MG’s upcoming electric hatchback is set to become one of Australia’s most affordable electric vehicles (EVs).
The company has priced only a top-spec, long-range MG 4 Essence model, which rings up at $47,990 before on-road costs and uses the larger 64kWh battery with 435km of range on the stricter WLTP cycle.
Pre-sales open on April 11, with vehicles arriving in showrooms in the second half of this year.
MG hasn’t detailed any other variants for the local range yet. It uses the Essence name for top-spec models, leaving plenty of room underneath.
As befitting the Essence name, the MG 4 comes standard with the following equipment:
- Automatic LED headlights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Two-tone roof
- Twin rear spoilers
- Surround-view camera
- Wireless phone charging
- Automatic climate control
- MG iSmart app connectivity
- Rear parking sensors
There’s also a full suite of active safety and driver assist technology, referred to as MG Pilot, which includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The MG 4 Essence produces 150kW of power and can be charged at up to 135kW on a DC charger.
Overseas model shown
The rear-wheel drive MG 4 is the first vehicle from the brand to be built on a new dedicated platform for electric vehicles, called the Modular Scalable Platform, which offers a claimed 50:50 weight distribution.
The MG 4 can also be had with a 51kWh battery pack in other markets with a WLTP range of up to 350km, while 64kWh battery-equipped models can achieve up to 450km of range depending on specification.
MG Motor Australia has previously confirmed it’s also looking at additional variants, including a dual-motor AWD hot-hatch version making more than 294kW of power, and possibly an extended-range version using a 77kWh battery for around 500km of range.
The MG 4 joins the recently revised ZS EV, with MG planning to further expand its local line-up of EVs.
While it has ruled out the small MG 5 wagon sold in Europe, the company has told us both the next-generation Marvel R crossover and Cyberster roadster are on the cards for Australia and “not too far away”.
A pair of Chinese models are currently Australia’s most affordable EVs.
The GWM Ora Standard Range hatch starts from $43,990 before on-road costs or between $44,490 and $47,891 drive-away, depending on the state.
MG 4
MG’s own ZS EV Excite with the standard-range battery starts at $43,990 before on-roads or between $46,195 and $49,130 drive-away, again depending on the state.
The ZS EV range tops out with the Long Range, priced around $12,000 higher than the standard-range Excite.
In the UK, the MG 4 undercuts the ZS EV by what equates to around A$6000.
MORE: Everything MG 4
