Now if only it made turbo noises instead of spaceship ones.
MG introduced the EX4 all-electric race car in a teaser video, suggesting it will be one of the many EVs battling for supremacy at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. But it might have a tough time keeping up with the fanfare around the new Ioniq 5 N.
The EX4 is a tribute to the MG Metro 6R4 rally car and the homologation special the British company was required to build before the car could go racing. The racing version was built specifically for the bonkers Group B rally era, which was killed off because it killed too many people. MG (Austin Rover at the time) entered the 6R4 in the 1985 Lombard RAC Rally, where it finished third. It never exceeded that because Group B was axed midway through the 1986 season.
MG did not say whether it would go for gold up the Duke of Richmond's driveway, but how can it not? This is a prime opportunity for the EX4 to score the victory its spiritual successor failed to claim nearly 40 years ago.
It's here! Introducing the MG EX4. Paying homage to the iconic Metro 6R4, the all-new MG EX4 embodies the spirit of its legendary predecessor. Witness the thrilling unveiling at @fosgoodwood.#MG #MGUK #MGMotor #MGMotorUK #MGEX4 #FOS pic.twitter.com/f0tFqbXxoX
— MG Motor UK (@MGmotor) July 12, 2023
It was built to make the Metro cool in its home country, which was a tall ask. There were newer and better rivals like the Ford Fiesta (also recently culled for good), but after a few WRC entries, the Metro started selling in decent numbers again. The 6R4 Clubman, the homologation road-legal model, has become a collector's item and is widely regarded as one of the wildest hot hatches ever built. It's why there was so much excitement when MST Cars announced an epic 450-hp restomod version.
After Group B was canceled, the rally team sold all the parts, and most ended up at Tom Walkinshaw Racing. Walkinshaw bolted two turbochargers to the engine and created the infamous Jaguar XJ220.
We suspect the EX4 is also attending for marketing purposes to prove that MG still knows how to build a fun car. The highly-anticipated MG Cyberster will be making its global debut in production spec at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and will definitely be going up the hill. The Cyberster's technical details are still under wraps, but the EX4 will likely use the same components to show the crowds what would happen if MG decided to dial its electric roadster all the way up to 11.
It will be interesting to see how the Cyberster compares to the Caterham Project V, which is also electric and weighs less than a Toyota GR86.
The era of the lightweight electric sports car is finally here.
Keyword: MG EX4 Channels Historic Metro 6R4 Rally Monster At Goodwood Festival Of Speed