MG Hybrid+ Breaks Records: New Hybrid Technology Achieves a Real-World 3.1 l/100 km
British-rooted MG Motor has once again shown that hybrid technology can be both efficient and genuinely usable. During the first MG Hybrid+ Eco Challenge, journalists recorded real-world fuel economy figures that didn’t just meet the official WLTP numbers, they smashed them, and by a wide margin.
The test took place around Alcobendas, Madrid, covering a 58-kilometre loop of motorway, city streets and mountain roads. The results were startling:
MG3 Hybrid+ averaged 2.8 l/100 km, 36% better than its official 4.4 l/100 km WLTP figure.
MG ZS Hybrid+ returned 3.1 l/100 km, saving 38% compared with its 5.0 l/100 km rating.
MG HS Hybrid+ managed 3.2 l/100 km, an impressive 55% lower than its certified 5.53 l/100 km.
The overall winners, journalists Luis Alberto Izquierdo and Andrea Aguado, achieved a combined average of 3.1 l/100 km across all three models.
Hybrid+ Means “More” in Every Sense
MG insists its Hybrid+ system isn’t just another hybrid but a genuine step forward. The petrol engine operates with up to 44.5% thermal efficiency, among the highest in the automotive industry. Each setup features two electric motors — one driving the wheels, the other acting as a generator — and a 1.8 kWh battery, the largest in its class.
Thanks to intelligent energy management, the cars can travel around 10 kilometres on electric power alone, reaching speeds of over 90 km/h without the combustion engine.
Smarter Transmissions, Stronger Performance
Unlike many CVT-based hybrids, MG uses automatic gearboxes with fixed ratios: two speeds in the HS and three speeds in the MG3 and ZS. The result is more direct power delivery, faster throttle response and a quieter drive.
The MG3 and ZS Hybrid+ produce 143 kW (196 hp), while the larger HS Hybrid+ delivers 165 kW (225 hp) — making all three among the most powerful hybrids in their respective classes.
Real Results, Not Lab Figures
The Hybrid+ range demonstrates just how far hybrid technology has evolved. Early systems focused mainly on modest fuel savings; MG’s new setup pushes efficiency into new territory, with numbers verified in real conditions rather than controlled environments. It’s a clear signal that MG is positioning itself as a brand capable of blending energy efficiency, driving enjoyment and everyday usability.
Still, a dose of realism doesn’t hurt. Motoring folklore recalls a eco-run where one team followed a lorry on a German autobahn so closely that daylight barely showed between bonnet and trailer and yes, they achieved record numbers too. Even so, MG’s figures prove that hybrid efficiency no longer needs creative drafting to impress.
