New MG3 to become Britain’s most affordable hybrid car

Chinese car maker MG Motor has unveiled its new MG3 supermini, which will be powered exclusively by a new hybrid powertrain.

It comes more than a decade after the original MG3 launched and promises more space, a plusher interior and improved fuel efficiency and eco credentials.

But this will come at a cost. The existing 3 is among the cheapest new cars in showrooms today starting from just over £14,000; the least expensive second-generation mode could be around 30-40 per cent pricier – so around the £18,000 to £20,000 mark.

Britain’s cheapest full hybrid car: This is the new MG3 Hybrid+, which is set to become the nation’s least expensive hybrid model

MG3 exclusively goes hybrid 

The big news for the MG3 is what’s under the bonnet.

Dubbed a ‘Hybrid+’ system, it uses a combination of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor powered by a small battery, all of which send power to the front wheels.

The compact battery pack is just 1.83kWh and there’s a separate generator motor that can feed energy to it or directly to the e-motor if it’s required during driving.

The MG3 is widely expected to be priced below the Toyota Yaris (£22,630) and Renault Clio E-Tech (£21,295). This will make it the most affordable full hybrid in Britain

Under the skin: The ‘Hybrid ‘ system uses uses a combination of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor powered by a small battery, all of which send power to the front wheels. The compact battery pack is just 1.83kWh and mounted at the rear

The combined power output of the hybrid system is 192bhp, which is pretty potent for a run-of-the-mill supermini.

Will it fit in my garage? MG3 Hybrid+

On sale: March 2024

Price: from approx £18-£20k

– PERFORMANCE 

Powertrain: ‘Hybrid+’ combination of 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol and 100kW electric motor

Power: 192mph

Battery: 1.83kWh (350V)

Transmission: 3-speed auto

Drive: Front-wheel drive

Top speed: 106mph

Acceleration 0-62mph: 8.0 seconds

Combined CO2 emissions: 100g/km

Fuel economy: 64mpg

– DIMENSIONS

Height: 1,502mm

Length: 4,113mm

Width: 1,797mm

Wheelbase: 2,570mm

Kerb weight: 1,298kg

Boot capacity: 293 litres

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The electric motor alone produces 250Nm of torque, which means it should be extremely punch from low speeds, which is perfect for town driving when you need to dart out of junctions and get from traffic light to traffic light.

On paper, MG says the 3 will be able to hit 62mph from a standing start in around eight seconds – some 2.5 seconds faster than the pokiest version of the current MG3 with a petrol engine.

The e-motor’s punch also means accelerating from 50mph to 75mph – for situations such as entering a motorway from a slip road – takes just five seconds.

As well as improved performance, there’s plenty of environmental and running cost gains of switching to a hybrid powertrain.

Official fuel economy tests says it can return up to 64mpg, while CO2 emissions drop to 100g/km, which is good news for Vehicle Excise Duty (aka car tax). 

Its green achievements are helped dramatically by the 3’s ability to be driven using just the e-motor for short periods at speeds up to 50mph – but given the very compact size of the battery, the EV mode will only last for a handful of miles. 

Being a hybrid, there’s no manual gearbox option. Instead, customers get a three-speed automatic transmission.

Bosses say it should be better than the conventional single-speed CVT automatic ‘boxes found in smaller hybrid models, which often rev high and can be a little dimwitted.

The three-speed transmission ‘allows for both an efficient and enjoyable driving experience’ and ‘responsive acceleration, while also providing smooth and refined shifting,’ the Chinese maker says.

There’s also a trio of driving modes: Eco, Standard and Sport.

While these adjust how urgently the power is provided, there are also five automatic settings for the powertrain that can adjust whether the petrol engine is used to predominantly send power to the wheels, generate energy from the e-motor or battery, or shutting off completely.

MG has made the 3 supermini bigger, extending its dimensions both length and width ways

The larger measurements should mean more interior space, especially for rear-seat passengers

The boot size – with the rear backrests upright – is 293 litres, which is better than the Yaris. The rear bench seats fold down for extra space, but it doesn’t have a flat load space

A bigger MG3 – and sportier too 

MG has made the 3 supermini bigger, extending its dimensions both length and width ways to free up more space for passengers.

The extended measurements also mean more boot space, with the capacity increasing to 293 litres (previous 285 litres), which gazumps the Yaris by seven litres and is just eight litres less than the Clio E-Tech.

The rear bench backrests fold down, but there’s a significant ledge (likely a result of the battery being stored below) that means there isn’t a flush loading space. 

Styling wise, the MG3 has been brought into line with some of its latest sister models, including the impressive MG4 and forthcoming Cyberster roadster.

In terms of looks, the MG3  has a wider grille that’s flanked by a pair of air intakes, the brand’s latest swept-back headlight clusters and a pronounced bonnet buldge

There are prominent lines in the MG3’s profile, while the rear gets a fatter bumper and faux rear diffuser to complete the more aggressive, sporty styling

This includes a bigger front grille that now spans the width of the car and is flanked by air intakes and complimented by a splitter below the bumper to give a sportier look to the compact model.

It also gets the brand’s current swept-back LED headlight cluster, a bulge in the bonnet, more chiselled profile and sporty alloy wheel design.

The more aggressive look continues at the back, with a fatter bumper giving a bulkier presence and a faux rear diffuser.

The cabin has been overhauled to feel more upmarket to compete with its European and Japanese rivals

Even the cheapest entry-spec models come with this pair of raised displays – the the digital instrument cluster (right) is 7 inches, while the main infotainment screen is just under 11

The square steering wheel is taken from the bigger MG4 EV, while the gear selector for the automatic transmission is a rotary dial in the centre console

Plusher interior

Inside, there’s been a dramatic upgrade to make the MG3 feel comparable to hybrid supermini rivals, like the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris.

The dashboard is dominated by a pair of floating displays, with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, both of which have improved graphics and responsiveness.

There’s only dashboard-mounted switches for main controls, such as the climate settings and radio volume, and additional buttons on the squared-off steering wheel, which is lifted from the MG4.

The gear selector in the centre console is a rotary dial, rather than a traditional lever. 

With the addition of hybrid power, a high spec as standard and a more premium interior, prices are rising compared to the existing MG3 (which launched over a decade ago). Still, the new MG3 will become the cheapest full-hybrid car you can buy in Britain this year

Here’s the bad bit – the price rise

From launch, it will be sold in two trim levels: SE and Trophy.

The entry version comes loaded with equipment and tech; the pair of cabin digital displays, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB charging ports, air-conditioning, satellite navigation, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are all standard fit features.

In terms of safety, it also gets a raft of driver assistance systems not commonly found on low-price superminis. This includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while forward-collision warning also comes as standard.

The Trophy trim adds extra luxuries like leather-style materials on the seats and interior panels, keyless entry, heated front seats and steering wheel and even a 360-degree parking camera to give a bird’s eye view of the car as your manoeuvring into a bay.

The MG’s greener powertrain and big step upmarket will come at a cost, though.

Prices for UK models are due to be announced next month, but will definitely come at a premium over the £14,320 for the current version.

The SE variant is expected to ring in between £18,000 and £20,000, which will be a big price hike but will see the MG become the cheapest conventional hybrid on sale in Britain.

That said, the Renault Clio E-Tech starts from £21,295 and the cheapest Toyota Yaris is £22,630, making the MG more affordable than its closest rivals.

David Allison, of MG Motor UK, said: ‘With all the attributes to become a leader in its class, the all-new MG3 will offer customers a combination of efficiency and performance with MG’s exciting Hybrid+ powertrain.

‘More refined, yet also bringing MG’s fun-to-drive philosophy to the market, the MG3 is excellently equipped, both with premium interior features and MG Pilot safety systems.’