MG Mulan 'MG4' electric car breaks cover

After an early teaser back in February, the all-new 2022 MG Mulan has been uncovered in China ahead of an expected launch next year in Australia, where it’s expected to be badged the 2023 MG4.

Underpinned by the SAIC Group’s latest ‘Nebula’ platform, the Chinese car-maker has described the new MG Mulan as a “pure-electric super crossover vehicle” capable of a 4.0-second 0-100km/h dash, despite its compact stature.

Those claims are still to be verified, but points to a twin-motor flagship in the MG4 range and raises the tantalising prospect of MG offering a serious threat to incoming rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX and Cupra Born.

No powertrain specifics have been confirmed yet, but Chinese forums and social media have detailed preliminary specs.

According to a post on Weibo, the launch version of the MG Mulan will measure 4287mm long, 1836mm wide and 1516mm tall, resting on a 2705mm wheelbase.

At the entry level, drive will reportedly come from a single electric motor developing 150kW – enough to yield a 160km/h top speed.

In its own Weibo post, MG’s parent company SAIC said the Mulan would be “the first truly global car in China’s auto industry” and a “pure-electric travel answer sheet … for the global electric and intelligent network”.

“MG will give Mulan the spirit of being responsible, strategic and daring to make breakthroughs,” the post reads.

“MG Mulan has the extraordinary pure-electric performance of breaking 100 in four seconds and the sports performance that surpasses the same level.

“It is also equipped with the leading ‘zero thermal runaway’ protection system.

“The new car will be officially unveiled in the near future.”

The promise of a looming reveal lines up nicely with the fourth-quarter timeline nominated by MG Motor back in January when the Mulan was first teased.

While full details are still under wraps, we can at least now see what the car looks like.

If the front of the Mulan looks familiar, that’s perhaps because it bears a striking similarity to the first-generation Toyota Mirai with its slim, pointy headlights, triangular bumper sculpting and minimalist grille design.

The flanks of the car are awash with creases, folds and contours, most of which serve to broaden the rear haunches and feed into the star of the rear-end: the full-width lighting signature.

Spanning the entire tailgate, the red light strip is only interrupted by the central MG badge and is contrasted by darkened trim.

Above the strip resides a set of floating spoilers which are complemented below by a matching bumper design featuring a huge imitation diffuser.

We’re yet to get a formal glimpse of the interior, but we shouldn’t have to wait too long.

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