MG3 - well priced, endearing and fun

Road Test

by Mark Slack

MG are making a bit of a name for themselves producing affordable EVs, and pitting themselves against more established makers charging a premium for their EVs. MG’s main models though are SUVs, understandable given their popularity, but the non ­ electric MG3 (available when MG start ed under its new Chinese owner) remains in the price lists.

This five ­ door hatchback is smart and equipment laden and by today’s standards a bit of a bargain. The two models start from €16,162/ £13,820 with standard equipment in cluding powered and heated door mirrors, air conditioning, power windows, DAB sound system with Apple Car Play, Bluetooth, remote steering wheel controls, eight­inch colour touchscreen, hill hold and auto door locking. The higher trim version at €18,151/£15,520 adds navigation, cruise control, parking camera and sports seats.

The Achilles heel of the MG3 is its engine, a fourcylinder, 1.5 ­ litre petrol unit that is best described as old school technology.

Mated to a manual fivespeed gearbox the combination is adequate, but lacks sufficient power and at cruising speed you always find yourself going for a sixth gear that isn’t there.

At 70mph the MG sits at around 3,200 rpm, which makes things a tad busy where a more relaxed gearing pattern would help. The need to work the engine also doesn’t help the economy, my mainly local driving week saw a 7.2 l/100km (39mpg) average.

On cross country roads the MG comes alive with decent steering and a slightly firm suspension set ­ up that keeps the car sitting quite flat through energetic cornering. The power is at the higher end of the engine’s rev range and with a nice gear change makes it a fun drive.

As an example the admittedly more adept and capable Vauxhall Corsa will still set you back €22,296/£19,085, that’s a substantial difference. Of course, the Corsa will depreciate less, most likely prove as, if not more, durable on the quality front and overall feel more polished. Keep the MG for a longer time though and allied to that cheaper price tag it makes for an appealing proposition.

Despite some misgivings the MG is an endearing car, it handles well, is good fun and very well priced. It’s comfortable with a good driving position and for those on a budget the cheapest way to get a new car that is a bit different to the normal mass of budget cars, and actually doesn’t look like a budget model.

BOXING legend Floyd Mayweather Jr on Sunday June 11, took on the grandson of New York gangster John Gotti in Florida in his latest exhibition fight. But a brawl broke out when the fight was halted in the sixth round.

The fight was due to be eight rounds of two minutes each, but the referee Kenny Bayliss waved it off in the sixth, which greatly displeased Mayweather’s opponent. Daily Loud posted a video on Twitter saying: “Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition fight with John Gotti III ends in massive brawl.”

Gotti, 30, evidently didn’t believe the fight was over as he pushed past the referee to swing at Mayweather after the fight had officially ended. He had been clearly irritated by Mayweather’s dominance and had wanted to get the last word in.

Unfortunately, he was up against the living legend ‘Money’ Mayweather, who in typical style weaved and bobbed until he could land the superior strike in the postfight exchange. Shortly after this, the fighters’ teams swarmed the ring and chaos ensued.

The chaos spilt over into the crowd and backstage area of the FLA Live Arena in Florida.