get sick of complaining..

I was optimistic at first but now I’m happy enough with my car to do the mods I want sit on it for the length of the warranty then throw it away and by that time buy a better more refined EV

Don’t blame you for trying but I wouldn’t let doing the mods to the car you want and enjoying your car !!

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

I really hate to be negative but with basically radio silence on the vibes..

Myself personally I’ve come to the conclusion that there is 2 options ( neither great )
1.forget about a fix and live with it ..
Or
2. Do you’re head in trying to get a fix because frankly I haven’t got the time or energy to keep sending it back to a dealer to get the issue sorted ..

Maybe it’s a easy way out for MG but people with the vibe and unhappy with the out come will ultimately buy something different next time there are literally 100s of MG4 x power alternatives coming out in the next few years..

Has MG dropped the ball 100% yes and shame on them and their silence proves to fix the problem is to shut up and hope customers get sick of complaining..

I was optimistic at first but now I’m happy enough with my car to do the mods I want sit on it for the length of the warranty then throw it away and by that time buy a better more refined EV

Don’t blame you for trying but I wouldn’t let doing the mods to the car you want and enjoying your car !!

You're not negative m8, that's your position and I respect that.

A small drop on the car will definitely look better but it is not the be all and end all for me.

I get lots of enjoyment from my car the way it is now, and if I was planning to track it, the drop would be nice to have, but for the road, at legal road speeds, it will make very little difference at all. (IMO)

My main reason though, as stated earlier is that I am not willing for MG to turn round and tell me they won't fix it because I've modified it.

My dealer already knows I won't be purchasing another MG product if they don't eventually resolve the issue.

I'm sure I'm not alone with that view either.

So MG can either fix it or lose future custom from folk who gave them a chance this time round.

 

[ilukey77]

Your not negative m8, that's your position and I respect that.

A small drop on the car will definitely look better but it is not the be all and end all for me.

I get lots of enjoyment from my car the way it is now, and if I was planning to track it, the drop would be nice to have, but for the road, at legal road speeds, it will make very little difference at all. (IMO)

My main reason though, as stated earlier is that I am not willing for MG to turn round and tell me they won't fix it because I've modified it.

My dealer already knows I won't be purchasing another MG product if they don't eventually resolve the issue.

I'm sure I'm not alone with that view either.
So MG can either fix it or lose future custom from folk who gave them a chance this time round.

I agree on the legal speeds and on public roads the drop is going to do very little..

I feel the drop will help traction on heavy acceleration and will help with track days for sure..

 

[salty]

I agree on the legal speeds and on public roads the drop is going to do very little..

I feel the drop will help traction on heavy acceleration and will help with track days for sure..

Possibly, but let's face it, it's mostly for Aesthetic reasons. Would be for me anyway. IF it does happen to handle slightly better, that's a bonus. ??

 

[powerfulx]

I need the height, but would love bags.