The MG4 Electric, baptized Mulan in China, will be marketed in Europe at the end of 2022. Available with a 51 kWh or 64 kWh battery for powers of 170 and 204 hp, this compact electric sedan intends to work well on the flower beds of the Renault Mégane E- Tech and other VW ID.3.
It won’t be Mulan like in China, but MG 4 Electric! MG’s new electric compact sedan drops its Disney heroine name for a simpler name in line with the recent MG 5 station wagon. Presentation of the characteristics of this new sedan rival of the Renault Mégane E-Tech and other VW ID.3.
Several engines to come
The MG 4 inaugurates a brand new modular platform MSP (Modular Scalable Platform) developed by the Chinese group SAIC, the parent company of the British manufacturer. The compact electric will be able to receive a battery of 51 kWh or 64 kWh, offering a respective autonomy of 350 or 450 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. According to MG, the design of this platform also makes it possible to accommodate batteries ranging from 40 kWh to 150 kWh and to increase the voltage up to 800V. On the engine side, the MG4 offers two power levels: 170 hp and 204 hp (depending on whether you opt for the small or the large accumulator), all delivered to the rear wheels only.
The British manufacturer announces 8 seconds to complete the 0 to 100 km/h exercise and a top speed set at 160 km/h. Performances that will perhaps be topped by a version with a more sporty vocation since “other variants of the MG4 Electric will be planned, including a version equipped with all-wheel drive.” To be continued. With its MSP architecture, the MG4 will be able to receive updates remotely and why not drive itself in the future thanks to its “complete swarm environment mapping system”.
Streamlined cabin
The passenger compartment of the MG4 Electric has a dashboard that is as refined as possible. The digital instrumentation is characterized by a simple slab of unknown size. Ditto for the infotainment system screen. Note, however, the presence of a few physical buttons but which do not seem to be able to control the air conditioning, for example. Floating in the middle of the center console there is an induction charging location for smartphones, the gear selector which takes the form of a wheel and the electric handbrake.
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Marketing at the end of 2022
With its 4.29 m length, the MG 4 Electric targets competitors in the segment, in particular the Renault Mégane E-Tech electric (4.20 m) and Volkswagen ID.3 (4.26 m). On paper, the power/battery deals are similar. It remains to be determined whether the announced autonomy is up to the French and German compacts.
As for the price, MG has not yet communicated the MG4. It should certainly be much lower than its competitors, the brand’s strategy being to find a place in the market with attractive prices. The electric compact sedan is still in the testing phase and has racked up more than 120,000 kilometres. The European launch of the MG4 Electric is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022.
