LONDON: The MG brand, which was saved 15 years ago after a buyout by China's SAIC Motor, has confirmed more details of its upcoming new global electric hatchback, the MG4 Electric.
The striking four-door EV with a large octagonal MG badge prominent on the bonnet will debut in September as the first of four new electrics in the company's "cyber" series. These are based on SAIC's new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP).
The MG, marketed as the Mulan in some markets, squares up against the Volkswagen ID.3 and the Kia Niro EV, with a range of up to 450km between charges. It's designed to appeal to both Chinese and global customers alike.
The EV showcases some new design thinking, with crisper lines and visuals inspired by those first seen on last year's Cyberster roadster concept.
The shark-nosed MG4 Electric is more aggressively styled than previous models from the maker. It's being seen as an attempt to conjure up the heritage of the original British brand, famous for its sports cars and racing success. The MG story goes back to 1924.
The MG4 will be launched with the choice of 167-hp and 201-hp single-motor rear-wheel-drive power train, with a range-topping 443-hp dual-motor range-topper in the pipeline.
MG said the 64kWh battery can be charged at up to 135kW, meaning a charge time of only 35 minutes from between 10 and 80%.
The MG4 EVs come with a seven-year warranty and a raft of hi-tech features, including a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 7-inch driver display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Pricing has not been announced but the MG4 is expected to retail in Europe for less than €30,000 (RM137,000), making it cheaper than a VW ID.3.
"We believe our new MG4 EV will be an enticing proposition for customers seeking an affordable electric car without compromise," said MG's UK commercial director Guy Pigounakis.
