practicality & panache

“Indeed,” I agreed. “But don’t you think it’s a mistake to dwell on the past? This MG 5 Estate, in my view, represents a positively charged way of thinking. It’s an MG for the here and now with tomorrow in its sights. And by the way, despite this electric estate’s focus on versatility and functionality, it nonetheless would outperform a TC in every respect. It’ll do about 115 mph thanks to its 61 kWh/154bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels. But that apart, for the challenge of squeezing into a shoebox, your TC wins hands down.”

A couple of hours later as I coasted along city streets in calm serenity, comfortable in the supportive seats, untroubled by ULEZ regulations, unbothered by anxieties over range having comforting residuals of battery beef at my command (claimed range now 235 miles). I wondered how anyone ever could disagree with the contention that motoring in recent years has undergone a beneficial revolution.

On the open road as the wheels kept turning, I paid conscious attention to all the attributes that together combined into an experience of ultimate assurances.

The new MG pilot driver assistance systems, offering safety braking along with a host of other benefits associated with both comfort and safety, contributed to an overall impression of modernity and grace. Or MG for short.

What a quality car this is I thought to myself as I admired the attention to detail within the cabin and how solid and settled it felt despite the jarring resulting from pothole encounters. It felt particularly robust as I was encouraged to ‘press on’ and enjoy the nimble handling and secure roadholding on a road that got twistier and bumpier.

While stopping for a coffee break, I encountered a fellow motorist who passed derogatory comments about the trend towards electric vehicles. I pointed out that in my view electric cars represented the future. He responded with a truly shocking joke.

“It’s a good job,” he said. “Because there’s no future in the electric chair.”

by Syd Taylor