MG4 EV hatchback could be launched in Australia in early 2023

MG was the runner-up in new EV sales last year with Australia’s most affordable electric car, the MG ZS EV. Over the coming months, we will be seeing the local deliveries of the new version of the MG ZS EV.

Now it emerges that another smaller, sleeker, hatchback model called MG4 EV might also be on the cards for the Australian market in the next 12 months.

The MG4 EV is the first of a series of new EVs which will be based on the new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) architecture. When asked about the plans for a local launch, a spokesperson for MG Australia said: “We are currently reviewing the MG4 for the Australian market and exploring different variants.”

It’s a subtle but important change of tune from just months ago when the MG’s spokesperson said there was “nothing we can share from an Australian perspective.”

The statement comes as news emerges that MG has shipped 1,000 MG4s to Europe, as reported by Car News China. This report also states that: “With its European debut pegged at the fourth quarter of 2022, the MG4 EV will also hit dealerships across New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, South America, and the Middle East. It will then go on to other regions and countries in the early parts of 2023.”

It is also off the back of a possible MG4 sighting on Australia’s local roads. While MG Australia would not confirm it is testing any here just yet, the side profile and side guard rails appears quite similar – you decide for yourself.

This is a positive sign for those looking for a smaller ground-up EV. In Europe, the MG4 will be offered with a 51 kWh and a 64 kWh battery pack. Both will offer 350 and 450 kms of WLTP range respectively.

The acceleration of the MG4 EV is expected to be around 8 seconds.

Potential first half of 2023 local launch

When asked if the MG4 is to be launched in the Australian market, when can we expect to see it, MG’s spokeserson said, “We expect to see this model locally in H1 2023.”

This would make the ground-up EV from MG4 EV potential launch around the same time we expect the BYD Dolphin hatchback to be in Australia.

The MG4 is 4.29 m long making it slightly longer than the BYD Dolphin which is around 4.07 m in length.

The MG4 also has gone through 120,000 km of endurance testing in Europe recently and is expected to be launched in UK’s right-hand drive market by September.

Pricing in the UK is yet to be released in the UK but is expected to be similar to the new MG ZS EV. Another affordable hatchback option that qualifies for many state and territory subsidies sounds promising in promoting EV uptake in Australia over the next 12 months.