The Chinese MG, the tomb of the former British car company, has so far focused on SUVs with internal combustion or plug-in hybrid drives in the Czech Republic. Now it comes with its first electric car, the compact hatchback 4. And similarly to the SUV, also in the case of the rival VW ID.3, MG bets on an attractively low price tag, which undercuts even electric cars in a class below.
The compact MG4 is the brand’s first electric car in the Czech Republic, but not abroad. There, they also have a battery-powered small SUV ZS or a compact station wagon 5. Incidentally, Octavia’s second-named rival will head to the Czech Republic in a few weeks, but its prices remain a secret for now.
Looking at the pricing policy of the new MG4, it can be estimated that even an electric station wagon could bet on at least an interesting entry fee. The 4287 millimeter long five-door compact hatchback, a direct competitor to cars like the VW ID.3 or Renault Mégane E-Tech, starts at 779,960 crowns. At the same time, the two named rivals do not get below the million mark, as you can see in the table below in the text.
There are actually only two electric cars in the Czech Republic that are cheaper than the MG4: Dacia Spring and Fiat 500e, but both of them fall into the city car segment, and in addition, due to their use, they have a smaller battery and a shorter range.
The Chinese hatchback is based on a battery with a usable capacity of 50.8 kWh, which is enough for a range of 350 kilometers on a single charge. In addition, the entry-level version has an electric motor with a power of 125 kilowatts and a torque of 250 Newton meters. A smaller battery can be charged with a maximum of 117 kilowatts.
The larger battery, which has a different chemical composition (a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt, the smaller battery is lithium-iron-phosphate, both manufactured by CATL), has a usable capacity of 61.7 kWh, which is enough for a range of 450 kilometers. Both range values apply according to the European WLTP cycle. With a larger battery, the power has also increased to 150 kilowatts, it can be recharged at a maximum of 135 kilowatts. MG also says that 222 kilometers are available in 16 minutes on a fast charger.
Comparison of the base MG4 with selected competition
Model Power Battery/range Basic price MG4 125 kW 50.8 kWh/357 km CZK 779,960 Citroën ë-C4 100 kW 45 kWh/350 km CZK 884,900 Nissan Leaf 110 kW 39 kWh/285 km CZK 859,000 Opel Mokka-e 100 kW 45 kWh/338 km CZK 939,990 Peugeot e-2008 100 kW 45 kWh/341 km CZK 910,000
With a larger battery, the price and equipment also increase. Because the MG has fixed equipment levels, the basic Emotion is offered only with a smaller and higher Elegance only with a larger battery. The price for a longer range and better equipment is 884,960 crowns, i.e. 105,000 crowns more than the basic model.
The brand is also preparing a top Luxury version with a range slightly reduced to 435 kilometers, similar to the attractive orange color from the promotional photos, but it will appear at dealers later. It should be added that both versions offered are rear-wheel drive, but the arrival of a model with two electric motors, i.e. with all-wheel drive, should also be in preparation.
Extended range MG4 comparison with selected competition
Model Power Battery/range Basic price MG4 150 kW 61.7 kWh/450 km CZK 884,960 Kia Niro EV 150 kW 64.8 kWh/460 km CZK 1,294,980 Nissan Leaf 160 kW 59 kWh/385 km CZK 1,070,000 Renault Mégane E-Tech 160 kW 60 kWh/450 km CZK 1,205,000 Volkswagen ID.3 150 kW 58 kWh/426 km CZK 1,110,900
The equipment will include, for example, seven-inch digital alarm clocks in combination with a 10.25-inch central touch screen. There will also be assistance systems such as emergency braking with detection of pedestrians and cyclists not only in the forward direction, but also when reversing, as well as adaptive cruise control or an assistant for driving in a queue. On the contrary, the classic start button is completely missing. The moment the sensors recognize that the driver is sitting in the seat, fastens the seat belt and then presses the brake pedal, the car starts.
Apparently only for the highest equipment will remain the dedicated V2L function known from Hyundai and Kia models: this means the possibility to use energy from the battery to power household appliances. Television, grill or even a kettle. The MG4 can power appliances with a maximum input of 2.2 kilowatts.
In addition to the interesting price tag, MG will also bet on size and interior space. The wheelbase of 2705 millimeters is longer than, for example, the Renault Mégane E-Tech, but the VW ID.3 exceeds it by a few tens of millimeters. The trunk of the Chinese electric car can hold 363 to 1177 liters of luggage, which is roughly comparable to that of competing models. The MG4 doesn’t have a frunk, i.e. the trunk under the front hood, even though it sits on a platform designed exclusively for electric cars.
The first cars will reach customers at the turn of May and June, i.e. in about two weeks. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, MG would like to sell around a hundred electric hatchbacks annually. A warranty for seven years or 150,000 kilometers could also be an enticement.
