MG Motor Europe teases new electric ‘MG4’ hatchback, due in Q4 2022

Toyota Corolla-sized electric car would be a cut-price EV alternative to Volkswagen’s ID3. and would fit MG Australia’s plan to have half its model range electrified by 2024.

MG Motor Europe has released a teaser video of a new full electric vehicle due to be revealed in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Widely expected to be known as the MG4, the Chinese-owned brand said the new EV would be 4.3-metres in length and “developed with the European consumer in mind.”

MG 4 door — MG Motor has released a teaser video of the ‘MG4’ electric hatchback

Even so, a Toyota Corolla-sized electric hatchback could offer a cheaper EV option for Australians should the ‘MG4’ arrive on our market.

A spokesman for MG Australia told Chasing Cars: “It’s definitely too early to say anything regarding the release overnight, but we’re very excited to see what our European colleagues have released.”

He added: “We’re looking at having half our model range in Australia electrified by 2024 and look forward to continuing along the path of electric for everyone.”

MG 4 rear — Striking LED taillights can be seen at the rear of the vehicle

This suggests keeping electric vehicles affordable is front and centre for MG in Australia, so this new ‘MG4’ would be a good fit for our market, and likely undercut the $44,990 drive-away price of MG’s ZS EV.

The full electric ZS EV small SUV was the second-best selling full electric car in Australia last year; its 1388 sales second only to runaway best-selling Tesla Model 3. It is also the cheapest EV available on our market, although order books have opened for the BYD Atto 3 priced at the same $44,990.

The MG Motor Europe YouTube clip is a digitized video of a satin sheet billowing off the bright orange hatchback. Its 4.3-metre length makes it near-identical in size to the ZS SUV, but with edgier styling including a high bonnet, sharp lines, funky 17-inch alloys and LED strip rear lighting.

On the right-hand-drive UK market the ‘MG4’ would be a good cut-price alternative to Volkswagen’s Golf-sized ID.3 electric car. It’s on sale there from £35,835 ($67,000), while MG’s updated ZS EV and MG5 EV wagon (not available in Australia) are both under £28,000 ($52,000). This ‘MG4’ would likely undercut both those prices.

MG 4 wheel — MG Australia said it was too early to lock the MG4 in but said they were very excited about the car

No other specification has been released for the teased new electric MG, but it could potentially share the same hardware as the facelifted ZS EV, due in Australia in the second half of 2022.

It arrives with a 51kWh battery and range of 320km (up from the current model’s 44.5kWh and 263km range), while in Europe a 72kWh battery offers range of 440km. The motor brings 115kW and 279Nm for a 0-100km/h time around 8.5 seconds.

With MG Australia’s desire for half its range being electrified (which would include plug-in hybrids such as the current HS medium SUV PHEV), it seems certain this ‘MG4’ would be included in its near future plans.