MG Go! previews sporty supermini as Chinese brand aims to beat Mini, Fiat and Cupra at their own game

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MG has taken the covers off two concept cars at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, aimed squarely at shedding its discount image and reviving MG’s past desirability.

The MG Go! previews a Yaris-sized electric supermini — expected to be called the MG2 — to complement MG’s longstanding petrol and hybrid 3. Production is set to start next year.

At roughly four metres in length the Go will enter the electric supermini segment that is flourishing overseas, though not so much in Australia, where rivals include the Mini Cooper SE ($61,490 before on-roads) and Fiat 500e ($52,500 before on-roads). 

MG chief designer Jozef Kaban declared to Britain’s Autocar the Go! is about “emotion“, implying MG hopes to compete head-on with Mini and Fiat rather than undercut them as it has in the past. 

MG specifically denies the stubby styling is a retro revival, though those of a certain age report shades of Austin Metro. 

Zany as the rear diffuser, bulging rear arches and front and side vents appear, Mr Kaban emphasised the Go’s height and ground clearance reflect the production car. We would love to see the boy-racer accoutrements make production, at least on a hot hatch model.

It’s too soon for powertrain, range and battery details. For reference, the existing MG4 can travel up to 452km on a charge through a rear-mounted 140kW motor.

Given rivals are typically front-wheel drive, the MG2 may also use a version of the MG4 Urban’s platform, which would have the added benefit of lower costs. 

Less close to production is the MG Cyber concept SUV. At five metres long, it’s projected to sit alongside MG’s striking Cyberster roadster as the brand’s co-flagship. 

Kaban states that it’s a preview of future MG design above all, so while the Go! will enter showrooms mostly unchanged, the Cyber may evolve significantly between now and then as MG tries to shed its cheap-as-chips image.