Australian MG4 EV details firm

Preliminary details of the 2023 MG4 have been published at the federal government’s vehicle homologation website, indicating that just one variant will be available when the all-new Chinese-built electric hatch is released in Australia in the first half of next year.

Exactly when the bespoke EV arrives in a showroom near you remains to be seen, but we can now confirm local versions will be powered by a single 125kW electric motor drawing current from a 51kWh battery pack.

This particular combination yields a WLTP-certified driving range of up to 350km, however, other markets have access to a bigger 64kWh battery that extends the range to 450km and accommodates an extra 25kW of power.

Despite being absent from the official Road Vehicle Regulator database (so far), this more powerful and longer-range MG4 variant is still anticipated to make it to Australia, but it’s not yet known when that will happen.

A Tesla-baiting 330kW/600Nm MG4 ‘Triumph Edition’ has also recently surfaced in China.

Initial Aussie versions of the Toyota Corolla-size MG4 will ride on a 2705mm wheelbase, tip the scales at a class-competitive 1635kg and measure 4287mm long, 1836mm wide and 1504mm tall.

Stopping duties will come courtesy of 300x25mm discs up front and narrower 300x12mm discs at the rear, helped by the 215/50-profile tyres.

The homologation data doesn’t reveal much in terms of standard equipment apart from the inclusion of 17-inch alloy wheels, but overseas model highlights comprise a free-standing digital instrument cluster, wide touch-screen infotainment interface, rotary gear selector and wireless phone charging pack.

Australian MG Motor executives wouldn’t be drawn into revealing or even hinting at the MG4’s local pricing earlier this month at the local launch of the facelifted MG ZS EV, but they promised the announcement would be made by the end of this year.

Given its positioning as a small car rather than a small SUV like the ZS EV, the expectation is the MG4 will undercut the battery-powered high-rider on price and become one of Australia’s most affordable EVs, with a sub-$40,000 starting figure still very much on the cards.

The MG4 will face stiff competition though as a wave of zero-emissions Chinese rivals inch their way closer to the Aussie market, with the two biggest threats being the BYD Dolphin and GWM-Ora Good Cat – both of which are anticipated to launch here from under $40K.

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