Author: Feng Jingang

Author Bio:

Feng Jingang, former engineer of new energy vehicle powertrain

When it comes to electric vehicle design, after experiencing the transformation from gasoline to electric power, more and more car companies are adopting pure electric architecture. Recently, SAIC’s MG brand revealed some design ideas for their new model MULAN, which is based on SAIC’s NEV-exclusive platform, called Star Cloud.

A few days ago, I have explained MG MULAN’s power battery technology in detail in my article “Decoding SAIC’s Cube Battery”. For those who are interested, you can take a look. This time, we will take a look at its design, and see how it performs in comparison with the impressive Cube Battery.

Global Car

There is a little-known fact: MG brand should be one of the largest new energy vehicle brands in China in terms of export. Also, because of this background, the development of MG’s new cars needs to consider both the Chinese market and the global market.

For example, MULAN, which is based on the principle of adapting to the global market, was developed according to global research and development standards. It mainly reflects in the following four aspects:

1. The design team. MULAN was designed by two internationally-minded teams from SAIC Design, one from China and the other from the UK.

2. Environmental standards. MULAN uses REACH environmental materials and has passed the most stringent EU ECE and E-MARK certifications to further guarantee the health and safety of passengers and the environment.

3. Collision safety standards. From the outset, MULAN has focused on satisfying the European and Chinese five-star safety standards as a basic requirement.

4. Active and passive safety technologies. Taking into account the common safety issues that occur during real driving, MULAN features industry-leading triple anti-collision beam design, CPM capacitor application, and the Cube Battery.

Therefore, MG has positioned MULAN as a “global pure electric super-capable crossover.”

I have always thought that globally-oriented cars are more worthwhile recommending than cars tailored solely for a specific market, as they need to meet more regulations, undergo more stringent product development, and have relatively higher quality guarantees.

Pure Electric Architecture

In addition to the feature of being a globally-oriented car, MULAN’s other key feature is its adoption of a pure electric architecture.

Within the SAIC passenger vehicle new energy product portfolio, the biggest feature of MG MULAN compared to previous models is its pioneering use of a pure electric architecture, which shows its importance.

However, this also means that pure electric architecture is still a relatively new field for MG. To tell the story of pure electric architecture well, MG has done some in-depth thinking and this is reflected in the following three points:

To help express the MG brand spirit.In the brand division of SAIC Roewe and MG, MG is positioned as more sporty and youthful. This also applies to the era of electric vehicles, where the design goal of the Mulan is to showcase the brand essence of MG.

Following the Mulan, MG will launch a pure electric sports car, further embodying the expression of the MG brand in the electric vehicle market.

MG has proposed the concept of XFV (Experience Fusion Vehicle), a cross-border vehicle that emphasizes the optimal experience efficiency and truly gives users the space that the electric architecture should offer. It stands out by integrating performance, space, driving control, and off-road capability with a completely different body form definition than in the past.

Specifically for the design language of the Mulan, it hopes to convey two important messages:

Firstly, it represents MG’s innovative attempt in the era of electric vehicles, which includes four points:

• first, a fully balanced vehicle height
• second, the A-pillar moved forward
• third, a two-and-a-half-door trunk
• fourth, a unique wheelbase-to-vehicle length ratio of 0.63

Secondly, how can an electric vehicle convey a more positive stance?

MG’s answer is to achieve a new dynamic attitude with a four-wheel four-corner configuration based on the new electric drive platform, balancing practicality and sportiness. Specifically, with the shortened front and rear suspensions, not only is the space better, but the vehicle takes on a strong stance with four corners on the ground, conveying dynamism through a shift in the position of the four wheels rather than the overall center of mass, even the ONEBOX can be very sporty.

Based on the MG brand’s proposition, MG has created a dynamic functional aesthetic design language, hoping to make a breakthrough under the homogenized background, not just for the sake of electrification.

The dynamic functional aesthetic design language embodies three points:

• first, dynamism
• second, trendiness
• third, quality

Design Analysis of the Mulan’s ExteriorOn the analysis of pure electric architecture, MG’s understanding is consistent with that of most brands, including four-wheel drive, long wheelbase, and more design features. However, MG has not been limited to these, but further extended according to the MG brand core, and especially strengthened many sporty design elements.

This is reflected in the exterior design of the Mulan. Let’s take a look at the design elements of the Mulan:

• Electric induction focused front face: sharp and unique headlamp group, combined with powerful and distinct design elements pointing to MG logo, representing a new interpretation of pure electric vitality.

• Carbon fiber sport front lip: more powerful, agile, and combat-like.

• Dynamic technology matrix headlights: stereoscopic, clear, and unique; three groups of reflective units are staggered front and rear, fully showing the technological texture.

• Intersecting star arc double waistlines: inheriting the MG sports genes, rich in agile temperament, and with sharp side lines and skirt shapes to form a dynamic shape.

• Multi-dimensional functional rear of the vehicle: the rear fascia is full of layered feeling; the taillights are voluminous and connect with the shoulder line of the rear wheels, blending with the whole car while acting as the rear’s air diffuser; the bottom’s diffuser-like characteristics thin the car’s tail thickness, making the entire vehicle look solid and light.

• The Swan Constellation Cross-Lamp: using a new welding process to achieve a stunning visual effect, the taillights are inspired by the Swan Constellation Cross, pure and mystical, with the same shining light in each position throughout the year.

• Hollow double-wing tail: hollow double-wing aerodynamic suspension tail, elegantly outlining the roof curve from the A-pillar and ending with the high brake light.

In terms of body color, Mulan has many colors, including Jungle Green, Bright White, Light Speed Silver, Crimson Red, Andes Gray, Brighton Blue, etc., with an overall youthful and sporty color sense.

According to MG, Mulan combines youthful and sporty genes with pure electric elements, breaking the homogeneity of electric car designs and bringing its unique coolness.

As the first pure electric architecture model of SAIC Passenger Vehicle, Mulan, like its name, has a cool design with a 3.8 second 0-60mph acceleration time (the only one under 200k RMB), 50:50 front and rear axle load ratio, and a 490mm super low center of gravity height, indicating that it is not afraid of competing with higher-level models.

So, regarding design alone, MG Mulan is undoubtedly successful. The designer not only responds to the MG brand’s presentation in the electric wave but also highlights the product’s characteristics after landing. As for the final product, it still depends on the final price when it goes on sale, and we are eagerly waiting.

Finally, let’s take a look at a design sketch of MG Mulan.markdown
![](https://upload.42how.com/article/image_20220704201926.png)


This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.