Weightlifting

[Alb]

Anybody notice how incredibly heavy the bonnet is on the MG5?

 

[Neil Fellows]

Yes! Got my new 5 delivered yesterday and lifted the bonnet to see what (isn't) there, and couldn't believe how heavy it was.

 

[Kithmo]

Anybody notice how incredibly heavy the bonnet is on the MG5?

Same on the ZS, imagine trying to remove it.
I was shocked, coming from the Prius which has a small aluminium bonnet to this huge heavy one.
I think, unless it's part of the crumple zone, they could have made it out of plastic as there's not as much heat under it as in an ICE.

 

[Alb]

I'd be very interested to know why it is so heavy. I'm sure it must be for a particular reason.

 

[Deleted member 3150]

How about drilling holes and cutting long slots, then fitting go faster shiny plastic grills, all that weight saved might be more range and faster acceleration. Maybe there should be a dragster aftermarket accessory kit?

 

[Stuwit46]

I reckon it's to keep the front end down and the car in as straight a line as possible when accelerating in Sport mode

 

[LeoRBK]

I'd be very interested to know why it is so heavy. I'm sure it must be for a particular reason.

The body panels are derived from the ZS ICE and MG5 ICE. I am assuming engineering cost is one of the reasons they did not care to update body but limited modifications to drive train and electronics.

Now, this is pure speculation, I think an aluminium bonnet might be more expensive than equivalent steel to produce in terms of material cost and different metal press in the factory.

Maybe if they set up a new assembly line for a new car they may care to update body panels to lightweight materials.

BTW, the doors are incredibly lightweight but somehow manage to shut with a very reassuring thud.

 

[Alb]

Whether the design is legacy or new, the bonnet is still way heavier than I've experienced on any other car I've encountered so it's not a question of heavyweight v lightweight but heavyweight v normal weight.