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Forbes
a day ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
MG IM5 And IM6 Test Driven: Tesla's Model 3 And Y Beaten At Last?
MG has launched cars from its IM sub-brand in the UK. MG has made a reputation for proving that electric cars don't have to be expensive. But the Cyberster convertible sports EV was a step in a different direction, and now MG has more mainstream luxury plans. With the launch of its IM sub-brand, MG is targeting a premium, corporate fleet customer. I took MG IM's first two models, the IM5 and IM6, for a test drive at the UK launch. They're both very good indeed. Why IM And Not Just MG? MG is familiar in the UK, but it's just one of the brands housed under the umbrella of giant Chinese automaker SAIC Motor, which also owns Maxus. You may have seen the latter's electric vans in use by London delivery companies. IM is another of SAIC's originally Chinese-only brands, standing for Intelligence in Motion. It's the luxury marque in the portfolio, like Denza is for BYD, AVATR for Changan, and indeed Lexus for Toyota. MG is making a clear step up into the luxury space with the IM introduction into Europe. While this is an entirely separate brand in China, the decision was to keep these cars under the MG monicker in the UK and EU, although the MG branding is subtle – no logo, just 'MG' lettering on the rear. The Chinese IM symbol is in greater evidence, bearing no resemblance to any language. IM is one of SAIC Motor's brands in China SAIC also has joint ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen to make and sell their cars in China. The latter includes Audi-branded models, such as the E5, revealed at Auto Shanghai 2025. There has been talk that the European IM cars share a drivetrain with the Audi E5, but while there could be shared components, there is no confirmation that the drivetrain is the same, and it's not quite identical to those available with the Chinese IM cars either. To begin with, there are two IM models arriving in the UK and a couple of European countries (Switzerland and Norway, which don't charge the tariffs on imported Chinese EVs of EU countries). The IM6 is the SUV, called the LS6 in China, and the IM5 is the Chinese L6. There are three drivetrain choices, although only two of them are available with the IM6. The base one includes a 75kWh (gross) battery and 291hp motor driving the rear wheels. Then there's a Long Range version with 100kWh (gross) battery and 402hp motor driving the rear wheels. Then the Performance version has the same battery but with a whopping 742hp dual motors driving all four wheels. MG IM5 The MG IM5 is the sedan member of the range, and it's a close facsimile of the Tesla Model 3. That's not necessarily a bad thing, considering how successful that car has been. All three drivetrains are available with this car, and there are no trim levels beyond this, just some rather sober paint choices. White is the basic one, and then there are grey, blue and black for £545 ($730) extra. You can choose grey or white interiors. And that's it for options. It's obvious just getting into the IM5 that this car is a big step up from previous MGs, although they have been improving with every generation. The front seats are heated and ventilated, while the rear ones are heated. The dashboard is dominated by a 26.3in ultra-widescreen that combines infotainment to the left and instrumentation to the right. A second 10.5in portrait display sits lower down in the middle to provide most other interface controls. I'd still prefer actual buttons for key climate controls, but it's relatively easy to find these and accessing them won't interfere with seeing the navigation screen, as with some cars. However, the rear window is more cosmetic than useful in the IM5. I supposed it does let some light in, but you can barely see out of it via the rearview mirror. The MG IM5 is a hatchback disguised as a sedan. There's plenty of room for passengers in the rear, though, accentuated by the large panoramic sunroof. This doesn't have any funky chromatic shade-changing capabilities like the new Nissan Leaf or Lotus Emeya, however. One simple area where the IM5 surpasses the Model 3 is that it's a hatchback, giving you a bit easier access to the rear luggage space. You get 457 liters with the rear seats up, 1,290 liters with them down, and there's a small 18-liter frunk as well – around the same in total as a Model 3. While the basic Standard Range IM5 takes a relatively pedestrian (for an EV) 6.8 seconds to hit 62mph, the Long Range and Performance cars are quick, requiring just 4.9 and 3.2 seconds respectively. One of the key improvements over previous MGs is that the IM cars have four-wheel steering. At lower speeds, the rear wheels turn slightly in the opposite direction of the front ones, making cornering smoother. At higher speeds, they turn in the same direction so that changing lanes is more stable. I found the IM5 to be quite nimble on A-roads and extremely assured on motorways. With IM, MG is bringing its interior design and quality up to a new level. The version of the IM5 I drove at the launch was the Performance, and I mostly drove it in the top Sport mode. My regular driver is Tesla Model 3 Performance, so this is a close comparison. On paper, the two cars have almost-identical performance, but the IM5 doesn't have quite the immediacy of accelerator response that the Tesla offers. But it's still incredibly quick to get going, making A-road overtaking similarly safe and efficient. The ride quality is much better than the pre-Highland Model 3 Performance as well, although the latest version of the Tesla is comparable. Like the MG4 XPOWER, the IM5 isn't set up for the track-level driving. But that four-wheel steering does make for very refined behaviour at speed. I drove a good mix of A-roads, small town and highway, and almost entirely in Sport mode, and it was a very pleasurable experience. You'll still get a more engaging drive out of a BMW i4 M50. The BYD Seal falls behind the IM5 in driver involvement too. As the IM5 is a hatchback, rear luggage space can be quite extensive. The 75kWh (73.5kWh net) car promises 304 WLTP miles, while the 100kWh (96.5kWh net) Long Range offers a much greater 441 miles, and the Performance a still very credible 357 miles. With the Performance car, driving for about two hours quite vigorously, I achieved 2.8 miles per kWh, which would give a real-world range of 270 miles. Charging is also impressive for the 100kWh battery cars, which have an 800V system. The maximum is 396kW, which you will not find in the UK yet. But with a 350kW charger, it will only take 17 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%. The 75kWh battery uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry and a 400V system, so maxes out at a more pedestrian 153kW when charging, taking 26 minutes to go from 10 to 80% on a fast enough charger. MG IM6 The IM6 SUV is likely to be the bigger seller of the two cars, although like the family resemblance between the Tesla Model 3 and Y, the IM6 is essentially an SUV version of the IM5. In fact, both cars have a lot of external resemblance to their Tesla equivalents (at least the previous generation versions). The IM frontal design is a little more interesting, however. The IM6 SUV is only offered with the 100kWh battery, so only with two drivetrains – Long Range and Performance. However, there is a third version of the car called the Launch Edition, which is based on the Performance model but comes with adaptive air suspension. The IM cars have a quite a lot of Tesla resemblance, but the front is more characterful and ... More aggressive. The IM6 interior isn't massively different in style to the IM5. However, the IM6's front seats don't just offer heating and ventilation – they have a massage function too. I found this beneficial over my two-hour test drive, although it doesn't have the range of options you get with a Lotus or BMW massage seat. Your primary reason for buying the SUV is space. There is more of it in the back seats than the IM5, and the rear luggage space is much greater too. The basic capacity is 665 liters (646 liters for the Launch Edition, because the air suspension kit takes up some of the space). This extends to 1640 liters with the rear seats down (1621 for the Launch Edition). This isn't as much as the Tesla Model Y, and the Skoda Enyaqi iV offers a bit more too. But it's still plenty of space for carrying a family's luggage on a holiday trip or DIY materials back from the home improvement store. It's also worth noting that the IM6 (and IM5) can tow 750kg unbraked or 1,500kg braked, so pulling a small caravan or boat is possible with any of these cars. The IM6 is essentually the SUV version of the IM5. I drove the Performance version of the IM6 too, rather than the Launch Edition, so can't comment on the efficacy of the air suspension. It wasn't as relentlessly quick as the IM5, but still very capable of A-road overtaking and extremely composed on the highway. The Long Range takes 5.4 seconds to hit 62mph, while the Performance and Launch Edition take 3.5 seconds. With a 100kWh battery across all versions, the IM6 offers excellent range. The Long Range version can go 388 WLTP miles, while the Performance and Launch Edition go 313 miles. During my test driving of the IM6 Performance on the same route as the IM5. I managed 2.5 miles per kWh, which would equate to 241 miles. That's not outstanding but certainly decent for a 2,410kg SUV with this level of performance. Also, with that extremely fast charging available, you won't need to stop very long to replenish. MG IM Technology Although the general sense of quality of the IM5 and IM6 are a step above what MG has offered before, the tech is the area where these cars feel the most differentiation. Controls are Tesla/Mercedes-like, with a stalk on the right for choose drive and reverse. There are paddles for configuring the adaptive cruise control, which is standard on all models, and the steering wheel only has scroll wheels, no other buttons. I particularly enjoyed the exit mode, where the driver's seat goes back automatically when you open the door, to facilitate getting out. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, although the built-in satnav is very responsive and usable, with live traffic included. I particularly like the way blind spot detection has been implemented on the IM5 and IM6. Not only do you get an amber light on the wing mirrors, but there's also a camera view that pops up when you indicate and the edge of the wide display glows red. That's plenty of warning to help you avoid an unnecessary accident when changing lanes. MG's IM cars are heavily imbued with cutting-edge technology. There's plenty of other safety tech on these cars, and most of it is a lot more sophisticated than previous MGs. The camera-based driver distraction system is a little... distracting. But the automatic parking options are quite effective. You can detect spaces in a parking lot and the car will pull into one of these automatically and adjust itself right into the middle. The curbside option pulls the car over 6 inches left or right using 4-wheel steering, which is great if you parallel parked too far out. The most impressive capability is how the car will remember the last 100m of your driving. If you hit One Touch Reverse, the car will then back up exactly the way you came. So if you accidentally went down a narrow cul-de-sac and can't turn around, this will help you get back out again. I tried it and it was unnervingly capable. Perhaps less essential but fun are the scene modes. The nap mode reclines your seat and triggers one of a couple of ambient lighting and sound options so you can have a rest. Rainy night clears the windows, puts the wing mirror cameras permanently on, and darkens the screens. The screens also have themes with some control over screen backgrounds, and there are loads of ambient lighting options. One other nice touch is that, while there is only one wireless phone charger, it's ventilated so your phone won't overheat while charging. Overall, the IM cars have mature and mostly well-thought-out technology. However, while the infotainment system does offer YouTube and (naturally, for a Chinese-built car) TikTok, the narrow screen isn't ideal for watching either. The sound systems are solid, though. There's a speaker in the head rest as well, mostly used for navigational directions, which takes some getting used to. Can IM Take MG To The Next Level? Both IM cars are very credible, refined and mature vehicles. After all, they're only new to Europe – they've been on sale in various forms in China for a few years now. But even the infotainment seemed devoid of rough edges, as I've often seen with other new Chinese brands I've tested. Both cars are priced competitively too. The base Standard Range IM5 undercuts the Expensive Car Supplement in the UK at £39,450 ($53,000). It's over £5,000 ($6,700) cheaper than the entry BYD Seal Design, while the IM5 Performance is almost identically priced to the BYD Seal AWD Excellence at £48,495, while being faster and offering a lot more range. The BMW i4 is a lot more expensive than any IM5 for any model and then goes considerably further north as you move up the range. The true competitor is the Tesla Model 3, which starts at under £40,000 ($54,000) as well and offers more range, much more efficiency, and better performance. However, the Long Range RWD is almost identically priced to the IM5 Long Range, with the same performance, although it gets almost the same range with 75% of the battery, so still wins out on efficiency. The MG IM5 and IM6 could be popular fleet choices. The true 'cat amongst the pigeons' therefore is the IM5 Performance, which undercuts the Tesla Model 3 Performance by over £10,000 ($13,000) while offering similar acceleration and top speed, but more range. That is with less efficiency again, but this may not concern those with cheap home power or with fleet charging. Considering SUV sales, however, the IM6 could be the bigger seller. This starts at £1,000 ($1,300) more than the BYD Sealion 7, but you get better performance, a bigger battery and 88 more miles of WLTP range. It also undercuts the Tesla Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive while offering the same range and performance. The IM6 Performance is priced below BYD's dual-motor options with comparable or better range and better performance. The Tesla Model Y Dual Motor is still the range king, but as there's no Performance version yet, it lags behind the IM6 in speed. It's not a clearcut win for MG, but both in sedan and SUV form the IM cars are clear contenders against other Chinese brands. They put up strong competition against the Tesla Model 3 and Y too. If MG can tempt fleet buyers to add the IM5 and IM6 to their offerings, they're likely to be popular, high-quality alternatives.
7NEWS
7 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
MG 4 EV Urban: New trademark leaves door open for second electric hatch
The MG 4 isn't going anywhere, says MG Motor Australia, but it could be joined by a newer electric hatch. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. Such a name would be a fairly logical choice for an electric hatch MG recently revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, distinguishing it from the existing MG 4 that the company's local arm says isn't being discontinued. MG wouldn't confirm whether the new electric hatch had been locked in for Australian release, nor whether it could wear the MG 4 EV Urban nameplate. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. 'MG regularly trademarks names for potential future vehicles. As we continue to expand our range in Australia, It's important to maintain flexibility,' an MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. 'No decision has been made to use this name in Australia. 'The current MG 4 is not going anywhere and no decision has been made yet on the alternate model,' the spokesperson added, when asked whether the company had locked in the new electric hatch for our market. It's worth noting that of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. When the new MG 4 was revealed in March, MG Motor Australia said it was 'reviewing this new model and considering it for the Australian market' – something it says is still the case – and that should it come here, it wouldn't replace the current model. The spokesperson also noted the new car, despite being revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, rides on a different platform from the existing MG 4 which uses the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform shared with the MG S5 EV crossover SUV. When it first revealed the new MG 4, MG didn't show off its interior or detail any specifications. Instead, it simply said it was the brand's first global model of 2025. Subsequently, MG general manager Chen Cui has confirmed the MG 4 will become 'the world's first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery vehicle', featuring only five per cent liquid electrolyte, according to remarks published by Car News China. Short video clips published on Chinese social media have also shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system' developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supporting Huawei and Apple devices, allowingvoice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. It will reveal more about the vehicle at its official Chinese launch on August 5, 2025, ahead of Chinese sales commencing in September. In China, it'll reportedly be priced to take on the BYD Dolphin directly. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain with a rear-mounted 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the Cyberster, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 which is no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, well ahead of the rival BYD Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
MG 4 EV Urban: New trademark leaves door open for second electric hatch
The MG 4 isn't going anywhere, says MG Motor Australia, but it could be joined by a newer electric hatch. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. Such a name would be a fairly logical choice for an electric hatch MG recently revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, distinguishing it from the existing MG 4 that the company's local arm says isn't being discontinued. MG wouldn't confirm whether the new electric hatch had been locked in for Australian release, nor whether it could wear the MG 4 EV Urban nameplate. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. "MG regularly trademarks names for potential future vehicles. As we continue to expand our range in Australia, It's important to maintain flexibility," an MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. "No decision has been made to use this name in Australia. "The current MG 4 is not going anywhere and no decision has been made yet on the alternate model," the spokesperson added, when asked whether the company had locked in the new electric hatch for our market. It's worth noting that of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. When the new MG 4 was revealed in March, MG Motor Australia said it was "reviewing this new model and considering it for the Australian market" – something it says is still the case – and that should it come here, it wouldn't replace the current model. The spokesperson also noted the new car, despite being revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, rides on a different platform from the existing MG 4 which uses the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform shared with the MG S5 EV crossover SUV. When it first revealed the new MG 4, MG didn't show off its interior or detail any specifications. Instead, it simply said it was the brand's first global model of 2025. Subsequently, MG general manager Chen Cui has confirmed the MG 4 will become "the world's first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery vehicle", featuring only five per cent liquid electrolyte, according to remarks published by Car News China. Short video clips published on Chinese social media have also shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system' developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supporting Huawei and Apple devices, allowingvoice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. It will reveal more about the vehicle at its official Chinese launch on August 5, 2025, ahead of Chinese sales commencing in September. In China, it'll reportedly be priced to take on the BYD Dolphin directly. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain with a rear-mounted 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the Cyberster, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 which is no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, well ahead of the rival BYD Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: The MG 4 isn't going anywhere, says MG Motor Australia, but it could be joined by a newer electric hatch. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. Such a name would be a fairly logical choice for an electric hatch MG recently revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, distinguishing it from the existing MG 4 that the company's local arm says isn't being discontinued. MG wouldn't confirm whether the new electric hatch had been locked in for Australian release, nor whether it could wear the MG 4 EV Urban nameplate. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. "MG regularly trademarks names for potential future vehicles. As we continue to expand our range in Australia, It's important to maintain flexibility," an MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. "No decision has been made to use this name in Australia. "The current MG 4 is not going anywhere and no decision has been made yet on the alternate model," the spokesperson added, when asked whether the company had locked in the new electric hatch for our market. It's worth noting that of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. When the new MG 4 was revealed in March, MG Motor Australia said it was "reviewing this new model and considering it for the Australian market" – something it says is still the case – and that should it come here, it wouldn't replace the current model. The spokesperson also noted the new car, despite being revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, rides on a different platform from the existing MG 4 which uses the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform shared with the MG S5 EV crossover SUV. When it first revealed the new MG 4, MG didn't show off its interior or detail any specifications. Instead, it simply said it was the brand's first global model of 2025. Subsequently, MG general manager Chen Cui has confirmed the MG 4 will become "the world's first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery vehicle", featuring only five per cent liquid electrolyte, according to remarks published by Car News China. Short video clips published on Chinese social media have also shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system' developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supporting Huawei and Apple devices, allowingvoice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. It will reveal more about the vehicle at its official Chinese launch on August 5, 2025, ahead of Chinese sales commencing in September. In China, it'll reportedly be priced to take on the BYD Dolphin directly. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain with a rear-mounted 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the Cyberster, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 which is no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, well ahead of the rival BYD Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: The MG 4 isn't going anywhere, says MG Motor Australia, but it could be joined by a newer electric hatch. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. Such a name would be a fairly logical choice for an electric hatch MG recently revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, distinguishing it from the existing MG 4 that the company's local arm says isn't being discontinued. MG wouldn't confirm whether the new electric hatch had been locked in for Australian release, nor whether it could wear the MG 4 EV Urban nameplate. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. "MG regularly trademarks names for potential future vehicles. As we continue to expand our range in Australia, It's important to maintain flexibility," an MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. "No decision has been made to use this name in Australia. "The current MG 4 is not going anywhere and no decision has been made yet on the alternate model," the spokesperson added, when asked whether the company had locked in the new electric hatch for our market. It's worth noting that of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. When the new MG 4 was revealed in March, MG Motor Australia said it was "reviewing this new model and considering it for the Australian market" – something it says is still the case – and that should it come here, it wouldn't replace the current model. The spokesperson also noted the new car, despite being revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, rides on a different platform from the existing MG 4 which uses the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform shared with the MG S5 EV crossover SUV. When it first revealed the new MG 4, MG didn't show off its interior or detail any specifications. Instead, it simply said it was the brand's first global model of 2025. Subsequently, MG general manager Chen Cui has confirmed the MG 4 will become "the world's first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery vehicle", featuring only five per cent liquid electrolyte, according to remarks published by Car News China. Short video clips published on Chinese social media have also shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system' developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supporting Huawei and Apple devices, allowingvoice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. It will reveal more about the vehicle at its official Chinese launch on August 5, 2025, ahead of Chinese sales commencing in September. In China, it'll reportedly be priced to take on the BYD Dolphin directly. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain with a rear-mounted 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the Cyberster, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 which is no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, well ahead of the rival BYD Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: The MG 4 isn't going anywhere, says MG Motor Australia, but it could be joined by a newer electric hatch. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. Such a name would be a fairly logical choice for an electric hatch MG recently revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, distinguishing it from the existing MG 4 that the company's local arm says isn't being discontinued. MG wouldn't confirm whether the new electric hatch had been locked in for Australian release, nor whether it could wear the MG 4 EV Urban nameplate. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG 4. Click here to get a great deal. "MG regularly trademarks names for potential future vehicles. As we continue to expand our range in Australia, It's important to maintain flexibility," an MG Motor Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. "No decision has been made to use this name in Australia. "The current MG 4 is not going anywhere and no decision has been made yet on the alternate model," the spokesperson added, when asked whether the company had locked in the new electric hatch for our market. It's worth noting that of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. When the new MG 4 was revealed in March, MG Motor Australia said it was "reviewing this new model and considering it for the Australian market" – something it says is still the case – and that should it come here, it wouldn't replace the current model. The spokesperson also noted the new car, despite being revealed wearing the MG 4 nameplate, rides on a different platform from the existing MG 4 which uses the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform shared with the MG S5 EV crossover SUV. When it first revealed the new MG 4, MG didn't show off its interior or detail any specifications. Instead, it simply said it was the brand's first global model of 2025. Subsequently, MG general manager Chen Cui has confirmed the MG 4 will become "the world's first mass-produced semi-solid-state battery vehicle", featuring only five per cent liquid electrolyte, according to remarks published by Car News China. Short video clips published on Chinese social media have also shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system' developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supporting Huawei and Apple devices, allowingvoice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. It will reveal more about the vehicle at its official Chinese launch on August 5, 2025, ahead of Chinese sales commencing in September. In China, it'll reportedly be priced to take on the BYD Dolphin directly. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain with a rear-mounted 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the Cyberster, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 which is no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, well ahead of the rival BYD Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from:
The National
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The National
MG 7 2.0T road test: Sporty sedan is a cut above the norm for its price
In a bygone era, MG was known for turning out characterful and engaging roadsters that were nonetheless blighted by being rust-prone, leaky and generally unreliable. The formerly ubiquitous MGB exemplified all these traits. Today's MG (under the stewardship of China's SAIC Motor since 2007) sits in a different universe, having traded in the romanticised charm of the marque's yesteryear offerings for practicality, impeccable build quality and keen value for money. Although the modern-day MG line-up is primarily SUV-focused (with combustion-powered models, hybrids and EVs making up the mix), a stylish recent addition is the MG 7 sedan, offered with a choice of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbo engines. Its tapered surfaces and a broad footprint endow the MG 7 with a pleasingly dynamic stance, and its eye-catching visuals alone could be enough to lure some buyers. There's more than a hint of Audi A7 in the MG's profile, and that's no bad thing. MG 7 pricing in the UAE starts at Dh95,445 for the entry-level 1.5-litre turbo, rising to Dh117,059 for the significantly more potent 2.0-litre turbo flagship. Its price point puts the MG 7 in the same ballpark as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima et al. We tested the 2.0-litre range-topper, which thrashes out 261hp and 405Nm, eclipsing even Volkswagen's Golf GTI hot hatch, which cranks out 245hp and 370Nm. Our seat-of-the-pants impression is that the MG would dispatch the 0-100kph sprint in just over six seconds. That said, the nine-speed auto tends to be a bit lazy in Normal mode and overeager in Sport, so you're stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place. This is by no means a deal breaker, though, and it's easy to adjust your driving style accordingly or use the flappy paddles to shift manually. The MG's steering has a pleasing crispness and heft, and the throttle and brake pedals are also progressive and well weighted, contributing to a confidence-inspiring connection between car and driver. Road and wind noise are well suppressed and ride quality is decently compliant without reducing the car to a roly-poly blancmange. The MG 7 is entertaining to hustle across winding roads – up to a point. Fling it into corners with moderate vigour and the sedan remains composed and faithfully tracks the intended line. Push harder than this and the front wheels scrabble for grip. Considering the MG 7's keen price point, the standard of fit, finish and materials inside are better than the norm for its segment. Our test car was swathed in a dubious shade of mauve leather/suede upholstery, but even the garish colour didn't overly detract from the cabin's aesthetic appeal. There's an expansive Mercedes-esque glass display panel that sits atop the dashboard, and this houses both the digitised 10.25-inch virtual instrument cluster, as well as the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment screen is generally intuitive to use, but among the annoyances is a seemingly pointless birds-eye graphic of the car that pops up on to the screen – overriding the navigation map – whenever you approach a junction. This necessitates a click on the screen to get rid of the graphic and get back to the map so you can see where you need to go. There's also a plethora of irksome warning chimes and beeps that I needed to quickly deactivate to ensure I didn't blurt out a stream of colourful expletives. On the plus side, the seats are comfy and supportive, and six-way electrical adjustment means you can easily conjure up an agreeable position behind the wheel. Boot capacity of 450 litres is reasonable, but by no means class-leading for this segment. That said, luggage space can easily be extended by folding down the rear seats. Overall, the MG 7 earns a thumbs-up as its svelte looks, borderline premium cabin ambience and equipment levels are a cut above the norm for its segment. Its performance and driving dynamics, too, are commendable for its price. The MG 7 might not be as characterful as the venerable MGB, but it's a far superior car.
Nikkei Asia
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Nikkei Asia
Volkswagen to shut joint China plant with SAIC Motor
The Nanjing plant was built in 2008 and has a maximum annual production capacity of 360,000 vehicles. © AP EIKI HAYASHI and TOMOKO WAKASUGI FRANKFURT, Germany/SHANGHAI -- Volkswagen will close a Chinese vehicle assembly plant operated jointly with state-owned SAIC Motor in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, as the German automaker tries reversing a slide by restructuring in the market that accounts for roughly 30% of its deliveries. The Nanjing plant was built in 2008 and built such gasoline-powered vehicles as the flagship Passat and budget brand Skoda's Superb. It has a maximum output capacity of 360,000 units a year. But its utilization rate had fallen because of declining sales, and production was later halted.
