MG4 could be Australia’s cheapest electric car

Pricing and specifications for the new MG4 in the UK suggest a possible circa-$40,000 price in Australia.

MG’s take on the affordable, all-electric family car, the new MG4, could become Australia’s cheapest EV when it launches here in 2023. Pricing and specification has now been revealed for the UK and it is a fair chunk cheaper than the MG ZS EV already on sale.

We first saw the zero-emissions MG4 as the Mulan-badged EV in Chinese specification and we now know it’ll sit on the brand’s new MSP (Modular Scalable Platform) architecture. Our first drive MG4 review of a prototype is also very promising.

Underlining the MG4’s status as a key player in MG’s continued all-electric assault, the new platform will form the backbone of the next generation of electric MG models.

Detailed and priced in right-hand drive for the UK, the MG4 will be available there in three trims; SE Standard Range, SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range. The entry-level SE Standard Range starts from £25,995, which converts to around $45,000 Australian. Given the MG ZS EV is priced from around £31,000 (before the UK’s plug-in grant) and $47,000 here, the new MG ZS might well be priced at almost $40,000 driveaway locally when it launches.

For that, you get a 125kW, 51kWh battery capable of a WLTP-rated 350km of range. As standard it also gets the MG Pilot advanced driver assistance system, automatic LED headlights and rear lights, rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control and MG’s iSmart app connectivity.

Unsurprisingly, the Long Range SE has the longest range out of the MG4 lineup with over 450km claimed. This comes from the larger 64kWh battery which also has a 135kW charging capacity, meaning a charging time of 35 minutes to fill from 10 per cent to 80 per cent using a 150kW rapid charger.

Long Range SE models receive MG’s grille shutter system which regulates air flow according to vehicle requirements. MG says this improves aerodynamic efficiency by up to 30 per cent and can increase EV range by as much as 10 per cent.

The range-topping MG4 is the EV Trophy claims a 434km range fitted with the larger 64kWh battery. It also gets an upgraded version of the MG Pilot System and safety features such as blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert. Additionally, a two-tone roof, rear privacy glass, twin aero rear spoiler, leather interior with electric driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, sat-nav, 360 camera and wireless phone charging are all standard. Full performance figures have yet to be revealed, but the 150kW, 64kWh model will be able to do 0-100km/h in under eight seconds. Top speed is limited to 160km/h.

MG has confirmed that the MSP platform can host all-wheel-drive electric powertrains and a further development of the MG 4 with a dual-motor system is in the pipeline. MG also says its MSP will allow for battery swap systems and ‘Service-Oriented Architecture’ will enable vehicles to receive over-the-air updates throughout their lifecycle.