Autonomy Challenge – MG Marvel R Performance

In this new CircutorElectroChallenge autonomy challenge, we are driving a new Electromobility Wonder, or at least that is how the manufacturer has baptized it, we will take an MG Marvel R Performance to the limit of its autonomy, using, as always, our best driving skills. #Efficient and calm driving.

The Marvel is like a kind of punch on the table by the Chinese group SAIC, owner of the British brand MG. Here we are and we have come to stay. We have come to show that we can make electric cars with premium equipment and at a reasonable price. Will they get it?

The first surprise when we are in the position of the driver of the Marvel, is without a doubt, the discovery of the giant screen that separates us from the passenger seat, Tesla style? Although, it must be recognized that on the go, its usefulness and visibility are far from optimal.

But, once the first aesthetic impact and the personalized cordial reception of the voice assistant have been assimilated, what is most surprising is the one under the seat, connected to the two axes of the car and which gives the all-wheel drive character of this Performance version. . 212 kW and 665 Nm that propel this motorhome from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds. Woww! That's some major speed.

The consumptions obtained significantly improve those we obtained in the tests of his little brother, the ZS, perhaps the aerodynamic improvement? Maybe milder temperatures? We will see if they are confirmed in the middle of the Obé route, if the four-wheel drive goes toll.

With spring knocking on our door and still in the middle of the calçots season, it is clear that we have to take this for a walk through the southern lands and Central Catalonia.

We leave Terrassa, at 8:30 in the morning, under the rain that has fallen throughout the night, heading south, you know, C-58 to the Forum and the mythical coasts of El Garraf to Sitges to make the first control in the port of Aiguadolça.

We have covered 73 km with an exceptional consumption of only 13 kWh/100 km. With 87% battery and this consumption, the car promises us to have energy for 384 km more.

We continue towards the line of good weather, to El Vendrell where we leave the coast to enter the land of calçots, castles and dragons, crossing the high Camp to Montblanc, capital of La Conca de Barberà. There are already 142 km from the start and varied profiles, including the climb to the Lilla pass of more than 500 m. The MG Marvel R Performance continues to demonstrate quality and efficiency with a consumption of 14.9 kWh/100 km and a range of 317 km with still 71% battery.

We decided to continue going inland. Solivella, Tàrrega and Agramunt, allow us to enjoy the view of the mountain ranges crowned by windmills, and fields of fruit trees, still in bloom, that breathe lightened by the arrival of the expected water from heaven.

Once in Agramunt, and after more than 3 hours and a half on the road, consumption has climbed to 15.5 kWh/100 km in the 191 km traveled, but still with a 60% battery that perhaps will allow us to take, still Some risky decision. Where shall we turn? What other regions will we visit?

From Agramunt, on the banks of the Sió, with enough battery to be overwhelmed, we put a rhombus in Artesa de Segre, in the region of La Noguera, where we cannot avoid making the obligatory stop at Carles Solé's oven and buying his cocas de cocao , famous throughout the region. It will be a good gift when you get home.

We have already had 221 km of adventure and we are close to having consumed half of the battery, with a very good consumption of 15.2 kWh/100 km and, with a smell that feeds inside the car, we continue our route through Central Catalonia.

Ponts, Sanaüja, Biosca and... turn north until you reach Solsona where the C-75 twists and climbs through places that seem to be there, just for us.

We come from the South and we go to the North, we come from the Sea and we find ourselves in the Mountain, we come from the sun and we laugh at the storm and the humidity.

In the capital of El Solsonès, we make a change of chip, and it is that you cannot do the C-26 road, on a rainy day, without testing the possibilities offered by the all-wheel drive of the MG Marvel R Performance, perhaps we have come a little up, maybe too much and everything.

An obligatory stop at the hermitage of Santa Margarida de Riudarenes, we are next to the solar park that, for 14 years, has been feeding our house and our co-pilot Pep Ruiz thanks to the work that Jordi Serrano did when he was at Ecotecnia, a hug!

Our courage has a price, we have increased consumption to 16 kWh/100 km and after having covered 288 km we only retain a third of the battery, therefore, it will be necessary to cut thinly to avoid having any scares.

We are in Berga, door of the Pyrenees. Our consumption has risen a little more, up to 16.2 kWh/100 km and we have a battery room, with a range of 113 km, therefore, we headed back along the axis of the Llobregat taking advantage of the force of gravity .

Between storms and clearings, crossing the overflowing river, we finally arrived home, after riding for almost 7 hours, achieving incredible autonomy, we have covered 396 km and we still have 8% battery with the capacity to cover 34 km, exceeding expectations. Therefore, we will let the car rest and on Monday we will take it to the Circontrol laboratory to define the load curve and compatibility.

The night has been cold and the temperature of the battery tomorrow has generated a not inconsiderable upheaval in the vehicle.

Autonomy Challenge Results - MG Marvel R Performance

Not only have we managed to improve the homologation of the vehicle in consumption and autonomy, but we have also confirmed that, apart from the temperature differences, the Marvel drives much smoother than the ZS, which shows a very interesting evolution of the brand.

Conclusion:

The MG Marvel R Performance is, without a doubt, a car that honors its name but a very interesting option for all those who want to have a large SUV, they are almost 4.7 m long, and Premium finishes for 50,000 Euros before bonuses and if all-wheel drive is not needed, the rear-wheel drive version, the Luxury version remains at 45,000 and offers 10% more autonomy.

Special Thanks:

Clarifications:

The Solidarity Tour is a 20 km route starting and finishing at the Circutor headquarters in Viladecavalls, which runs along very twisty secondary roads with slopes of up to 250 m.

The EcoBest tour is a 60 km mixed route that includes approximately 50% motorway, 25% city and the rest on interurban roads, very similar to the distribution of the WLTP cycle.

All our challenges are based on achieving maximum autonomy, in real traffic conditions, using efficient driving techniques and moderate speeds, always above the minimum marked on each road.