This is MG’s take on the affordable, all-electric family car, the new MG4. Pricing and specification has now been revealed and MG says its new EV will be available from September this year.
We first saw the zero-emissions MG4 as the Mulan-badged EV in Chinese specification and we now know it’ll sit on the brand’s new MSP (Modular Scalable Platform) architecture. Underlining the MG4’s status as a key player in MG’s continued all-electric assault on the UK market, the new platform will form the backbone of the next generation of electric MG models.
Prices, specs and trim levels
Three specifications of the MG4 will be available from launch; SE Standard Range, SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range. The entry-level SE Standard Range starts from £25,995, undercutting the similarly-sized Volkswagen ID.3 by over £10,000. For that, you get a 167bhp, 51kWh battery capable of a WLTP-rated 218 miles of range. As standard it also gets the MG Pilot advanced driver assistance system, automatic LED headlights and rear lights, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control and MG’s iSmart app connectivity.
Unsurprisingly, the Long Range SE has the longest range out of the MG4 lineup with 281 miles. This comes from the larger 64kWh battery which also has a 135kW charging capacity, meaning a charging time of 35 minutes to fill from 10 per cent to 80 per cent using a 150kW rapid charger.
Long Range SE models receive MG’s grille shutter system which regulates air flow according to vehicle requirements. MG says this improves aerodynamic efficiency by up to 30% and can increase EV range by as much as 10%. Long Range SE models start from £28,495.
The range-topping MG4 is the EV Trophy, which is priced from £31,495. MG claims a 270-mile range for the EV Trophy – fitted with the larger 64kWh battery. It also gets an upgraded version of the MG Pilot System and safety features such as blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert. Additionally, a two-tone roof, rear privacy glass, twin aero rear spoiler, leather interior with electric driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, sat-nav, 360 camera and wireless phone charging are all standard. Full performance figures have yet to be revealed, but the 201bhp, 64kWh model will be able to do 0-62mph in under eight seconds. Top speed is limited to 99mph.
Platform and powertrains
MG has confirmed that the MSP platform can host all-wheel-drive electric powertrains and a further development of the MG 4 with a dual-motor system is in the pipeline. MG also says its MSP will allow for battery swap systems and ‘Service-Oriented Architecture’ will enable vehicles to receive over-the-air updates throughout their lifecycle.
Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director at MG Motor UK, said: “We believe our new MG4 EV will be an enticing proposition for customers seeking an affordable electric car without compromise. The potential of the innovative Modular Scalable Platform is considerable and is set to deliver some exciting new MGs over the coming years.”
David Allison, Head of Product & Planning at MG Motor UK, has previously said: “The MG4 EV is a key part of the next phase of growth for MG. Our new MSP architecture will enable us to offer multiple options for the rapidly expanding UK electric car market, with all choices reinforcing our reputation for outstanding design, market-leading technology, and excellent value for money.”
Design
In terms of exterior design, it looks quite unlike any other member of the current MG line-up, using a new design language. A relatively pointy front end is marked out by slim and sharp looking LED headlights, while at the rear a full-width LED taillight bar sits beneath the screen. Some SUV-inspiration is found in the tougher looking cladding running at the bottom of the doors, and the top of the hatch lid is crowned by a split-design rear spoiler.
Inside, the use of the new MSP platform appears to unlock more interior space through its removal of the transmission tunnel. A floating style centre console is home to a rotary drive mode selector and an electronic parking brake, while a large central touchscreen takes pride of place on top of the dashboard. A compact digital instrument panel sits behind a new-look, two-spoke multifunction steering wheel.
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