MG4 Software Update Thread

[GameZone]

At this point R59 (and R33) are quite old, we are due some more updates. Still lots of bugs in R59 yet.

Anyone seen any evidence of a new version coming?

I am a little worried they aren't focusing on the MG4 any more due to the imminent facelift and that future updates will be prioritised for the facelifted car.

R59 isn't even out in Norway, yet.. Lol. Meanwhile 9 year old Teslas are getting updates.

 

[Geekice]

I’ll try this tonight!!!
Thanks for the info

I tried downloading the map using the VIN of an SE, but, as expected, it shows an "Invalid VIN".

 

[leonkernan]

In terms of technology, the AVN system is completely outdated—it’s essentially an Android box with a custom manufacturer interface. It can’t compare to what BYD, Renault, Stellantis or VW offer, not to mention the lack of responsiveness and the bugs.

BYD's system is literally Android with a custom GUI.
So are a lot of other manufacturers.

I tried downloading the map using the VIN of an SE, but, as expected, it shows an "Invalid VIN".

The navigation system uses Telenav maps format if you can find another source.

 

[tsedge]

BYD's system is literally Android with a custom GUI.
So are a lot of other manufacturers.

Yes, the use of Android isn't a bad thing per se, it is more how modern the system is.

I think the next generation will be a big step up (as seen in the MG ES5), it looks much more Tesla-esque and drives a big screen.

The first generation systems in the MG5 and MGZS were very poor, the current generation is significantly better, so perhaps third generation will be when they catch up?

 

[leonkernan]

I think the next generation will be a big step up (as seen in the MG ES5), it looks much more Tesla-esque and drives a big screen.

Would you be surprised to learn that the software is basically the same?
You can do a lot with an Android skin.

For example, the MG4 software has quite a few references to MG ZS and also to EC32, perhaps better known as Cyberster...

 

[tsedge]

Would you be surprised to learn that the software is basically the same?
You can do a lot with an Android skin.

For example, the MG4 software has quite a few references to MG ZS and also to EC32, perhaps better known as Cyberster...

I've heard it talked about as a brand new system, not the same as in the other models, but if you know more, fair enough.

 

[DixieTGS]

At this point we know they're identical hardware except for the surround cameras and rear speakers.

Are any of the camera connections present on an SE? The surround cameras and voice commands are the only 2 things from a Trophy that I feel would be useful to me.

 

[leonkernan]

I've heard it talked about as a brand new system, not the same as in the other models, but if you know more, fair enough.

I don't know, but i've seen enough references to think they aren't throwing everything out between versions.

 

[Adam64]

Hi,

I've tried downloading the R59 and R46 files to try update my car but when trying to extract or open the file in windows i get a popup sayings it's currupt and will not move to USB. Any ideas on how to fix?

 

[kiwi]

I wonder if MG fulfil their open source software disclosure obligations?

Maybe, they could have the honour of becoming the host of the first open source community developed car platform? Be an interesting problem for regulators, how to deal with user community developed car operating systems. The EU has been a champion of open competition with anti Microsoft, Apple, and Google rulings.

If that happens, how do they maintain the safety requirements like those that drove the LKA “feature” if users turn out not to want them and vendors lose the ability to force customers to accept them?

Vive la révolution…

 

[leonkernan]

Are any of the camera connections present on an SE? The surround cameras and voice commands are the only 2 things from a Trophy that I feel would be useful to me.

Here's the connector diagrams for both models. They certainly look the same to me.
The SE one has the right wires unpopulated.

 

[kiwi]

The need for new looms would torpedo easy upgrades through module additions.

 

[Rolfe]

I can confirm the GPS antenna is present…
View attachment 31974
It even displays “3D data available” so I’m fairly certain it’s the same as the Trophy in terms of hardware.

I can open the Nav app from the main menu, and it briefly displays the arrow before closing itself, as there are no maps installed.

Keep us posted because this is really interesting, but to be honest I'm pretty happy with Android Auto and Google maps. What advantage do you see in co-opting the Trophy navigation system?

 

[the happy bunny]

Keep us posted because this is really interesting, but to be honest I'm pretty happy with Android Auto and Google maps. What advantage do you see in co-opting the Trophy navigation system?

Sure! I’ll do some more tinkering tonight. I've managed to download the .zip file using the new website, despite having a SE.
Thanks again, @ardsar
I suppose their database is linked to the currently activated systems, and since my car is now under R59, it may be identified as a Trophy.

AA/CP are smoother, more stable, and far better in every respect. I agree that the interest is somewhat limited; however, there are some benefits to having an integrated navigation system:

• On short trips, you don't always plug your phone in.
• On longer journeys, an integrated navigation system will provide you with a better estimation of the arrival state of charge and can recalculate the route based on actual battery usage.

 

[BingBong]

Hi, my dealer did today some updates for me including the 1 kp/h ACC update. But TJA is still doing some hard brakes and and save different space between cars at complete stop.

There is a fix for that? Maybe there is another module to update?

 

[the happy bunny]

Same problem… it starts, then when reaching about 60%, it fails after a MD5 checksum error

 

[NLMGSAN]

Sure! I’ll do some more tinkering tonight. I've managed to download the .zip file using the new website, despite having a SE.
Thanks again, @ardsar
I suppose their database is linked to the currently activated systems, and since my car is now under R59, it may be identified as a Trophy.

AA/CP are smoother, more stable, and far better in every respect. I agree that the interest is somewhat limited; however, there are some benefits to having an integrated navigation system:

• On short trips, you don't always plug your phone in.
• On longer journeys, an integrated navigation system will provide you with a better estimation of the arrival state of charge and can recalculate the route based on actual battery usage.

The navi will give you a guided map with charge stations.

 

[Rolfe]

AA/CP are smoother, more stable, and far better in every respect. I agree that the interest is somewhat limited; however, there are some benefits to having an integrated navigation system:

• On short trips, you don't always plug your phone in.
• On longer journeys, an integrated navigation system will provide you with a better estimation of the arrival state of charge and can recalculate the route based on actual battery usage.

I do plug my phone in if I need the live traffic data, though.

Maybe I'm just a control freak, but I know where I want to stop, and I don't want my car deciding to navigate somewhere else. I'll take steps to conserve power to reach my chosen stop if I have to, or if that's not going to work, I'd prefer it was me who made the decision about the back-up stop, not the car. Which isn't really concerned about the menu.

 

[the happy bunny]

The advantages are fairly minor, especially without nav, but since it just works, I’m keeping my car on 1300R59 for now and will plan to downgrade back to 1100R33 a couple of days before it goes in for servicing.

To get the navigation working, I’d need either an older MPU version, like 1300R40, or a different version of the maps—which I currently don’t have. However, this experiment has been useful in understanding what happens when you install a Trophy firmware on an SE model: what works and what doesn’t.

If a future Trophy firmware with enhanced features gets leaked, it might be worth trying on the SE.

——

My current configuration:

• MPU: 1300R59
• MCU: 69.3.8.0 (I chose to revert to the original MCU from R33, I’ve experienced no ill effects so far)

New Features in 1300R59 (previously unavailable in 1100R33)

• Weather display
• Amazon Music
• Ability to restrict charging to a certain percentage even with the LFP battery
• 4G Hotspot/Wi-Fi
• MG TouchPoint

Features unavailable in 1300R59 (previously available in 1100R33)

• As far as I’ve tested: None, but the “switch off car” button is not readily available on the drop-down menu anymore (it’s still located of course in the menus)

Trophy features not (yet?) available due to software limitations:

• Navigation: The elephant in the room.
• Voice control: Pressing the voice command button brings up the voice UI, but it’s not functional since the voice engine isn’t installed. It may be possible to install it using the “Map & VR data USB upgrade” option in the system menu if we can grab the correct file.
• Navigation/ display in the instrument cluster: Requires an additional ECU upgrade.

Trophy features not functional on the SE due to hardware limitations

• Heated steering wheel: The SE model doesn’t have a heated steering wheel, so the icon in the A/C panel is inoperative.
• Immersive sound system: The SE lacks a subwoofer and some speakers, so this feature is not available.
• 3D cameras: Not installed in the SE. The UI only shows a diagram similar to R33’s, using the ultrasonic sensors (including distance).

 

[Rolfe]

Very useful!