SPY PICS: Exclusive: New 2024 MG3 spotted in Sydney

The all-new 2024 MG3 has been spied for the first time in the streets – or at least the loading docks – of Australia, where this camouflaged test mule was spotted near Sydney City MG in Alexandria.

We captured these scoop images of the Chinese car-maker’s second-generation city-car today, ahead of the new MG3’s Australian release in 2024, when the crucial new model will become available with both a petrol engine and – for the first time – petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

MG Motor Australia told carsales back in March that it would soon replace Australia’s top-selling light car, but the Chinese auto brand couldn’t say whether the addition of new technologies – including hybrid power – would push its price beyond the $20,000 mark.

When remaining stocks of the Korean-made Kia Rio and Indian-built Suzuki Baleno are sold, the current MG3 (priced from $19,990 drive-away) will remain one of just two new cars available in Australia for under $20K, alongside the Kia Picanto (from $16,290).

Despite its push upmarket with hybrid and other technologies, MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao has confirmed the new MG3 will remain an ‘affordable’ option – the main reason the current model is so popular despite its age.

First released in China in 2011 and in Australia in 2016, the existing MG3 remains ‘unrated’ by independent vehicle safety authority ANCAP, yet continues to outsell the Suzuki Swift more than two to one, and the Kia Rio and Mazda two by more than three to one.

An MG Motor Australia spokesperson told carsales the company is “working on” getting the new MG3 crash-tested by here in Australia, but whether it achieves a maximum five-star safety rating remains to be seen.

The brand’s larger new MG5 was launched as Australia’s cheapest sedan in June, but apart from a now-mandatory autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system it brings only a handful of active driver-assistance functions, making it unlikely to attract a full five-star rating and prompting ANCAP to source its own vehicles for safety testing against its 2023 protocols – the results of which will be published later this year.

So far only two MG models have achieved a five-star safety rating, but just one – the new MG4 electric hatch – has been awarded the top gong under ANCAP’s more stringent 2020-2022 scoring regime.

carsales understands the new MG3 is based on underpinnings used across the broader SAIC parent company’s model range, including the Roewe i5 compact car sold in China.

That means it’ll likely come powered by the same 89kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine seen in the i5 overseas. A turbocharged 126kW version is also offered in some i5 variants, but it is not expected to feature in Australia’s new MG3.

However, the naturally-aspirated unit in the Roewe i5 would be a mild improvement on the 82kW/150Nm outputs of the 1.5-litre engine that powers our current MG3, which comes standard with a four-speed automatic transmission.

For hybrid variants, it’s believed a small 70kW/200Nm electric motor and 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery will be fitted to the same engine for a combined power output of 130kW, as is the case with the MG VS hybrid SUV sold in Thailand.

Outside, the new MG3 takes on a more edgy look, running on 16-inch alloy wheels and fitted with disc brakes at the rear, rather than the old-school drum brakes seen on some versions of the current MG3. Underneath, the disguised test car was fitted with a solid-beam rear axle.

It’s unclear whether the headlights or daytime running lights (DRLs) will be LED, but they won’t be full-LED units, and halogen front indicators featured on this test high-spec vehicle.

Improved safety tech such as lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition are at least expected to feature on the next MG3, and the availability of a sunroof will be a first for the Chinese brand’s city-car.

Elsewhere, the cabin features a range of new tech that appears to be borrowed from the new MG4, including a larger (likely 10.25-inch) central infotainment touch-screen with shortcut buttons and no designated climate control panel.

The vehicle we spied also incorporated a digital instrument cluster, rotary-style gear selector and the same sporty twin-spoke steering wheel as the MG4.

Sporty two-tone fabric seat trim was fitted up front, along with improved storage solutions, however, the rear seat and door trims were concealed from prying eyes.

Full details – including its local launch date – for the new MG3 are yet to be unveiled, however, carsales understands the vital new hatchback will go on sale Down Under early next year, so stay tuned.

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