MG Motor HS, eMG6, eRX5, Marvel X Driven

Roewe eRX5 – The electric version of the Roewe RX5 (Mazda naming?), we got to drive the eRX5 for a limited time wherein we could only test its safety systems. A simulation of snow conditions to demonstrate traction control and ABS wherein full acceleration on the slippery surface meant some torque steer but everything felt so easy and effortless as even on full throttle, it wouldn’t spin its wheels due to TCS kicking in and cutting power.

This was followed by a high speed slalom test wherein we witness the ESP working flawlessly on this car. I must admit, the eRX5 felt in control even when making quick turns around the cones. The interior of this car mimics that of latest generation Volvos with a similar tall infotainment screen and side AC vents. The range is good at 320 kms but the top speed is just 135 km/hr.

Roewe Marvel X – The latest car to be launched by the company, the Marvel X sits between the RX5 and the flagship 7/8 seater RX8 and is a pure electric vehicle. The spec sheet is impressive, the 52.5 kWh battery ensures the Marvel X goes from 0 to 100 km/hr in just 4.8 seconds with power being channeled to all wheels while the power and torque figures stand at 300 HP and 665 Nm respectively. It charges to 80% in just 40 minutes and the range is an impressive 500 kms.

The Marvel X is thoroughly impressive on multiple fronts, it drives very well too

Before you step inside, you have to open the door with the Jaguar F-Type style pop out door handles and once inside, you will be reminded of Porsche for the dashboard has a resemblance and the massive 14-inch infotainment screen will remind you of the Tesla Model X. As soon as I stepped on the accelerator pedal, I was pushed back in the seat, there is a kick in the pants feel and the Marvel X accelerates with great urgency, I was impressed. As I came around a corner, the steering felt the best of all the cars I drove that day, offering good feel, aided by the stiff suspension which felt a bit uncomfortable on the rough roads section of the track.

The Marvel X is a spacious car, it has good amount of interior room, even at the rear and the seats are well cushioned too. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster (where front camera display is there), crisp graphics, autonomous cruise control (which we sampled too) and a slew of other technologies in the Marvel X showed the tech muscle of SAIC. The car’s infotainment system was running AliOS (developed by AliBaba) and there was a drone mode too which is currently in beta.

So if I have to give a common theme to the latest MG cars, I would say they have good quality, the plastics are hard on the lower side of the dashboard, the design is attractive, there is good amount of space, performance is linear, NVH and refinement is simply outstanding, the ride comfort is great, handling is good and the equipment list is very generous. None of the cars we drove will be making it to India in the near future but shows the capability of the Chinese automaker. MG Motor promises us that the cars they will launch in India will offer great bang for the buck and after witnessing the company’s existing vehicles and operations, we firmly believe the company has everything in its arsenal to pleasantly surprise us when their first car for India, a C-segment SUV is launched in April 2019.