Battery capacity ranges from 51kWh with an official range of 350km through to the extended 77kWh version with a range of 530km.

Pricing is from an entry price of $38,990 through to the top model at $55,990 plus the usual on road costs.

Other features include:

• 5 driving modes. (Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Custom)
• Four distinct regenerative braking modes
• A one pedal driving mode
• Vehicle to load functionality.
• Rear wheel drive and a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution

The 64kWh battery is also capable of recharging at up to 140kW, meaning a charge time of only 26 minutes from 10% – 80% using a 150kW DC rapid charger.

MG has certainly made a splash since its introduction to Australia, now a top ten selling model. The MG4 at sharp price points will certainly enhance the proposition

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

TO LISTEN TO THE MG4 RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

Full MG4 Hatchback details

The new MG4 EV is an all-electric hatchback designed to offer customers affordable, zero-emissions motoring without compromise.  The entry level MG4 Excite 51 is priced from just $38,990 (AUD) plus on-road costs*, $44,990 (AUD) plus on-road costs* for 64kWh Excite, $47,990 (AUD) plus on-road costs* for 64kWh Essence, $55,990 (AUD) plus on-road costs* for the 77kWh Essence.

MG Motor Australia and New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao said: “The MG4 is a new standard for electric vehicles in Australia. MG has brought together a brilliant mix of affordability, range and quality for Australian drivers.”

“Our MG4 is backed with a 7-year warranty and has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating, ahead of local deliveries beginning this month. We’re excited for private, fleet and rideshare drivers who’ll benefit from this!”

“The MG4 has received awards from some of the UK’s leading motoring experts recognising its amazing features, practicality, dynamic handling and for we know it’ll be embraced in the same way locally being the best-value EV currently on sale in Australia at $38,990 (AUD) plus on road costs.”

Features of the MG4 range include:

• 5 Driving Modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Custom)
• 4 Regenerative Braking Modes(1,2,3,A)
• One Pedal Mode
• 10.25″ Multi-function colour touch screen Apple CarPlay & Android AUTO
• MG Pilot Driver Safety Technology
• Vehicle To Load Functionality (V2L)
• i-SMART connectivity
• Reverse Camera
• 17″ alloy wheels with two-tone aero covers

This is MG’s first fully-electric hatchback, optimising space, technology, affordability and driving quality. The MG4 EV is the first to use the innovative new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) that will underpin a new generation of MGs, featuring rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight distribution and thin battery technology.

MG4 Model range

Four specifications are now offered for sale – the MG4 51kWh Excite, MG4 64kWh Excite, the MG4 64kWh Essence and the MG4 77kWh Essence (Long Range).

With battery capacities from 51kWh, 64kWh to 77kWh, the current MG4 EV range is capable of up to 530km on the WLTP cycle for 77kWh Essence Long Range, with 64kWh Excite capable of 450km (WLTP) and 64kWh Essence at 435km (WLTP), 51kWh at 350km (WLTP) respectively.

This remarkably affordable range of battery options gives customers the opportunity to find their most suitable driving specification and price point.

The 64kWh battery is also capable of recharging at up to 140kW, meaning a charge time of only 26 minutes from 10% – 80% using a 150kW DC rapid charger. The MG4 EV is expected to bring zero-emissions motoring within reach for far more Australian customers, representing an affordable, credible alternative to conventional petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

The MG4 EV also carries MG’s trademark 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty as standard, which remains one of the longest fully-transferable warranties in the country.

 MG4 ANCAP Safety Rating

MG4 EV achieved a full five start ANCAP safety rating. The MG 4 Electric performed well across each aspect of ANCAP assessment under the 2020-2022 rating criteria.

The MG 4 Electric is fitted with a range of collision avoidance technologies including autonomous emergency braking, active lane support, and fatigue monitoring.  Good results were seen for its performance in AEB Cyclist and some AEB Car-to-Car test scenarios, including when turning across the path of an oncoming vehicle. Mixed results were seen in AEB Pedestrian test scenarios.  AEB Backover functionality, designed to detect and respond to pedestrians in reverse, is not available.

The lane support system fitted to the MG 4 Electric showed Good performance in lane keep assist test scenarios, and Adequate performance in the more critical emergency lane keeping scenarios.

Structurally, maximum points were awarded to the MG 4 Electric for its protection of adult occupants in the side impact and oblique pole tests. A mix of Good, Adequate and Marginal results were seen in the full width frontal and frontal offset (MPDB) tests, with penalties applied for excessive forward movement of the rear passenger dummy in the full width frontal test, and for potential hard contact to the driver’s knees in the MPDB test.

The MPDB test

The MPDB test – which also assesses vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility – showed that the MG 4 Electric presented a relatively low injury risk to occupants of an oncoming vehicle, with a modest penalty of 0.69 points applied.

The MG 4 Electric is however not fitted with a centre airbag or similar countermeasure to prevent contact between front seat occupants, and prevention of excursion (movement to the other side of the vehicle) was assessed as Adequate for the vehicle-to-vehicle scenario, and Poor for the vehicle-to-pole scenario.

Strong scores were seen for the protection of child occupants in the front and side impact crash tests.

“The MG 4 Electric is the first MG model to achieve five-stars under ANCAP’s 2020-2022 protocols,” said ANCAP Chief Executive, Carla Hoorweg.

The ANCAP safety rating applies to two wheel drive variants of the MG 4 Electric currently available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand. Full details on the safety performance of the MG 4 Electric can be viewed here.

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• MG’s most technologically advanced EV yet: the 64kWh Essence version of the MG4 is priced starting from $47,990 (AUD) plus on-road costs*.
• European award winning design and Five-star Euro NCAP score awarded to the entire current MG4 model range.
• Extensive standard equipment: LED headlights, 10.25-inch infotainment system and the first Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) available from MG Motor in Australia and New Zealand.

The zero driving emission MG4 64kWh Essence model impresses with 150kW of power, 50:50 weight distribution, a rear-wheel drive configuration and a low centre of gravity in synch with the battery design and placement. With a range of up to 435KM on a single charge, the MG4 64kWh Essence is paving the way for accessible electric driving.

As the first model to use the innovative new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), the MG4 EV paves the way and sets a precedent for the next generation of all-electric MGs’.

The Essence model also carries innovative features including MG Pilot advanced driver assistance system, automatic LED headlights and rear lights, rear parking sensors, 18” alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control and MG iSmart app connectivity.

The MG4 EV line-up will offer exceptional storage, interior and boot space within its compact exterior dimensions thanks to a stretched wheelbase of 2,705mm. Rear boot capacity is also enhanced by world class battery technology, which measures just 110mm in thickness.

The 64kWh battery is also capable of charging up to 135kW, meaning a charge time of only 60 minutes to 80% using a 50kW DC rapid charger.

MG4 EV Pilot system

The Essence model will also be equipped with MG Pilot system, with the inclusion of Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Additionally, a two-tone roof, twin aero rear spoiler, 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging and iSmart connectivity compatible with the app are all standard in the Essence.

The MG4 (64kWh Essence) can be ordered through MG’s extensive national dealer network from Tuesday, 11th April.

Advantages of switching to an MG electric vehicle: Electric vehicles offer a high degree of economic and environmental efficiency. Like many countries around the world, Australia also currently offers state based incentives for electric vehicles. This year, purchase of an MG4 can be subsidised by state based incentives for private purchasers. There are also other monetary benefits for businesses: (fringe benefits tax), ownership costs for operation with electric vehicles and a reduced maintenance requirement.

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