2023 MG 4 XPower electric hot hatch unveiled due in Australia soon

One of the world’s most powerful hot hatchbacks has been unveiled – and it comes from an unlikely source. It is expected to reach Australian showrooms later this year.

The 2023 MG 4 XPower electric hot hatch from China has been revealed in the UK, ahead of first Australian showroom arrivals expected before the end of this year.

After initial images were released earlier this year, the car maker has released full details and photos of its first electric hot hatch — and both the quickest and most powerful model ever to wear the MG badge.

Australian showroom arrival timing is yet to be confirmed, however Drive understands the MG 4 XPower is due in Australian showrooms by the end of this year, alongside the broader MG 4 electric-car model range.

MORE: 2023 MG 4 XPower electric hot hatch a step closer to Australia

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for Australia, however in the UK it is set to cost £36,495 ($AU69,500) – a premium of 12 per cent over the top-of-the-range variant with a 64kWh battery and rear-wheel drive (£32,495, or $AU62,000).

In Australia this model is priced from $47,990 plus on-road costs – suggesting a price tag of about $55,000 plus on-road costs for the XPower model, if the UK price premium is applied.

Powering the MG 4 XPower are two electric motors (150kW front and 170kW rear) developing 320kW and 600Nm combined, good for zero to 100km/h acceleration in a claimed 3.8 seconds.

The power and acceleration figures are on par with the quickest and most powerful petrol-powered hot hatchbacks on the market, including the 310kW/500Nm Mercedes-AMG A45 S, which can complete the benchmark acceleration run in a claimed 3.9 seconds.

The XPower’s electric motors are paired to a 64kWh battery pack from mid-grade variants – not the 77kWh pack available in Australia’s top-of-the-range model – good for 385km of claimed driving range, down from 435km in the regular 64kWh rear-drive model.

Compared to standard MG 4 variants, the XPower gains 25 per cent stiffer suspension – with “recalibrated” spring and damper tuning, stiffer anti-roll bars and “sharper” steering – and advanced torque-vectoring software, with a locking electronic differential helping to shift power between each wheel.

The regenerative braking software has been “recalibrated … to allow one pedal driving in suitable situations,” according to MG.

Launch control is available to hit the 0-100km/h acceleration claim, while it is expected versions sold in Australia are due to offer a ‘Track’ driving mode.

New 18-inch alloy wheels fill the arches, wrapped in Bridgestone tyres – though unusually they are from Bridgestone’s ‘Turanza’ line of comfort-oriented family-car tyres, rather than the ‘Potenza’ high-performance tyre range.

The brakes have been upgraded to ventilated 345mm discs on all four wheels, MG UK says – up from ventilated 300x25mm front and solid 300x12mm discs on the standard MG 4.

MG claims a stopping distance from 100km/h of 33.9 metres.

Design changes are limited to the unique wheels, orange XPower-branded brake calipers, a black contrast roof, silver body decals, and the option of Racing Green exterior paint.

Inside, it is expected there will be synthetic leather-look and Alcantara suede seat upholstery – but used to trim the same two-piece seats as the standard MG 4, not the one-piece sports seats available in the left-hand-drive Chinese market.

The MG 4 XPower is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms by the end of this year – pending final confirmation and any unforeseen delays.

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