Can You Imagine the MG ZS Going Rallying?

For those who think the 305-horsepower MG 6 is still too tame, well, how about this 450-horsepower MG ZS then?

Designed by MG XPower—MG’s very own racing subsidiary that was founded pre-SAIC days, the MG ZS XPower competes in the XRacing China rallycross series against the likes of Audi and Nissan.

An entrant in the “Super SUV” class, the MG ZS XPower uses a series regulated engine pumping out 450 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque. And though it looks like the refreshed MG ZS, the chassis too is series regulated, and thus uses independent suspension all-around. Fitted with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed sequential gearbox, it goes from 0-100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.

The “XPower” brand was created by the MG Rover Group in April 2001. The motorsports division was included in the sale to Nanjing Auto in 2006, eventually ending up with current owners SAIC in 2007. Currently, the MG XPower brand integrates all of the brand’s sport and racing activities.

The letter “X” is historically significant. The EX project number used by MG denotes “test” vehicle subjects. These include the EX257 (MG Lola Le Mans racer), EX258 (MG ZR rally car), EX259 (MG ZS BTCC race car), and more recently, the MG 6 XPower TCR and MG ZS XPower XRacing.