All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Hybrid

2025 MG3

Chinese company MG Motor (SAIC) has revealed the new generation of the most popular Chinese car in the UK, the MG3. This is a B-segment car that will now be available to all buyers in Europe, not just British buyers as it was before.

The car has a very aggressive front end design, with large air intakes. The front lights contribute to the dynamic look of this model, and the rear part has an attractive diffuser that gives the car a sporty look. With a length of 4.11 meters, it is equal to the size of the current Škoda Fabia. Customers will be able to choose from seven different body colors. It is equipped with a carbon fiber front splitter, alloy wheels, and many other components that it shares with the MG4 and the MG Cyberster sports car. The weight of the MG3 is 1,250 kg.

Inside, a 7-inch instrument panel and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen adorn the cabin of this model. It is equipped with an upgraded iSmart infotainment system, navigation, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an audio system with six speakers with Bluetooth connection, four USB ports, front and rear parking sensors, MG Pilot technology, which includes a lane keeping system, a system lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, collision warning and a system that warns of traffic jams. More luxurious versions will come with heated leather-trimmed seats, keyless entry, a heated steering wheel and a 360-degree camera. The new MG3 is available in three versions: Standard, Comfort and Luxury. The MG3 is a small car, but it’s still big enough to seat four passengers and offer a generous 293 liters of luggage space.

When it comes to the powertrain, the MG3 will be powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor with a total output of 192 hp (143 kW). Power is sent to the front wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds with a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).

The car should cost around 20,000 euros, and it will come with a 7-year warranty or 150,000 kilometers.

Source: MG

EV

2025 Renault 5 E-Tech Electric

At the beginning of the 70s, Renault’s engineers had the task of developing a car that would fill the gap between the Renault 4 and the Citroen 2CV. The result was Renault 5. The best-selling model in France until 1980 when Renault expanded its offering in this class. Now the French manufacturer has premiered the electric version of this model, the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric.

The car is 3.92 meters long, 1.77 meters wide and 1.5 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.54 meters. A retro-futuristic design that gives it a modern look while staying true to its roots. The design of the front lights and vertical rear lights pay homage to the legendary Renault 5, just like the pronounced wheel arches. The rear door handles are integrated into the base of the C-pillars to create the illusion of a three-door body like the original. It is equipped with a multi-link rear independent suspension, a heat pump for quick heating of the interior and a system for recuperating energy by braking, which is used to charge the battery.

Inside, the vertical stitching on the dash and ventilation openings in the shape of a rectangle are reminiscent of the original. There is also a 7.0- or 10.0-inch screen of the digital instrument cluster depending on the version, a 10.0-inch screen of the infotainment system. Although it is a small car, the capacity of the luggage compartment is 326 liters. It is larger than the Twingo, but smaller than the Clio, and is the first model based on the AmpR Small platform previously known as the CMF-B EV.

When it comes to the powertrain, the 40 kWh battery version is powered by an electric motor with 95 hp (71 kW) and 159 lb-ft (215 Nm) of torque or 120 hp (89 kW) and 166 lb-ft (225 Nm) of torque , which is enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10 seconds. It weighs 1,350 kg. The slightly heavier version (1,450 kg) is equipped with a 52 kWh battery, and is powered by an electric motor with 150 hp (110 kW) and 181 lb-ft (245 Nm) of torque. It reaches 62 mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a range of 400 km.

The price of the new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric will be around 25,000 euros.

Source: Renault

Gallery:

2025 Renault 5 E-Tech Electric
News

Bugatti Bolide will have the largest carbon brakes

Four years ago, Bugatti revealed a concept car based on the Chiron, the Bugatti Bolide. It is a really powerful car that is capable of reaching a speed of more than 400 km/h, and that requires serious control, i.e. braking force to stop this beast. From now on, the Bolide will be equipped with the largest carbon brakes that Brembo has ever produced.

It’s a special set of carbon brakes with eight-piston front and six-piston rear monobloc calipers, each made of nickel-plated aluminum, mounted on 15.3-inch (38.86 cm) carbon discs. There are also four brake pads on each wheel, and when you put it all together, you get the biggest carbon brake system Brembo has ever made.

According to Bugatti, these brakes are the same level of technology used in F1 cars and LMDh prototypes. In addition, they are designed to work for drivers of different experience levels. Also, the Bugatti Bolide offers a driving mode that can be set to simulate a wet surface, in order to provide a certain level of excitement.

The Bugatti Bolide is powered by an 8.0L quad-turbocharged W16 engine with 1,825 hp (1,361 Kw) and 1,364 lb-ft (1,850 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.17 seconds, 124 mph (200 km/h) in 4.36 seconds and a top speed of 311 mph (500 km/h).

Only 40 examples of this model will be produced, and each will cost $4.8 million.

Source: Bugatti