The new MG 3 has been priced at £18,495, making it the cheapest full hybrid car on sale in the UK, ahead of the Renault Clio and the Toyota Yaris.
MG has also revealed specification details for the supermini, which is open for order now with deliveries set to begin imminently.
Its new Hybrid Plus powertrain – MG's first non-plug-in hybrid offering – combines a 101bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 107bhp electric motor to give a combined 192bhp and 313lb ft,
That makes it markedly more potent than the Clio and Yaris hybrids - and quicker too, with a 0-62mph time of 8.0sec.
Whereas the old 3 variously offered a five-speed automated manual or four-speed automatic gearbox, from launch the new car drives its front wheels through a three-speed auto, with a manual option coming later.
MG touted the performance benefits of this system "over the commonly used CVT transmission often found in hybrids", claiming its three-speeder avoids lag to give more responsive acceleration. For reference, the CVT-equipped Yaris needs 9.2sec to complete the 0-62mph sprint.
The extra poke doesn't come at the great expense of efficiency; MG claims the 3 will offer a combined 64.2mpg – almost 20mpg up on its predecessor – and have vastly reduced CO2 emissions, at 100g/km, both figures that stack it up neatly against its French and Japanese rivals.
The hybrid uses a 1.83kWh battery and gives the 3 enough juice to cover short distances at speeds of up to 50mph with the engine off. MG
Inside, the 3's cabin is an all-out departure from its predecessor, ushering in new 'floating' twin screens – a 7.0in driver's display and a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen – that feature new-look graphics and are more responsive.
The 3 will be sold in two trim levels in the UK. The range opens with the SE, which includes smartphone mirroring, four USB ports and a rear parking camera as standard. The £20,495 Trophy adds faux-leather seats (heated in the front), keyless entry and a 360deg parking camera. All cars get a suite of safety equipment plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
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£18-5k for an automatic hybrid seems good value to me,the only quibble is that there is only three speeds in the auto box but with that amount of pwer that is all you need, The pricing could be a wake up call for Suzuki UK when prices of the next generation are announced
Anyone who buys these shit boxes needs therapy.
Ford are completely abandoning their traditional customer base and obviously this will leave a big void for those wanting more basic, straightforward transport. Its a competitive market so its up to all the manufacturers to fill that void, if people choose something like this MG which I am sure is a decent vehicle, no-one can really complain.