2024 MG EXE181 Concept - Most Iconic Machines

Unveiled as part of MG's 100th anniversary celebrations in 2024, the MG EXE181 Concept is a visionary reinterpretation of one of the brand's most iconic machines - the 1959 MG EX181 land speed record car.

Known as the "Roaring Raindrop," the original car was piloted by racing greats Stirling Moss and Phil Hill to achieve world records on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Today, the EXE181 Concept channels that fearless pursuit of speed and aerodynamic purity into an electrified future.

Designed by the team at SAIC Design Advanced London, led by Advanced Design Director Carl Gotham, the EXE181 Concept honours MG's century-long obsession with innovation while boldly exploring the next frontier of performance design.

Its continuous, sculptural form is shaped for absolute aerodynamic efficiency, balanced by exposed technical precision that celebrates the brand's engineering heritage. The transparent clamshell canopy flows seamlessly into the bodywork, echoing the removable shell of the original record car, while the vertical stabilising fin, deployable parachutes, and active air-brake panels fuse heritage cues with futuristic intent.

Technical artistry defines every detail. Turbine-inspired wheels draw air to cool the in-wheel motors, aided by semi-transparent covers that reduce drag and reinforce the theme of performance through transparency.

With a drag coefficient of just 0.18 and a projected all-electric powertrain exceeding 1,000 hp, the EXE181 is envisioned to reach speeds beyond 300 mph, securing its place among the world's fastest vehicles.

Inside, the EXE181's halo cockpit embodies MG's enduring "Safety Fast" philosophy. The single-seat interior is inspired by Formula 1 construction principles, using lightweight composites and advanced restraint systems to merge protection with precision.

Entry is through a cantilevered one-piece acrylic canopy that reveals a driver-focused environment built for clarity and control. Augmented Reality overlays project critical data and landscape visualisations directly into the driver's field of view, enhancing situational awareness at extreme velocity. The result is a cockpit where every element serves purpose - balancing safety, focus, and performance in perfect harmony.

The EXE181 Concept made its global debut at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show before taking centre stage at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it marked the MG centenary with a bold vision of the brand's future.

It has since earned a prestigious iF Design Award - one of the world's most respected honours for innovation and creativity. Recognised as a manifesto of style, efficiency, and progress, the EXE181 stands not only as a centenary celebration but as a declaration of MG's next era, where heritage, imagination, and electric performance converge to redefine speed.