MG confirms electric hatchback for New Zealand

MG Motor New Zealand has announced that the fully electric MG 4 hatch is set to join the brand’s line-up from mid-2023.

The update was confirmed at today’s launch of the updated ZS EV, held in Auckland.

Speaking at the event, MG Motor chief executive for Australia and New Zealand, Peter Ciao, outlined how strong demand for the model in Europe is likely to mean a struggle for supply.

He added, however, that the brand is trying as hard as possible to get the MG 4 into local showrooms in meaningful numbers.

The MG 4 is yet another potential candidate for New Zealand’s cheapest electric vehicle crown; a crown currently held by its ZS EV cousin. Pricing inevitably hasn’t been confirmed, but is expected to be around the $50,000 mark.

As previously reported, the MG 4 is the smallest plug-in the Chinese-owned brand has on its roster. Measuring in at 4287mm long, it’s just 27mm shorter than the ZS, more than 200mm longer than the MG3, and 40mm longer than the Volkswagen ID.3 many have begun comparing it to.

MG has confirmed two battery options for the model overseas; a 51kWh unit and a 64kWh unit. The former carries over from the ZS, while the latter sits below the ZS’s flagship 71kWh unit offered overseas.

Range for the two battery options sits at a claimed 350km for the 51kWh battery and 450km for the 64kWh battery, respectively, according to the WLTP cycle.

Unsurprisingly the MG4’s more streamlined shape and smaller dimensions mean its 51kWh model has a better range figure than the equivalent 51kWh ZS EV, which is said to be capable of 320km per charge.

Both variants of MG4 are rear-wheel drive, with 51kWh models coming equipped with a 125kW electric motor and 64kWh models getting a 150kWh motor. MG says the model can hit 100km/h in as little as 8 seconds, on its way to a 160km/h top speed.