BY: TAREK HAWCHAR
If you hear the word “whale,” what first comes to mind? Powerful, giant, and beautiful creature, right? The same can be said about the all-new MG Whale—the SUV Coupe that has drawn inspiration from the majestic Blue Whale! It has a futuristic design with whale-inspired cues that will surely turn heads, a spacious and ultra-modern interior, and a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine ideal for both comfortable daily commutes and long journeys.
Visually, the all-new MG Whale has a very clean and sleek design with cool details inspired by the largest living mammal on Earth—the Blue Whale
Exterior
Style-wise, the all-new MG Whale has a very clean and sleek design with cool details inspired by the largest living mammal on Earth—the Blue Whale! Up front, there is a large hexagonal grille with vertical bars resembling a blue whale's baleen plates. The grille is topped by a chrome bar that morphs into the LED headlights. There are also whale-inspired daytime running lights that are called "Baleen DRLs."
Moving further back, one can trace other whale-inspired cues, such as the whale-fin door mirrors and a whale-tail spoiler. The black floating roof, black pillars, flush door handles, and 19-inch alloy wheels complete the eye-catching details.
MG's design team certainly put a lot of effort into the fastback rear end of the Whale. Aside from the complex roof spoiler, there is another spoiler on the boot lid, as well as large vertical taillights, a prominent light bar, and chrome dual exhaust pipes, to name but a few.
The spacious, ultra-modern cabin offers plenty of legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers alike
Interior
Stepping inside the new MG Whale's cabin will far exceed your expectations. It is remarkably clean with marine-related colors like white and blue. The spacious, ultra-modern cabin offers plenty of legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers alike.
A twin 12.3-inch curved panoramic screen dominates the dashboard—one for the instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment—and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The whale-inspired theme continues, thanks to the gearshift that takes the shape of a whale’s tale.
If you are an audiophile, opt for the High-Fidelity premium audio system with 9 speakers that are perfectly placed around the Whale’s interior, offering an enhanced audio experience
Other interior highlights include the 6-way power-adjustable seats with memory function, two-tone leather upholstery, a power-operated panoramic sunroof, dual-zone air conditioning with rear vents, and a wireless charger, among other features.
If you are an audiophile, opt for the High-Fidelity premium audio system with 9 speakers that are perfectly placed around the Whale’s interior, offering an enhanced audio experience.
Sitting inside the new MG Whale is a comfortable experience, as there is ample legroom and headroom, even in the back seats. Open up the boot, and you will find 382 liters of cargo space, which can be increased to 1458 liters with the split-folding rear seats down.
On the safety front, the Chinese automaker installed an assortment of high-tech, driver-focused technologies into its new SUV Coupe. Key safety features include six airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), an electronic stability program (ESP), a traction control system (TCS), cornering brake control (CBC), cruise control, hill descent control (HDC), hill start assist control (HAS), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and HD 360-degree surround view camera.
Under the hood, the all-new MG Whale comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pushes out 228 hp and 370 Nm of torque
Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the all-new MG Whale comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pushes out 228 hp and 370 Nm of torque. Power is channeled to the front wheels via an eight-speed transmission. This engine allows the SUV Coupe to get from zero to 100 km/h under seven seconds, before maxing out at 210 km/h.
With a MacPherson strut up front and a multi-link rear suspension, the suspension setup is designed to strike a balance between comfort and sportiness, making it suitable for both city driving and longer trips. Overall, the engine is powerful enough to carry five passengers and their luggage swiftly and efficiently without compromising fuel efficiency.
Our Verdict
The all-new MG Whale is a unique SUV with a daring, yet futuristic design, an ultra-modern interior, state-of-the-art gadgets, and a decent powertrain. With all these amenities, the new SUV Coupe stands out from the crowd. In short, the all-new MG Whale is designed for young buyers, ambitious professionals, and families who live in urban environments but always seek adventure. Now, let’s take a closer look at this midsize crossover coupe.