MG Marvel R Electric and MG5 Electric revealed

MG has come out with all its EV guns blazing, revealing two new electric vehicles ahead of their European release later this year.

The most significant is the beefed-up MG Marvel R Electric – a triple-motor electric version of the MG HS mid-size SUV – while the MG5 Electric small car is being billed as the world's first all-electric station wagon.

Fresh from launching the cut-price MG ZS EV small SUV and MG HS Plug-In Hybrid in Australia, the historic Shanghai-based British brand’s new-generation battery-powered vehicles were revealed in Amsterdam tonight.

Based on the upcoming MG5 small car already confirmed for Australia, the MG5 Electric wagon will be released in Europe in October, while the MG Marvel R Electric launches in Europe in May.

Neither model has yet been confirmed for Australia, but carsales understands that while the MG5 Electric is an unlikely starter Down Under, where MG became a top 10 brand for the first time last month, the Marvel R electric SUV is odds-on to become part of MG’s ‘Electric for Everyone’ brand strategy locally.

“We’re excited to see the potential of the MG Marvel R and its performance would certainly excite Australian buyers,” said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson.

“There are currently no plans to introduce the Marvel R to the local MG line-up, but it’s one we’re watching with interest.”

Described as a high-tech luxurious lifestyle SUV, the MG Marvel R Electric features a powerful 212kW/665Nm triple-motor EV powertrain and a thoroughly updated interior.

Based on preliminary figures, the all-wheel drive mid-size SUV will offer a 400km-plus WLTP driving range, 0-100km/h acceleration in just 4.9 seconds, a 200km/h top speed and even a 750kg towing capacity.

It incorporates an 11kW three-phase on-board charger for ‘refueling’ at a public EV station, and its unspecified battery is said to take 30 minutes to charge to 80 per cent of capacity via a DC fast-charger.

Other key tech features of the MG Marvel R Electric Tri-Motor, which incorporates two rear-mounted electric motors and will also be available in rear-wheel drive form, includes i-Booster braking assistance and a climate control system with internal heat pump for optimum charging at low temperatures.

There’s also a V2L (vehicle-to-load) external power supply system that allows the lithium-ion battery to supply energy to other electrical devices such as an air pump, electric scooter, laptop or even another EV, which MG describes as “an important innovation for the clean energy transition and last-mile solutions”.

Inside, the MG Marvel R Electric features a new ‘intelligent cockpit’ design dubbed iSmart and highlighted by a massive 19.4-inch floating central touch-screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Naturally, all of the car-maker’s MG Pilot driver assistance functions are present and the e-SUV rides on a 2800mm wheelbase and measures 4674mm long, 1919mm wide and 1618mm tall.

Cargo capacity extends from 357 litres to a total of 1396L with the rear seat folded down, and the RWD version adds another 150 litres of luggage space under the bonnet (or ‘frunk’).

The MG5 Electric wagon, meantime, brings even more practicality with 578 litres of luggage space, expanding to 1456 litres with the rear seats folded. Riding on a 2665mm wheelbase, it measures 4544mm long, 1811mm wide and 1513mm high.

Like the MG Marvel R Electric SUV, the small electric wagon is claimed to deliver a WLTP range of at least 400km and can be charged via an 11kW three-phase on-board AC charger, or a DC fast-charger that’s said to be capable of filling the lithium-ion battery between the axles to 80 per cent of capacity in half an hour.

Once again there is a V2L external power supply, i-Booster braking assistance and the full MG Pilot driver assistance suit.

In this case, however, the MG5 Electric is powered by a single electric motor outputting 135kW/280Nm, claimed to hit 100km/h in 8.3 seconds and can only tow up to 500kg.