2024 MG 4 XPower electric hot hatch spied in Australia, on track in showrooms this year

Australia’s most powerful small hatchback – a battery-powered MG quicker than a Porsche 911 Carrera – has been caught on camera ahead of first showroom arrivals later this year.

The 2024 MG 4 XPower electric hot hatch has been photographed in Sydney ahead of its local showroom arrival due in November or December 2023.

The XPower is the high-performance version of the recently-arrived MG 4 electric car from China, promising sub-four-second 0-100km/h acceleration and more power than any other traditional petrol hatchback on sale in Australia.

A right-hand-drive, NSW-registered ‘Racing Green’ example has been spotted in an Officeworks car park next door to MG Australia’s head office by reader Andy, in an image posted to Facebook.

Prices are not due to be announced until cars arrive in showrooms begin in November 2023 – or early December – however MG Australia has indicated a price guide of $60,000 to $70,000 plus on-road costs.

It would place it in the same price territory as the Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen Golf R, and rival petrol hot hatches, which are about one second slower to 100km/h than the MG 4.

However it won’t be as competitively-priced as in overseas markets, where the XPower is priced similarly to the long-range, rear-wheel-drive 77kWh model that in Australia retails for $55,990 plus on-road costs.

If it is priced close to the $60,000 mark, the XPower will offer more power for the money than any new car on sale in Australia.

The MG 4 XPower is driven by two electric motors developing 320kW and 600Nm (based on European specifications) for a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds.

For context a four-cylinder VW Golf R has 235kW/400Nm for a 4.8-second 0-100km/h sprint, while a five-cylinder Audi RS3 has 294kW/500Nm for a 3.8-second 0-100km/h time.

Changes under the skin include 25 per cent stiffer suspension, torque vectoring, launch control, a Track drive mode, and unique 18-inch alloy wheels – though with the same Bridgestone Turanza tyres as regular Essence 64 and Long Range 77 model grades.

There will also be larger brake discs, plus visual changes including orange brake calipers, silver body decals, the unique Racing Green paint finish, and leather-look and Alcantara interior upholstery.

More details are due closer to the 2024 MG 4 XPower electric hot hatch’s formal showroom arrival later this year.

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