New MG 4 electric hatchback revealed; will rival VW ID.3

MG Motor has taken the wraps off its entry-level EV hatchback, the MG 4, which will go on sale in Europe initially. This new hatchback is aimed squarely at Volkswagen's ID.3 – the German’s brand’s entry-point into mass market EV hatchbacks overseas – and also rival the Kia Niro EV in some markets. MG claims that the MG 4 will come with around 450km of range and a spacious interior and a long feature list.

• MG 4 to get around 450km range
• Will rival the VW ID.3, Kia Niro EV
• India to get Wuling Air-based small EV next year

The MG 4 will be sold as MG Mulan in China and will join the long line-up of MG branded electric vehicles there. The hatchback is based on parent company SAIC's new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), which, officials say, will play a pivotal role in the brand's future plans.

The modular platform, which MG says supports wheelbases ranging from 2,650mm to 3,100mm and batteries ranging from 40kWh to 150kWh, has been conceived around a newly developed One Pack battery construction process. It uses horizontally stacked cells to provide a floor height of just 110mm, with the battery forming an integral part of the platform structure.

MG 4 EV: design

The styling of the MG 4 EV represents a departure from other recent MGs, with crisper lines, sheer surfaces and detailing inspired by the Cyberster roadster concept that was unveiled in 2021. Key elements include a low front end featuring a large MG badge, angular headlights with distinctive “eyebrow” graphics and a heavily structured front bumper with additional lights integrated within the outer edges. A pair of prominent swage lines are incorporated within the sides, while the lower section of the doors form part of an extended sill.

At the rear, the five-door hatchback receives a large two-part roof-extension-cum-spoiler above an angled tailgate, together with a complex full-width tail-light assembly featuring LED graphics. Available as an option is a full-length glass roof.

At 4,287mm long (with a 2,705mm wheelbase), 1,836mm wide and 1,506mm tall, the 4 is 25mm longer, 27mm wider and a good 46mm lower than the Volkswagen ID.3.

MG 4 EV: powertrains

MG has confirmed that the 4 will be sold in Europe with a choice of 167hp and 201hp single-motor rear-wheel-drive powertrains from launch, while a 443hp, dual-motor four-wheel-drive range-topper is set to follow. The performance version is claimed to provide a 0-100kph time of 3.8sec, with top speed limited to 160kph. The 167hp version gets a 51kWh battery, with a claimed range of 350km, while the 201hp and 443hp variant get a 64kWh battery, giving a range of upto 450km.

MG is yet to confirm the chemistry of the batteries, but other models from the Chinese brand offer either lithium ion phosphate (LFP) or lithium nickel manganese cobalt (LNMC) cells. MG has confirmed the One Pack battery will initially use a 400V architecture, but says it can be upgraded to 800V for faster charging in the future.

MG’s EV plans for India

For the Indian market, MG currently sells the ZS EV SUV and is readying a market launch of an all-new EV small car that is expected to go on sale sometime next year. Read more on that here.

Also see: 

MG says 25 percent of its sales will be EVs from next year

MG has sold 1,00,000 SUVs in India