Overview

The all-new second-generation MG3 has been unveiled

The ‘Hybrid Plus’ system, as MG calls it, uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor to drive the front wheels. Combined power output for the MG3 is 192bhp, with up to 250Nm of torque available from the electric motor alone.

A separate generator motor is used to feed energy to the MG3’s 1.83kWh battery, or directly to the main e-motor if need be. Meanwhile, the petrol engine is mated to a three-speed automatic transmission that MG touts as being more responsive than the CVT gearboxes often used by hybrid cars.

The main benefit of the Hybrid Plus powertrain is efficiency, with the new MG3 officially capable of returning up to 64mpg, with CO2 emissions of 100g/km. This is aided by the car’s ability to drive on pure-electric power for short periods, and up to 50mph in EV mode.

But with the electric motor alone producing 134bhp – more than the petrol engine, in fact – MG says it handles much of the heavy lifting, including accelerating, before the engine has to lend a hand or take over.

As a result, the new MG3 boasts impressive performance stats for a hybrid supermini. The 0-62mph sprint is taken care of in eight seconds, compared with more than nine seconds for its Clio and Yaris rivals, or 10.4 seconds in the current pure-petrol MG3. The new model also needs just five seconds to get from 50-75mph – as required when joining the motorway, for example.

Drivers are offered the usual trio of Eco, Standard and Sport drive modes, while the car automatically selects one of its five possible powertrain modes depending on whether it wants the engine focused on providing drive, energy for the e-motor, charge for the battery, or to remain dormant.

Design-wise, the MG3’s front end is defined by the gigantic grille stretching across the face of the car, flanked by a set of similarly large air intakes, with a ‘carbon fibre’ splitter below. By contrast, the rear end is a much simpler affair.

Sprinkled throughout are elements shared with the all-electric MG4 hatchback and MG Cyberster sports car. Like those models, the new MG3 features swept-back LED headlights, flowing bodywork, pronounced bonnet lines and large chrome MG badge on the sharp nose.

SE includes MG Pilot, Rear Parking Sensors, 10.25” Colour Touchscreen with Satellite Navigation, Apple CarPlay™, and Android Auto™ as standard.

Alternatively, choose the top-of-the-range Trophy starting from £20,495, with Heated Front Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, 360° Camera, Leather Style Upholstery, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Zone Detection with Lane Change Assist, and Keyless Entry.

Call today for more information and to arrange a test drive