China’s MG will continue its assault on Australia’s ‘affordable’ electric car market with a new VW Golf-sized electric hatchback, due in showrooms next year.
The 2023 MG 4 electric hatch is due in Australian showrooms early next year, as what could become one of the country’s cheapest new electric vehicles.
Teased earlier this year, the Europe-focused MG 4 is a small car sized similarly to a Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla hatch – and the brand’s first model offered across key export markets with electric power only.
The new Chinese-made MG is expected in local showrooms in early 2023, around six months after a facelifted version of the current ZS EV small electric SUV docks on Australian shores.
Specifications and most other details are still to be confirmed – as the car is yet to be revealed globally – however its 4300mm length slots it between the top-selling 4055mm MG 3 city car, and the upcoming 4675mm MG 5 small sedan.
Pricing is also yet to be confirmed, and despite being a smaller vehicle than the current ZS EV, it’s not guaranteed it will undercut the small SUV’s $46,990 drive-away base price tag.
The new hatchback will rival everything from the electric small car segment stalwart, the $50,900 plus on-road costs Nissan Leaf, to the upcoming Ora Good Cat from Chinese compatriot Great Wall Motors (GWM).
Overseas reports suggest the new MG 4 will ride on a new platform, be capable of Level 3 semi-autonomous driving and offer 5G connectivity – features that add cost, compared to the ZS EV that’s based on a now five-year-old petrol car.
In China, the MG 4 is rumoured to wear the CyberE name, as part of a new Cyber electric sub-brand that’s also set to encompass CyberS and CyberX SUVs, and the production version of the Cyberster roadster concept.
In line with its positioning overseas, the MG 4 will draw significant influences from the Cyberster, including the cars’ shark-nosed front ends – though the hatchback’s five-door body, broad LED tail-light bar and black lower body panelling are far from the roadster’s open-air two-door body.
Spy photos reveal the MG 4’s interior will include a pair of screens for instrumentation and multimedia, plus metallic accents, a toggle-style gear selector, and leather upholstery.
The 2023 MG 4 electric car is due in Australian showrooms early next year. Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest updates.
Image top of story via Cochespias and Weibo.
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