All electric MG4 hatchback arrives in Australia to gain approval for sale

The next all-electric model from MG – the MG4 hatchback – has arrived in Australia as the SAIC-owned brand works towards its introduction in the first half of 2023.

The upcoming electric hatch was listed on the Rover site on Tuesday, showing full compliance in accord with the Australian Design Rules.

While the listing does not yet describe which variants will be approved for sale in Australia, a spokesperson for MG confirmed with The Driven that MG Australia is “working through the Australian Design Rules process for the MG4 and look forward to hopefully showcasing this model in due course.”

In the UK, the Golf-sized MG4 has received good reviews after going on sale for £25,995 (around $A44,000 converted.)

While local pricing is yet to be announced, it is more than likely it will give the MG ZS EV compact electric SUV – currently available from $46,990 driveway – a run for its money.

The arrival of the MG4 plays out the speculation about which electric car the China-based brand would bring to Australia as a follow up to the ZS EV. Also for sale in global markets are the flagship Marvel R SUV (on sale in Europe from €40,000 – about $A59,000), and the MG5 wagon (on sale in the UK from £30,995 – about $A46,000).

There is also the MG Cyberster, an electric roadster that is due to arrive in showrooms from 2024.

Which MG4 variants MG will bring to Australia will be interesting to see. It made the decision to leave out the long-range option when it announced the 2022 refresh in March and upped the standard-range asking price to $46,990 for its entry-level Excite trim, and $49,990 for the Essence trim.

In the UK, the MG4 is available in three options: the SE, SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range, which unsurprsingly sits at the top of the MG4 pile with an asking price of £31,495 (just above $A46,000 converted.)

Available in six colours and an “active grille” for the upper range variants, the Trophy also comes with a two-tone black roof and twin aero rear spoiler.

Specs for the MG4 start at 350km WLTP range for the 51kWh SE, 452km for the SE Long Range and 434km for the Trophy – both packing a 64kWh battery.

Both rear-drive, single-motor layouts, the car has a top speed of 160 km/hr thanks to the Long Range’s total output of 150kW to the rear axle, while the SE outputs 125kW and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds.

Both models include 17-inch alloy wheels, the LED headlights seen above, and adaptive cruise control as standard equipment.

Additionally, a 10.25-inch touchscreen entertainment system with Apple and Android smartphone compatibility and a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display are included.

Full local specifications and pricing will be released closer to launch date.