MG, Australia’s second biggest-seller of electric vehicles in 2021 behind Tesla, is getting ready to expand its EV range.
The MG 4, teased earlier this year, has been largely revealed in an image from the floor at SAIC Motor’s Ningde plant, which produces the MG 5, HS and Pilot.
We’ve contacted MG Australia to confirm local launch timing for the MG 4, but the company said it was not yet able to confirm anything.
The company has previously confirmed it would reveal the UK-market version in the fourth quarter of 2022, and Chinese media reports it’ll go on sale this year.
Between the leaked factory floor image published by D1EV, spy photos, official teasers, and patent filing images, there are essentially no surprises left when it comes to the MG 4’s exterior.
According to CarNewsChina, the new electric hatchback has been designed with markets like Europe and the UK front of mind, and MG has reportedly conducted extensive global market research and benchmarked the Volkswagen ID.3.
MG has confirmed the new model will measure 4300mm long, which makes it 38mm longer than a ID.3 and around 65mm longer than an Ora Good Cat.
The MG 4 name slots it in between the brand’s light car, the ageing MG 3, and its small cars under the MG 5 nameplate – one a rebadged Roewe ei5 electric wagon for Europe, the other a sleeker sedan for the Asia-Pacific region due in Australia late this year.
It’s reportedly part of a new line of electric vehicles for MG, which will also include the production version of the Cyberster concept, reportedly set for a 2024 launch, plus a pair of new SUVs called CyberS and CyberX.
It reportedly rides a new EV platform designed to support Level 3 autonomous driving technology.
It’s unclear what electric powertrain the MG 4 will use.
MG’s sole electric model in Australia is the ZS EV, sold out ahead of the launch of an updated model in July.
As images reveal, the MG 4 – also expected to be called CyberE in China – has a relatively conventional hatchback silhouette but with some racier design elements.
There’s a rather menacing prow, with a sharply creased bonnet, angular headlights, and a front bumper treatment inspired by the Cyberster concept.
The MG 4 should help the brand’s expansion across Europe, where it reportedly wants to export 120,000 vehicles this year.
In addition to the MG 4 and aforementioned MG 5, MG also sells a restyled version of the Roewe Marvel X electric crossover in Europe as the MG Marvel R.
The brand sold 360,000 vehicles across its global markets in 2021, while MG and sister brand Roewe sold a combined 800,000 vehicles in China alone.
Parent SAIC Motor exports MG products not only to Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but also India, southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The company says it was a top 10 brand in 17 countries, including here.
In 2021, the MG ZS EV was Australia’s second best-selling EV behind the Tesla Model 3, helped by sharp pricing.
MG is encouraging local EV uptake by incentivising purchases of its MG ChargeHub.
In response to the New South Wales grants for electric vehicle charger installation, aimed at boosting regional tourism, MG announced earlier this month it would cover the difference in cost for successful grant applicants.
The grants process is giving regional councils 75 per cent of the funds for up to four AC destination chargers and their installation. The chargers are intended to be installed at places like motels, wineries, eateries and natural attractions.
The NSW Government grant will also cover 50 per cent of a two-year charger software subscription.
MG’s 7kW ChargeHub costs $1990 excluding installation, while its 11kW unit is $2090. These can also be purchased directly from MG dealerships.
The incentive scheme is in addition to MG’s Hotel Subsidy Scheme announced last year.
The Chinese automaker announced it was offering up to 3000 discounted EV AC chargers for regional three-star hotels and resorts across the country.
“The reason for this strategy is to offer access for people who drive EVs, access to regional or rural areas that they feel that they couldn’t get to in an electric vehicle – and now they can,” said MG Australia product director Danny Lenartic.
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