MG MG4 Australian release date confirmed! Electric hatch set for launch in first half of 2023

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An electric hatchback with up to 450km of WLTP range, overseas pricing that should be achievable for the masses and critical success, the MG4 electric hatchback is off to a great start already.

Following the confirmation of a spicy 300kW+ version late last month, at the reveal of the facelifted MG ZS EV, executives confirmed to Chasing Cars that the new MG4 hatchback will make its way into Australian dealers in the first half of next year. 

Speaking with Chasing Cars sales director of MG Australia and New Zealand, Giles Belcher, confirmed his enthusiasm for the new hatch that will be the first to sit on the brand’s new dedicated ‘Modular Scalable Platform’ (MSP) underpinnings.

As for pricing, that will be confirmed closer to the Australian launch of the car. UK list prices give an indication of where the new electric vehicle may start for now – and it’s well under $50K. 

In the UK a standard range MG4 SE starts from £25,995 which equates to AU$44,344 at time of publishing. Considering a standard range MG ZS EV costs the equivalent of AU$46,902 in the UK, we can expect the MG4 to start from under $50K.

That would give it a head start on rivals such as the Nissan Leaf ZE+ ($50,990 before on-road costs), Kia Niro S EV ($65,300 before on-road costs) and Hyundai Kona Electric standard range ($54,500 before on-road costs).

Mr Belcher said that strong critical reception overseas could prove tricky for Australia’s stock levels of the new hatch: “if the MG4 is getting good reports overseas, it’ll be harder to get here.”

MG4 range, charging and battery size

There are two batteries on offer in the UK, a smaller 51kWh (50.8kWh usable) liquid-cooled lithium ion pack is the price leader and gives the MG4 a WLTP range of 350km with an efficient 14.5kWh/100km energy consumption figure. 

Rapid charging speed is capped at 100kW DC for the standard range car for a 10-80 percent (240km range) battery recuperation time of 37 minutes.

Moving up to the larger 64kWh (61.7kWh usable) battery alleviates an extra 100km of range for 450km WLTP with a 13.7kWh/100km efficiency figure. 

The larger battery can be charged at a faster rate of 125kW (DC) also using a CCS plug for a similar 10-80 percent charge time of 34 minutes. AC charging is capped at 7kW and will take around 10 hours for the big battery to climb from 0-100 percent charge.

Outputs of the MG4 are not blistering, but 150kW of power and 250Nm of torque from the single, rear-mounted electric motor are enough to hit 100km/h in 8.0 seconds (claimed). 

What variants of MG4 exist?

In the UK MG offers three grades of MG4. The base model SE is available in both standard and long range, while the sporty Trophy in a single high-trim grade with the big battery.

The SE is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, 10.25-inch touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and MG’s Pilot safety suite. 

The up-spec Trophy can be told apart by its more aggressive roof spoiler and two-tone roof. Inside there’s wireless phone charging, leather upholstery, heated seats, navigation and keyless entry. 

Given there are two variants of ZS EV sold in Australia, it’s possible the same will be true of the new MG4 when it arrives in Australia in the first half of 2023, potentially with a sub-$50K price tag.