MG eyes Marvel R SUV, Cyberster EV convertible and possible MG3 EV for release in Australia

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MG Australia has revealed that both the Marvel R small SUV and forthcoming Cyberster sportscar reboot are slated for local release in what appears to be an era of aggressive expansion down under for the Chinese marque.

“The Cyberster is definitely on the cards [for Australia], as well as the Marvel R,” says MG Australia PR manager David Giammetta, at the recent local reveal of the new MG4 electric small hatchback. 

“They’re not too far away,” he continued, though MG Australia is yet to reveal the exact timing of the two model lines that would effectively expand the local portfolio from four nameplates – MG3, HS, ZS and incoming MG4 – to six. 

The Cyberster, strongly purported to be a two-door drop-top sportscar that taps MG’s older heritage, would surely be a lynchpin in MG’s aims to be considered a more upmarket brand than what it is now generally considered.

“[MG} is in a really interesting phase of the brand,” says MG marketing manager Rick Whaite. “We’ve managed to now become the seventh largest seller in the [Australian] marketplace and I think we’ve done it in a time that’s far quicker than perhaps our Korean counterparts did.

“It’s exciting for us. I think cars like [the MG4] are going to be transformational in terms of the way people think and feel about the brand.

“We obviously have a very strong reputation for value [but] now it’s about making sure that we add far more dimension to that as well. And cars’ like [the MG4] will certainly do that for us. 

“While we will never walk away from value, it is not the basis of our platform.”

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the forthcoming electric rear-drive MG4 small hatchback, though the range entry point is expected to undercut that of the ZS EV midsize SUV (from $43,990 list).  

However, it’s expected that it will be joined in the Aussie lineup by an upmarket, high-performance dual-motor variant – as debuted in China – in the not-too-distant future. 

Meanwhile, the Marvel R, MG’s effective second-generation electric midsize SUV, is a dual- or triple-motor platform positioned to bring sub-five-second performance in a family friendly package that clearly targets the likes of Tesla Model Y (from $69,300 in single-motor form).   

A dedicated premium sportscar and a duo of high-performance, Tesla-rivalling models would go some way in repositioning MG’s brand perception with buyers. 

Then there’s MG3. 

MG Australia also teased that there’s a “high likelihood” that a replacement for the cheap, cheerful and aging MG3 compact hatch would be fully electric. 

Indeed, MG’s latest “take charge” marketing catchphrase strongly suggests an inevitable BEV future for its strong selling compact runabout. 

“We’re keen to start sharing more teaser products with [the media and Australian the public] and [future MG3] is definitely going to be one of them,” Giammetta says. 

“We know there’s a demand for MG3 and we’re keen to continue that.”