MG3 2024 - Present

　　The British brand owned by the Chinese auto giant SAIC unveiled the supermini hatchback MG3 Hybrid + with an electrified drivetrain at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show.

　　SAIC bought the MG brand in 2007, and for a while, these old British marque products’ were no longer available in mainland Europe. But then, in 2022, it returned and scored big numbers on the EU market. After selling crossovers and EVs, MG introduced the B-Segment MG3 Hybrid+ at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show, almost a century after the brand’s registration in the UK, on May 1st, 1924. The new vehicle came fitted with a gas-electric drivetrain that challenged other similar cars on the market, especially the Yaris from Toyota.

　　The car’s front fascia was dominated by a wide grille adorned with a 3D pattern, flanked by a pair of side scoops. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker installed a lip spoiler in the center area with a slim, trapezoidal-shaped air intake. The LED headlights mounted above the bumper were swept back and had a triangular shape, while the automaker installed the octagonal MG badge between them. Despite the car’s small size, it looked sporty and aggressive.

　　From its profile, the mix of curved panels and sharp lines created a dynamic look for the vehicle. Its sculptured doors featured an upper crease stretched from the front fenders towards the rear quarter panels, while on the lower area, the automaker added a few additional lines. It was a complicated design. The rear end featured a raked-forward tailgate adorned by a roof spoiler on its upper side that integrated the third brake light. While most car manufacturers preferred to install small taillights on their B-segment vehicles, the MG3 Hybrid+ featured elongated ones, stretched from the rear fenders onto the tailgate.

　　Inside, customers found an octagonal-shaped, two-spoke steering wheel that resembled the brand’s badge. Fronting the driver was a seven-inch configurable display for the instrument cluster. Atop the center stack, in a free-floating position, MG placed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system that featured standard navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A set of seven physical buttons were found under the center display, and two of them were for the volume. This feature was appreciated by customers, especially by those seated in the passenger’s seat. Between the front occupants, on the center console, the automaker installed a rotary knob for the transmission, the button for the electronic parking brake, and a couple of cup holders. In addition, there was also an armrest with a storage area underneath it. In the back, the automaker installed a split-folding bench seat, while the trunk behind it provided 293 liters (10.3 cu-ft.) of space.

　　But the most significant part of the car was under the hood. MG installed an inline-four gasoline engine running in the Atkinson cycle. It was paired with a generator that produced the electricity for the motor to move the car. Another unique and unusual feature for a 2024 vehicle was the three-speed automatic gearbox that sent the power to the front wheels.

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