2023 MG 4 electric hatch unveiled for Europe

MG’s upcoming electric small car has been shown in European-market form, wearing the rumoured MG 4 badge, and offering up to 450km of range.

More details of the 2023 MG 4 electric hatchback have been announced for Europe, ahead of an Australian launch expected early next year – possibly under a different nameplate.

Following the car’s debut in China as the Mulan, the European version has been unveiled wearing the long-expected MG 4 nameplate – in line with MG’s smaller MG 3 city car and MG 5 sedan or wagon (depending on market).

Measuring 4287mm long, 1836mm wide and 1504mm high, the MG 4 is 3mm longer, 47mm wider and 48mm taller than a Volkswagen Golf – and a similar size to its upcoming rival, fellow Chinese brand GWM’s Ora Good Cat.

Underpinning the new car is MG’s new ‘Modular Scalable Platform’ (MSP) – branded in China under the more imaginative Nebula name – for electric vehicles, with a super-slim 110mm battery mounted under the floor.

Available in Europe at launch will be two rear-wheel-drive models, opened by an entry-level variant with a 51kWh battery, a 125kW electric motor and 350km of WLTP claimed driving range.

The flagship offering (for now) will use a 64kWh battery and 150kW motor, good for 450km of WLTP range – specifications all eerily similar to a 150kW/395Nm Hyundai Kona Electric Extended Range, which can cover 484km WLTP on its 64kWh battery.

MG says this version will be capable of a 0-100km/h sprint time of eight seconds, towards a top speed of 160km/h.

All-wheel-drive models will follow later, delivering on the promised 3.8-second 0-100km/h time. Chinese reports suggest this acceleration will come from total outputs of 330kW and 600Nm.

Branded the One Pack, MG says battery sizes between 40kWh and 150kW will be available in cars on its MSP platform – said to allow for owners to upgrade the car’s battery capacity after purchase, if there’s enough space under the floor for a larger pack.

The MSP platform also supports the upgrading of electrical components as technology develops – including from 400-volt to 800-volt charging – plus ‘Battery as a Service’ (BaaS) subscriptions, over the air updates and autonomous driving tech.

The MG 4’s styling draws some inspiration from the Cyberster sports car, including sporty black design elements, LED front and rear lights and large machined alloy wheels.

Inside, the driver is greeted by a two-spoke steering wheel, ahead of a small digital instrument pod, and beside a large circa-10-inch tablet-style touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and digital climate controls.

The shelf below the infotainment screen is home to a wireless charger, electric parking brake and rotary gear shifter, with cupholders and more storage below it.

The 2023 MG 4 Electric is due on sale in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2022 (October to December).

An Australian launch is expected next year, with an MG Motor Australia spokesperson telling Drive: “We are currently reviewing the MG4 for the Australian market and exploring different variants. We expect to see this model in [the first half of] 2023.”

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