MG debuts first electric hatchback, NZ release unconfirmed

Following a lengthy teaser campaign, MG has revealed its first stab at a fully electric hatchback, in the form of the MG4.

The MG4 joins the ZS and HS PHEV in MG’s growing plug-in line-up, consolidating the brand’s reputation for affordable electric vehicles.

While the MG4 is the brand’s smallest plug-in to date, it achieves this by a surprisingly slim margin. 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.

The hatchback’s pointed styling adopts some of the styling cues seen on the updated ZS EV, including the lack of a grille between its headlights (it does get one down low), and similar character lines coming off the headlights and taillights.

MG has confirmed two battery options for the model; 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. An all-wheel drive model is reportedly in the works, too.

MG believes one of the 4’s biggest strengths will be its interior space. All electric vehicles inherently get a packaging advantage since there’s less focus on building an interior around driveline constraints, but the MG4 has the added bonus of a battery pack that’s just 110mm tall.

The MG4’s platform design means the sky’s the limit for MG. It says that the platform can “easily” accommodate batteries up to 150kWh in size, if these are to come in the future. It also boasts that the model features 50:50 weight distribution.

Quizzed this week by EVs & Beyond, MG Motor New Zealand was reluctant to say whether the model is heading our way. “MG New Zealand will confirm details relating to any new models when more information is available,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Australia’s MG arm has been slightly more forgiving, telling media that the brand is currently evaluating the model for its market.

With European media speculating that the MG4 will be priced cheaper than its MG ZS EV sibling, the model could finally topple the ZS as New Zealand’s cheapest fully electric vehicle if happens to hit local showrooms.